Page 83 of Of Mercury and Mist

I knew,I knew, Isaac had seemed too familiar. His mannerisms, the things he said, his obsession with cleanliness and appearance. Micha had stolen and slipped on someone else’s identity and inserted himself straight into my life after soundly throwing me away and pretending I’d never existed. I’d stood there crying in the restaurant, heartbroken and pathetic, and he’d let me suffer.

And of all things he had the nerve to buy me. He’d purchased me—a human being. Who does that? While yes, I’d volunteered, it just felt wrong when it came to Micha.

How could I have been so blind. How could he?

I ran as fast as I could in my heels before I ripped them from my feet and tossed them to the side. The dress was long enough no one should notice, and the floor clean enough that as long as Micha didn’t kill too many people, my feet should be safe.

Kill.

I’d stabbed him right in the heart. What would Josiah do to me? I’d be hunted by every supernatural creature in the area, and possibly beyond. I’d killed one of their elites. Or, at least, gravely injured one. I knew the amount of blood that ran down his chest was too much to endure. My medical knowledge was pretty close to zero, but I knew he’d be lucky to survive the wound.

Taking deep, measured breaths, I perused the crowd and darted toward the center, hoping I’d blend in with the others. There was nowhere for me to hide, no where I could go they wouldn’t find me. I was at a total loss and had none of my support system.

Andy was out of the question; he’d be killed or try to involve others and still end up dying. Karissa couldn’t help me, and I wasn’t positive we were close enough friends to ask her for help in this type of situation. How would I explain vampires and demons were real to her?

I spun around, considering my nonexistent options and then I pulled out my phone. I had to tell someone, let somebody know what happened.

Micha disguised himself as someone named Isaac and bought me for several million dollars. Then I stabbed him in the heart. I don’t know if he’s alive.

He finally listened to me about what really happened and how I never stole anything or ever intended to, but it was too late.

I’m leaving, but I don’t know where I’m going. Love you.

After I hit send on the texts to Della, I spotted Samuel. He was across the way, and he hurried toward me.

“What are you doing? You look like your favorite person died,” Samuel said. “Come.”

He led me to the side of the room. “I can’t be here; something happened. Can you get me out of here and take me to that place? I don’t know where else to go,” I begged, not knowing what else to ask for. “I need somewhere safe.”

“Of course, sweetheart. Take my hands.”

I placed my hands in his, my chest still aching. I wanted to be back with Isaac. I wanted to punch Micha in the face.

I wanted none of this to have happened.

How could Micha do this to me? How could he live with himself? Clearly, it was easy. As easy as doing whatever the hell he wanted to do, whenever he wanted to do it. It was too late to forgive him now, and too late for him to forgive me. There was no coming back from stabbing someone like him directly in the heart. If these men would kill an employee for stealing, how would they react to attempted murder?

The only reason I’d texted Della the truth was because she was my best friend and deserved to know. She’d find out eventually anyway, but it was better she heard it from me. I wanted her to know my side of the story.

My anger over the whole situation sat burning bright and hot in my chest. My feelings for Micha were complicated but they were intense. I’d never met a man before that I could both hate and love in equal measure. How could a man be so remarkable and thoughtful, and yet be the biggest asshole you’ve ever met in your life? If he wasn’t dead, I wanted to stab him again, so he knew how I felt.

The disoriented feeling I remembered from the last time swept over me when I felt the floor change beneath my feet. This time, we were in a building rather than the woods or the mansion.

“What is this place?” I asked as Samuel let go of me.

“My home. You’ll be safe here while you figure out what you want to do.” He beckoned me with his hand to follow.

We were in a living room with walls made of granite brick, reminding me of a castle. The ceiling was tall, and I guessed about twenty feet high. A ten-foot fireplace was roaring in a corner with a black wrought iron gate guarding it. A pleasant warmth emanated across the room, curling around my bare feet as I padded across a plush, woven rug. A wood-trimmed sofa sat against one wall with two matching armchairs facing it.

A full suit of armor stood sentinel over the space, the style one I wasn’t familiar with. The helmet bore jagged vertical spikes jutting up into a crown and the shoulders, knees, and elbows featured similar aspects. “Is this yours? Did you wear it?” I pointed at the costume.

“An ancestor did though today’s uniforms are much the same.” He strode over to the exhibit. “The sword isn’t ceremonial.”

He held it out for me, and I grasped it, promptly dropping the tip to the floor and barely hanging on. “Oh my God, I had no idea. This is heavy.” I struggled to lift it and hand it back and laughed. “Help a girl out?”

Samuel grinned and easily lifted the blade, slotting it back into the armor. “You need to exercise.”

“I know,” I groaned. “Just don’t ask me to lift anything heavy.”

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