Page 72 of Tainted Serenity

Daxton’s face is full of regret as he takes in the way Grey holds me, his arm protectively draped across my shoulder, and I watch as Daxton’s Adam’s apple bobs.

Without saying another word to either of us, he walks over to the corridor we entered earlier, poking his head out. We all hold our breath as if to hear if someone is outside, and when we hear nothing except water drops falling from the ceiling some distance away, we can finally breathe again.

Daxton takes quick strides over to the door further away in the morgue as he starts working on the lock pad. He was right before—it is loud to unlock it—the sound blaring throughout the morgue in vibrating waves. If we would have tried to open it when the guards approached, we would have been discovered immediately.

I feel a cold touch against my cheek, and I startle before realizing it is Grey. His eyes flicker with worry, and I take a moment to ground myself by looking into those beautiful sapphire eyes; it feels like I’m staring right into something reminiscent of a sea of crystals, the waves washing over in violent manners.

I would let those dangerous waves take me under, as long as I am with him.

Words simply are not needed between us. Our eyes say a lot; it tells me the tales about how much he cares about me and how he would do anything for me. His thumb strokes my lip, and I never blink as I look at him, taking in his beautiful, handsome features I haven’t been able to properly take in for many months. I could only imagine them when I was sitting propped up against the wall, drowning in my loneliness.

Now I see him; truly see him. I see him more now than I did before, and it all feels so dangerous. It makes my stomach flutter with beasts whose sole mission is to cut open my entrails and let me bleed.

I stare at his face, letting my hand trail up over his muscular upper body and not caring that Daxton is one meter away, trying to open the door.

Taking in his sharp cheekbones, I remember the first time I laid eyes on them, convinced they were crafted by a master artist. I lift my hand, moving instinctively to rest against his cheek, tracing his chiseled jaw that looks as if it can withstand any force. Maybe it can. Grey has been through a lot, and yet he is still here, fighting life every day precisely like me.

He leans closer to me, kissing me with the promise of an eternity together if we survive this. I can feel his hard body pressing against me as he claims my mouth, sending tingles throughout my body. His lips are against mine, and it is the only thing I can think about while everything else disappears. All I know is his body close to me, all I can smell is his familiar scent of dark florals and something earthy, like damp woods. He teases me into compliance while his tongue finds mine, taking whatever he wants without taking a breath, and I give it to him.

Grey Madden is a dangerous poison to me—lethal, even. He makes something visceral come to life within my soul, enchanting me into a warped and maniacal state of mind.

Yet, he is the one I crave the most.

When he breaks away from the kiss, he holds his hand around me, gripping my waist and causing his veins to stick out, my mouth watering.

The lock pad beeps, and a green light fills the room. Daxton looks at us again, motioning for us to follow after him, as if entirely unbothered by our make-out session.

“Thank you,” I lean up to whisper in Grey’s ear, and he gives me a puzzled look.

“For what?”

“For silencing the demons in my head.”

He kisses my forehead with such tenderness that it makes me want to cry and let out all of my emotions again.

“Always, little doll. I will always be the one silencing your demons. Slaughtering them.”

We come to a part of the castle that leads outside, and the cool wind immediately grips a hold of my dress, causing my body to shiver.

The view is spectacular, and I hate feeling like this in a place that only relies on torture and manipulation. I see the forest that envelops the building in a massive force, and further in the distance, I can make out the imposing wall that prevented us from escaping last winter. It is such a contrast to being outside now, and the fresh air feels unwelcome as I breathe it in, taking in the scent surrounding us.

The last time I was outside, the world was covered in a grotesque layer of white snow, making it impossible to see any other color. Now, shades of green reflect back to me despite the darkness, and it feels much less cold. I do not even know what season or month it is, but it can’t be winter anymore.

“We have to hurry up,” Daxton says, his voice carried away by the wind.

I stay close to Grey, scared that if I let go of his hands, we will be separated once again, and then we follow after Daxton. This part of the castle rests upon a hill, as if the entire structure was built in a fascinating way where one side is on flat ground and the other slopes upwards. What adds to the intrigue is the way it appears to recede inward, with darkness concealing what’s inside, creating an even more eerie atmosphere.

We begin our descent, following the cobblestone path that meanders around the castle and its intricate architecture. It all feels too easy, and yet, I can’t fathom what it is. Somewhere deep in the forest, a wolf howls, and shivers spread over my body as paranoia takes over all rational thoughts.

After what feels like many minutes, we arrive at the front of the castle; the night shrouding our surroundings in darkness, yet I still make out what lies ahead.

That is when my heart sinks to the pit of my stomach, something so intense it feels as though my insides are about to be wrenched and twisted, turned inside out.

Because there, at the entrance to the castle, stand multiple guards, a formidable force that outnumbers us.

Chapter 28

Naya

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