Page 26 of Of Mercury and Mist

He knew me too well. That’s what happened when you’ve known someone almost your whole life. They knew the ins and outs, the tics, the tells. It was hard to hide from him.

Too bad I couldn’t tell him I’d become a monster’s pet. I’d gotten to the point I wanted to smash my head into a brick wall while at the same time spreading my legs and saying, “Come and get it.”

My response to the man was getting more and more confusing. His little spurts of affection in between the abusive episodes were screwing with my head, hardcore. I could swear I saw a lot more than just hatred in his eyes. There was plenty of lust in them, but when he let his guard down, there was so much more. And it was killing me. To top it off, he’d kissed me, and I’d responded like a bitch in heat. If he hadn’t kicked me out, I would’ve jumped right into his bed.

I wasn’t dumb enough to ignore the fact it was probably all planned, and he was grooming his victim, but I couldn’t dismiss the heat, longing in his gaze, or the electricity between us as we made out like teenagers.

Andy’s gaze contained zero heat even though I was half-naked in front of him. And therein lie one of the biggest problems in the romantic relationship we’d tried to participate in. We were more “bros” than anything else, it seemed like.

“Get out, I need to go to bed,” I said. “No, wait. Have you seen Karissa?” I’d murder Micha with my bare hands if he’d laid a finger on her.

“She’s at a tea party at the Victorian House, I guess. That’s what Mike said.”

“Oh.” At least she was safe. I chuckled under my breath. Not shocking the girl would be at a tea party. Micha wouldn’t dare go after her while she was hanging out with a group of old ladies, would he? The Victorian House was a fancy tea house that, according to Karissa, had live violin music she really loved.

“What now?” Andy asked.

“Nothing,” I replied, shaking my head. “Good night.”

If Karissa might be in danger, did that mean Della was, too? Guilt by association. My thoughts devolved rapidly, imaging scenarios where she’d get blamed. She had higher clearance than me, working with Josiah. If I could’ve, I would’ve asked Micha, but I didn’t dare give him any ideas. He seemed to have enough bad ones already.

Grabbing my new cellphone, I dialed my best friend. It rang and rang. Her voicemail was full, unsurprisingly. The number of messages I’d left her had probably done the job. I shot her a quick text telling her to call me immediately. No response. Next, I typed “SOS”, and still, nothing.

It didn’t make any sense; completely unlike her. I was starting to suspect Micha had something to do with it.

He was so close with Josiah that people thought they were twins. It didn’t help they had similar features, with their longish dark brown hair, sculpted faces and sharp features. They both looked regal and appeared imposing, but the beauty was wasted on devils.

The two of them probably compared torture notes and collaborated.

My brain had gone there, but I knew Della was happy. I’d seen her happy. She was in love, and Josiah showered her with affection and anything her beautiful little heart desired. I’d witnessed it, hanging out with them. She was most likely the happiest girl on the planet and seemed oblivious her love’s best friend was Satan in the flesh.

Della had tried asking me about Micha before, but I hadn’t said a word. The man had it out for me for a while now and I’d handed him my life on a silver platter. It was to the point I had a very vivid nightmare about him having fangs and biting me right on my boob.

Della and I had always loved horror movies, watching nearly every single one upon release. It now seemed I’d watched too many, if I was getting turned on by being torn apart. I told myself it was a nightmare but the state of my body when I’d woken up suggested more of a wet dream than a horrifying vision. It was probably my love of adrenaline because that dream was the most thrilling thing to happen to me in ages, even if I’d thought for a moment I was about to die.

Maybe going back to work with Andy, Mike, and Vincent wouldn’t be so bad. Jail or death? It should’ve been an easier decision, but I wasn’t known for always making the right ones. And that’s what kept me from returning. I’d get in trouble again, my wild streak landing me in a car crash, jail, or worse.

The fact I was self-aware enough to be a responsible adult was what saved me. At thirty years old, I wasn’t a kid, no matter how sophisticated Andy tried to convince me their operation was. A peaceful, calm life was what I needed to strive for. I wasn’t going to be like many of the kids I grew up with, their lives ruined by crime and drugs. Some never outgrew it or escaped the life. I’d managed to through sheer force of will and ambition.

The only thing I could do right now was try and hang on until Della and Josiah got back. I’d spill my guts to her, and she could get Josiah on board to protect me after I explained what happened. If Micha wouldn’t listen, Josiah had to.

It had to work.

Satisfied I had a plan, I climbed into bed. Perhaps it wasn’t the best plan, but it was all I could come up with.

Tomorrow, I could look for more angles, plan for contingencies. It’d be Saturday and I had nowhere to be. I had time.

* * *

Something tickled my nose,causing me to stir. As I brushed it away, I opened my eyes. There were no fancy tassels in my room and the sight of one had me sitting up and sure enough, I was back in the fancy bedroom with all of its Gothic splendor.

The mystery pajamas were back as well, the long silky gown a startling difference to the scratchy cotton shorts I normally wore. Shamefully, I’d gotten up around midnight and dug in my trash can for Micha’s shirt and put it on becausewhat the fuck is wrong with me.

Remembering it now, I had to chalk it up to the stressed out and exhausted state I’d gone to bed in. It wasn’t because he smelled amazing, and I now longed for his touch. Definitely not because I wanted him to play with my hair again.

Or kiss me again.

Or do so much more than that.

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