Page 10 of Ever Dark

I flash him one of my famous grins. “He needed to feel it from me. I didn’t like the way he was insinuating that I’m just some rich guy.” I grab Bones by the shoulders and give him a gentle squeeze. “They need to fear me as much as they do you. If not more. Otherwise, I’m nothing but a cock in a suit.”

He chuckles, satisfied with my answer as he pats me hard on the back. “Thatta boy. We should fuck up people together more often.”

I nod and light up a cigarette. Cool as a fucking cucumber, even though I’m shaking inside.

He loves fighting. He gets off on it. I do too. But the difference between me and him is I won’t be able to stop myself once I get going. I was playing with fire today, even doing what I did. If Bones hadn’t been there to witness… Clive would’ve been nothing but a pile of bloody mush.

I wave him off and flick my cigarette into a puddle before hopping back into my limo. “Home now, Rodrick. Slow down when we pass Harker Mansion. I want to enjoy the view.”

I roll down the window and bask in the crisp autumn breeze. I take a big gulp of it deep into my lungs. We wind through the dark dirt roads away from town. The tree line gets thicker, the leaves and branches shading the road like a sinister force. Rodrick slows the car when we approach the outer edges of Harker Mansion. Fromhere, I can see the lights of the house glowing from every window. A shiver rolls through me.

Locked behind thick iron gates, it sits like an ancient tomb. Surrounded by poison and shrouded in darkness where the particles of light don’t reach. This has become the purpose of my existence. The very disease that works its way into my bones, rotting away my flesh. I will not rest until I get my hands on that fucking baneberry.

“Deep breaths, Mr. Blackwell. Like we practiced,” Rodrick coaxes.

I nod and count to ten as I inhale and another ten on the exhale. “You know you can call me Dray when no one’s around,” I quip. “I’ve been telling you that for years.”

Rodrick has worked for my family since before I was born. He was just a boy when he came to Blackwell Manor. Now, at the ripe age of fifty, he’s the epitome of professionalism and loyalty. But at times, he was like a father to me. And he’s coaxed me out of more than one panic attack over the years.

He clears his throat. “You’re not a boy anymore. You’re Mr. Blackwell. That’s what I’ll call you. Sir.”

I chuckle. “Whatever you say, old man.”

His smile reaches his eyes in the rearview mirror. “With all due respect, sir. I am fifty years young.”

I laugh out loud at that. And sharp as a fucking whistle. “That you are, my friend.”

I take one last glance at Harker Mansion before it disappears on the road behind us. The farther we get, the calmer I feel. I know my reprieve won’t last, but now that Rodrick has guided me down from the ledge once again, I will sleep a little better tonight.

Well, after I polish off a bottle of gin and jerk myself off to the memory of my mystery girl again. Fuck me.

There is no true rest for the wicked. No hope for the depraved.

MIA

When I open the door, my breath hitches. Standing on my porch is the most angelic-looking man I’ve ever seen. With ice-blond hair slicked back off his forehead, still showing off the wave of it, and blue-green eyes that sparkle like two lagoons, he could make anyone melt on the spot. He towers over me by at least a foot and a half. I gaze down the length of him, taking stock of his broad shoulders and thick arms held snug inside his expensive designer suit. My heart flutters when he flashes me a grin.

“It’s Mia, right?” He sticks out his hand. “You probably don’t remember me. I’m Aries Thorn.”

I feel my cheeks flush when his hand clasps around mine. “I… um. No, I don’t remember anyone here. I was just a baby when I left.”

He grimaces, remembering something about my past that I don’t have any recollection of. “Such a tragedy what happened to your parents. I’m sorry for your loss.”

I shrug, but I can’t tear my eyes away from his. “That’s okay. I never knew them… Is there something I can help you with?”

His charm falls right back into place. “May I come inside? I’d love to discuss an important matter with you.”

I shouldn’t let a stranger into my house, but his name is synonymous with Ever Graves. His family is rich, powerful, and well-respected in Melancholia society. I step back and motion for him to pass. “Of course.”

I catch a whiff of something familiar as he walks past me. Something sweet and heavy and pungent. It lodges in my throat and makes me cough for a second. I’ve smelled it before.

“I’d offer you a drink, but I don’t have anything stronger than tea or coffee.” It’s only the afternoon, but I’ve heard how the Thorns like their booze before brunch.

He winks at me. “Have you checked the cellar? That’s where your grandmother kept the good stuff.”

I laugh, forgetting that the people in this town knew her better than I did. It didn’t even dawn on me until now that he’s probably attended parties in this house. This estate is so big, I haven’t even seen half of it in the week I’ve been here. “Show me where that is. I’m still getting the lay of the land.”

He licks his lips, and for a split second, I think I see a ring of light swirl around his pupils. “I’ll lead the way.”

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