Page 143 of Ink Deep Devotion

Avery steps in front of me, grabs my chin, and tips my face up.“Become a storm. Make your waves.” She releases me.“What you’re doing now is acting like a small wind battering impenetrable walls. It’s exhausting and deplorable. Try something else.” She crosses her arms.

I find my feet remaining still as my ears listen.

“Stop trying to break through his defense. Men like him don’t break. You’ll never get over his walls, either.”

I ingest a stone that feels like it’s attached to my feet, trapping me under a crushing truth.

Avery’s eyes light up the darkness.“But you can getunderhis walls, seep through his mind like water rushes into a crack.Slowly, those breaks will widen until you’re all he can think about again. Then the ball is in your court.” She smirks and steps back, holding my eyes for a moment, then turns and leaves me.

I sink to my knees.

Avery is right.

“You were right. Dash took and took, and now I’m nothing.”

With a rip, she opens the plastic and takes out the needle.“It’s just IV fluids. I’m not here to kill you.” She takes my arm and starts to search for my vein.

“Why are you here?” I’m so confused.

Pinch! The needle breaks my skin, finding its target.“Are you ready to be a storm, or are you just a tiny grain of sand about to disappear in the vast ocean?” She presses tape to the needle, keeping it in place.“Do you want to be buried under the water or rule over it?”

“I…I don’t understand.”

“My time since graduation has been spent assisting those who require help. You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last. I heard about the wedding; then I saw the other photos. Do you want my help or not?”

With my eyes on the door, I see the doctor cross her arms and attempt to prolong the chat with my guard.

“Dash will kill you.”

“If he finds me.” Avery’s lips pull up with sinister flare.

I shake my head.

“Trust me. If you want to escape, I can help you. You’re not the only one here who is about to vanish.”

I swallow, feeling it hit my empty stomach.“And go where?” Can I trust her?

“Next time you go to your art class, excuse yourself and go to the storage room. I can tell you more then.”

She speaks louder,“All set.” She grins as she turns to leave, keeping her eyes down to avoid my guards.

I look at the IV in my arm and then back at the door. I’ve been too trusting in the past and paid dearly for it, but Avery has a vendetta. I saw it the night of The Cleansing.

It can’t hurt to hear her out. Can it?

Chapter 51

Mila

The tips of my fingers are whiter than a Q-Tip as I grip my paintbrush.“I’m going to get a fresh bottle of paint from the supply room.” Why the hell did I just say that out loud?

Oh, thank god! Everyone has their headphones on except for Blaze, who is now looking at me. After everything we’ve been through, his canvas is still stationed next to mine.

I feel like I’m going to vomit as I glance at the door, spotting the four guards who follow me around tighter than the pair of leggings that cling to the curves of my ass. Two of them have their eyes trained on me, and my skin becomes itchy. The other two look out down the hallway.

A muffled noise turns my attention away from the guards as Blaze pushes around the paints in his tray.“If you need a color, you can use mine.” His green eye search mine in the hope that our friendship isn’t completely ruined after that kiss.

“I…” My eyes snap to the supply closet.Is Avery in there?“I’d rather get a fresh tube.” I squeak.

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