Page 37 of Back In the Shadows

The sound of the turn signal filled the car, and then Ryan made a left onto Madison Avenue. He slowed to the mandatory twenty-five mile an hour speed as I stared at the changes in the neighborhood. A handful of memories flashed through my mind, some good and some bad.

“Slow down.” I pointed to the two-story navy-blue home with brown trim. “That’s Dope’s old house. It used to be yellow. I lived with him and his parents after mine died. But you know that already.”

“Did you have good times there?” Ryan asked as he pulled over and parked the car. He shifted into park and let the engine idle.

“I had a few, but not many.”

“Makes sense. I think Sebastian was here most of the time, and you were just starting to appear from what Dope and Kip have told me.”

I resisted shoving my friend’s head into the passenger window. The mere mention of Sebastian sent me into a tailspin, and if I ever met the motherfucker, I would end him. There was only enough room for one of us in Ella’s life. When she needed us most, I was the one who was here.Fuck Sebastian.A pain shot through my skull, and I grunted while I massaged my temple.

Ryan’s eyes widened. “This is not a good time, Sebastian. Don’t fucking do it. Ella is counting on you staying put for now.”

“You’re a crazy motherfucker if you believe I’m buying that shit that he and I are the same person,” I snapped.

“Doesn’t matter what you think right now. We have to find Ella, so deal with it.” Ryan shifted the car into drive and slowly steered the car to the end of the street.

I glanced at Ryan, then said, “The pain in my head is gone.”

“Good. That means he heard me. I’ve never been able to talk to him before when you’re Death, so something is definitely changing with the two of you.”

Ryan could think whatever the hell he wanted about Sebastian. I had other plans for the fucker who thought he could share a bed with my little lamb.

18

ELLA

Xavier sang as he descended the stairs and into the kitchen. “I’m back. Are you hungry?” He set a few overflowing bags on the dirty counter.

“I’m starving.” My legs were cramped up, and I hoped he would let me out soon. “Can I help you put the groceries away?” It was strange how an ordinary chore meant something special to me now.

He turned slowly, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I’ll let you help, but not yet. I have a surprise!”

Dread settled like a heavy weight in the pit of my stomach as his words sank in. I could feel my insides churning, flip-flopping with unease. But I forced myself to nod, watching helplessly as he put away groceries and then disappeared into a hidden room that I hadn’t been shown before. Time crawled by as I waited and wondered what else he had kept secret from me. When he finally reemerged, he set down glasses and filled them with milk and then he grabbed cookies from the cabinet with an eerie calmness. My heart raced as he set everything on the table, his every movement calculated and deliberate. My body tingled withan odd sensation as I realized that something was off, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it yet.

After what must have been my first full day in captivity, my stomach growled painfully. I hadn’t eaten since Xavier fed me soup yesterday.

“First a snack …” He rubbed his palms together as if he were planning to take over the world. Sweat dotted my forehead, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand while my pulse raced and I waited for him to make his next move.

His brows creased and he nodded as if someone had just asked him a question, but I didn’t see anyone else. I suspected he was having a conversation with himself. He raced across the room and clapped before he turned on a small stereo. “Breezeblocks” by Alt-J played through the old, dusty speakers, making the song sound tinny and far away.

“I love Alt-J.” His eyes lit up with the music.

“Me too. I guess it’s something else we have in common.” I gave him a warm smile, hoping he was beginning to trust me. The second he let his guard down, I planned on kicking his ass and running for my life. I just needed the right moment to present itself.

Xavier produced the key and slipped it into the lock on my glass cage. Once it was open, he extended his palm, and I took it. I crawled out of the small area, then he helped me to my feet.

“Thank you.” I hated that those words held so much weight. I was truly grateful that I was out of my confined quarters.

He tapped his foot to “Left Hand Free” as Alt-J continued to sing to us. Xavier led me away from the cage, then gently spun me around.

“Dance, Ella. I know you love to.” He cackled as he insisted that I join him.

“How do you know I like to dance?” I asked as innocently as I could while fear and dread consumed me.

“I have eyes everywhere. The cameras that your friend installed? Child’s play,” he explained, pride seeping through his tone. “Signal jammers, loop feeds … your security was good, but I’m better. I spent months learning your routines, your blind spots. My boss taught me everything about staying invisible, plus my childhood instilled that in me as well.”

The music slowed and he pulled me flush against him. I fought back the need to wretch as he pressed his hips to mine.

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