Page 25 of Ravage

Fine.

What a weird way to describe the fact that I just killed someone—again.

Grey nods. "We did too, but they were no match for us."

Theo squeezes my hand again and I tug him toward me, forcing him to sit on the bed. Grey, realizing my intentions, slowly lets me go, shifting to make room for the three of us.

I shuffle backwards until my back hits the wall, bringing my knees to my chest. I can't bring myself to tell them what happened—any of it. All I can do is focus on the fact that I'm safe, and the validation of that little inner voice that they came for me.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Theo asks quietly.

Shaking my head, I force myself to smile at him. "Not right now."

He nods in response. "We're here when you are ready."

They each grab one of my hands, clutching them tightly. I let them, a wave of exhaustion starting to creep over me as the fight-or-flight adrenaline wears off.

"You need to get some rest," Grey mutters. "You can come to my room if you like. Theo can stay too. We'll have Jillian program the door so no one gets in. I'll stay awake all night if it makes you feel safer."

"You need sleep too," I mumble sadly. "I don't think they will come find me here. Not tonight at least."

"Or ever," Theo snaps. "Never again."

My lips twitch at his words, a smile fighting to appear despite my current state. The validation is everything I need right now. I know I need to learn to cope on my own and not rely on others, but in this second, I cling to it. I hate having to ask for help—almost as much as I hate having a need for external validation. I used to believe it was setting me up for failure, to have my heart broken. But now I know that's not true.

Dr. Smith was right—it's normal to have connections. We need them to survive. Trust will strengthen over time, but the first step is accepting that I have needs as a person… and there's nothing wrong with that.

"Tomorrow is going to be bad," I murmur. "I wonder what bullshit they will spin about it."

Grey leans his head back against the wall. "Arthur and Alexander are masters at covering their tracks."

"Vivian was down there," I tell them, watching as they both look at me.

"We thought as much," Grey answers. "That will definitely be a PR crisis for Lilydale."

"I have no sympathy for them," Theo grumbles. "Let them panic about it."

I glance at Theo curiously, realizing that there's a lot I don't know yet. But it's a conversation for later, all of us needing sleep.

We wait until Damon returns—because truthfully, I need to know that everyone is okay. Thankfully, they are, and the confirmation eases some of my guilt.

The three of us head to Grey's room, Theo dragging his own mattress in as we create a makeshift double bed on the ground. Without exchanging words, I find myself in the middle, flanked by the two of them as we lay on the hard ground.

I was worried that I wouldn't be able to sleep, reliving the horrors. But surprisingly, once I am in my cocoon, surrounded by them, I drift straight off to sleep.

I'm not sure what wakes me up.

My body still aches and screams with exhaustion as sunlight fills the room. When I roll over to my left, I notice something missing—or someone.

Immediately, I jolt upright in a panic, noticing the empty spot.

"He'll be back," a voice murmurs from behind me. "He's just gone to see Damon."

An arm snakes over the dip of my waist, pulling me backwards into his chest. I relax a little, shifting slightly to mold myself further into Theo's body.

"When did he leave?" I ask, eyelids feeling heavy.

"About fifteen minutes ago."

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