Page 49 of Seeking Shadows

I know the truth. And what’s most frustrating is that she expects me to believe she’s a monster, to tell me things, to ask for my help, to lean on me for something.

“I’m done for today.” I get up and leave before I do something I’ll regret.

CHAPTER 10

ZANE

Mia handedme the pliers.

Her face was blank—beautiful and unreadable in that way she’s mastered. Like none of this touched her. Like it didn’t bother her that we had a man strapped to a chair, screaming in front of us.

She played her part perfectly. Cool. Sharp. Almost smug.

I wanted to believe it was all an act.

I needed it to be.

But when I looked at her, I couldn’t see the girl who used to fall asleep on my chest or kiss me like she needed air. I saw someone else—someone far away.

I could barely watch her do it—torture him. He deserved every second, but still... my head’s a mess. All shades of fucked up.

I threw up.

She tried to comfort me, but it felt like one of her lies—and it’s fucking suffocating me. Her lies.

Reign Mitchel would’ve laughed in that moment—maybe sliced the guy’s throat just for entertainment. But I’m not Reign. I never was. I’m just wearing his skin and trying not to drown in it.

Now I’m in the shower, water scalding hot, fists pressed to the tile as if I can squeeze the guilt out through my bones.

She was teaching me how to torture a man—as if it was just another normal part of her day.

And I still can’t get her to talk to me.

Not really.

She lied about everything. Said she was fine. That she left by choice. That nothing happened. She told me not to come for her.

But she was taken.

Used.

Hurt.

And now she’s pretending like none of it matters. Like I don’t matter.

She pushes me away with a smile.

Turns everything into a joke.

Builds walls with that soft voice and expects me not to notice.

But I see it.

I feel it every time she doesn’t meet my eyes.

Every time she touches me like she’s not sure she’s allowed to want it.

And it’s killing me.

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