Page 31 of Hell Hath No Fury

“Not too long ago. You were sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to wake you.”

Lowering my hands from my face, I slowly lean toward him, managing a small smile. “Well, that’s appreciated.”

His hand strokes over my bare shoulder, and I meet his gaze steadily. “I heard you’ve made some new friends.”

I nod, my smile broadening. “Several, actually. It’s been a nice surprise.”

“Anyone I might know?”

“Well, since you said you’ve never lived in the area before, I would think not.”

“Anyone you’ve met before?”

I laugh and shake my head. “Since you yourself have told me I have never lived around here, that would really be something, wouldn’t it?”

He’s watching me intently. I take a deep, cleansing breath, expelling it slowly, uncertain what to say next.

Then he saves me the trouble by asking, “When did you remember?”

I press my lips together, taking a moment to swallow the suddenly painful lump in my throat, knowing how I respond in this moment will set into motion an uncertain game of dominoes. Finally, I whisper, “Just now, only a few moments ago, it occurred to me that I am not where I belong.”

He moves slightly closer, and I’m confused that I don’t flinch or have the uncontrollable urge to move away. Then he says quietly, “I won’t hurt you.”

A hollow laugh falls from my lips. “But you already have.”

“I saved you.” His words are firm as if he truly believes this initial savior moment absolves him of his many crimes since that moment.

“Saving someone only to then turn around and force them into a reality that is not their own doesn’t make you a hero.”

A glimmer of shame dances across his features, but just as quickly as it’s there, it’s gone. Then, his lip curls, and he makes a sound of disgust in his throat. “So, you’re saying better death than this reality?”

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I guess that depends.”

“Depends on what?”

“Depends on what happens next.”

“Nothing’s going to happen.”

“You can’t truly believe that,” I reply incredulously. “They’re going to come for me.”

He shakes his head and scoffs, “No, they won’t. If they were going to, they would have already.”

“What are you talking about?”

“They’ve known you’ve been alive for ages. And then, even after I waved you under their noses, still, they did nothing.”

A chill falls over me. I see the truth in his eyes, but I also know just because he believes it, doesn’t mean it’s gospel. “But Dari—“

“Turned his back on you,” he interrupts. “He looked right at you and then right through you. Then he turned his back on you and walked away.”

I ignore the stabbing pain in my guts as I watch him watching me, taking note of the smugness in his expression. “Are you going to let me go?”

“Not a chance.”

“So, I’m a prisoner?”

“Only if you choose to be.”

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