Page 209 of Deviant

“Shouldn’t that be my line?” He chuckles.

“I couldn’t wait,” I reply, wiggling my fingers to remind him I’m still waiting for his answer.

Elias takes my hand and pulls me into his chest, his arms wrapping tightly around my waist, leaving me with little room to breathe, let alone dance. Yet somehow, we find a way, gentlyswaying from side to side to the soothing melody of “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

But as the song continues to play, a certain melancholy begins to take over.

We wasted so much time… so much precious time. We wasted it on people who didn’t deserve our affection. We wasted it on feeling sorry for ourselves and our actions. We wasted it on revenge and suicide plots. If only we had taken that time to see what was right there in front of us. Maybe we would still be back at Blackwater Falls, living for tomorrow instead of dreading the coming hours.

“I wish—”

“I know, Roe. I know.”

A sad smile curves on my lips, recalling what Harper had once said about couples who finish each other’s sentences.

“She was right, you know?”

“Who was?” he asks softly, his gaze never wavering from mine as we continue to slow dance.

“About you being theone.Theonefor me, at least. You always saw me for who I was and not who I pretended to be. You never treated me with kid gloves, nor have you ever made me feel like I couldn’t face my fears on my own. You always challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and made sure always to empower me, even when protecting me. I’m so grateful for you, Elias. So grateful to have been fortunate enough to have this time with you, no matter how fleeting.”

“Say the words, Roe. I want you to say the words.”

“I love you. I think I always have.”

His eyelids close as if savoring my words and committing them to memory.

And when they open up, I see the future that could have been ours if only we weren’t hours away from death itself.

“Harper loved her trashy magazine factoids, but there was one thing she said that always stuck with me,” he starts, his voice low and gentle. “She said that when we die, we have seven to ten minutes to relive all our best memories. If I should fall tonight… if I should fail us, then I want you to know that those last brief minutes will be filled with images of your face. I love you, Roe. I will continue to love you long after my heart stops beating.”

Tears start to silently fall as I stare into the eyes of the only man who has ever loved me for who I truly am, and whom I love with every fiber of my being

And when he leans in to kiss me, I grab on tight, and I kiss him with all of my soul.

If tonight is the night we die, then at least I can take some small comfort in the fact that we’ll die together.

Chapter 38

Rowen

Our first and only date night is cut short when Henry knocks on the door, telling us it’s time to start our final trial. Unsurprisingly, both David and Mackenzie are already waiting for us in the entry hall, David in a black suit and crutches while Mackenzie dons a pale pink princess dress with a tiara on her head to boot. Maybe I should be glad that she’s dressed for a ball and not a hunt but knowing Mackenzie that dress and heels won’t dismay her from her objective, which apparently is killing me.

“Please follow me into the courtyard. I will deliver your instructions at the gate.”

Elias grabs my hand as we all leave this house of horrors, knowing it will be the last time we ever set foot in this place.

David trails behind us while an over-eager Mackenzie skips in front.

“Remember what I told you,” Elias whispers low enough for neither to hear.

“I’m having a hard time remembering my own name right now, Elias. Can you be more specific?”

“If we ever get separated from one another, I want you to run and find somewhere to hide. Stay in that spot, and I’ll come find you.”

I swallow hard and give him a nod.

“Good girl. Remember… survive the night, and I’ll make sure that by the end of it, you see God.”

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