Page 42 of Nemesis

Reverence can be manipulated far easier than fear.

Sure, her brother and his two friends are talked about in similar regard, but I never found it easy to play nice with other men. Not when they think they own the town. That just doesn’t sit right with me. Arrogance isn’t to be rewarded.

Leaving the house behind, I kick off my shoes and shed my clothes. I make a beeline for the water, enjoying the push of breaking waves against my shins, then my thighs. My hips. When I’m deep enough, I dive under an oncoming wave and swim out.

I’m going to find you, Reese.

And Artemis is going to help me. Willing or not.

11ARTEMIS

Just do it.

Taking a deep breath, I peel the bandage off my shoulder.

“What the fuck?” I stare at my skin, then meet my own damn gaze in the mirror.

Because I’ve been duped. Tricked. I rip the last corner of the bandage off and ball it up.

There’s nothing but damn red scratch marks in my skin. No ink to speak of—nothingexcept a few spots where pinpoint-fine dots of blood have welled up.

I sat through that tattoo. Ihurtthrough that tattoo. I questioned what he was going to put on me, and a sad part actually was thrilled that he would want to do it. Even under the circumstances.

I grit my teeth, only pausing for a moment before lurching out of the bathroom and striding across my condo to Saint’s room.

He’s going to pay for this.

I hammer my fists on his closed door. Impatience takes over, and I shove it open without waiting for his reply.

And stop dead.

He’s sound asleep.

Itisa normal time for people to be sleeping, I guess—a little past one in the morning—but I’m wired for the night. The room is dark, save for the path of light that cuts across it and shines on his face.

The peaceful face of someone with no worries.

Not sleeping anyway.

The furrow between his brows that I’ve grown so accustomed to seeing is smooth, his lips barely parted. Earbuds play piano music that I can hear—tinny but audible. They must’ve easily blocked out my pounding.

Irked and caught off guard, I waver in the doorway.

When’s the last time he actually slept?

Even though he’s probably going to go deaf from listening to music at such a loud volume.

I heave a sigh. He did this to irritate me—to get a rise out of me. And it worked. Which means I one hundred percent cannot give him what he wants.

A reaction.

Stepping back, I slowly close his door again. Leaving him to his dreams. Or nightmares.

Instead of going to bed, I change clothes and head down to my bike. It’s that or drink, and I don’t want to be that person.

The city is quiet. Everyone is sleeping, even the college students. I whip past the university, heading into West Falls. This side of town was once ruled by the Titans, and now it feels unusually tense.

I don’t see the truck in time.

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