Page 25 of The Black Lotus
Of course, she had to steal my stocking when I couldn't even get to the next clue until morning.I angrily kick my shoes off, watching them bang against the wall hard enough to dent the sheetrock. “Fuck!” I roar, my blood boiling. I stomp up the stairs, Serena hot on my tail.
“It’ll be oka-”
“How? How will it be okay?” I scream at the one lifeline I have left. I wince, instantly regretting my rage, knowing I messed up when Serena’s eyes darken a shade, her jaw clenching and her hands fisting.Probably to stop herself from hitting me. My shoulders slump.Fuck.
My face softens, and I reach out to touch her. “Serena, I’m-”
She flinches away. “Don’t,” she warns. She shoulder checks me walking up the stairs to our room before slamming the door shut.
Standing on the stairs, I gather myself, calming the fire inside. I should not have lashed out at her; she was only trying to help calm me down, but when strangers touch my things, take what belongs to me, I lose all sense of control. I inhale a deep breath and rasp my knuckles against the door, the only warning I give her before stepping in.I’m surprised she didn’t lock the door.
“Serena. I’m sorry.” She looks up, eyes glassy, anger still brewing within them. “If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay right there.”
Leaning up against the doorframe, my head tilted to the side, I give the best puppy dog eyes a ruthless killer like me can muster. She giggles a little but quickly covers it up and her scowl returns.
“Come on, Serena. You know you can’t stay mad at me.” I move towards her.
She crosses her arms and looks away. “Watch me.”
I stride towards her and sit next to her on the bed. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you.”
“No. You shouldn’t have.” She looks up at me and cups my cheek, her delicate fingers resting lightly against the small stubble of my beard. “I know you’re upset. I promise we will get your stocking back and kill whoever that girl is.” Her nails dig into my face. “But if you ever lash out at me like that again, you will be the next one to bleed.” She drags burning lines across my cheek, her fingertips red. “And it won’t end with your dick shoved inside me. It will only be pain.”
I shiver at the thought of Serena in control, picturing her making red seep out of my body. My dick hardens against her ass, my body desperate for the release I know only she can provide. She tries to get up, but I pull her onto my lap and tighten my hold.
“If it earns me your forgiveness, you can cut me until nothing but your anger coats my body.”
She shifts her weight, accidentally grinding against my erection.The last thing she needs is my cock buried in her tight cunt.What she needs is my reassurance, my apologies, and my arms holding her until dawn breaks.
Pulling her off my lap, I tuck her in under the covers and then join her in bed. Wrapping my arms around her waist, she places her hand over my bicep, tugging it tighter into her. The one thing we need is sleep, to wake with a clear mind in the morning and start on our revenge.
No one threatens me. No one will get my vixen. Everyone will die. Blood will rain and peace will follow.
ELEVEN
ASTER
The zoo doesn’t open until nine, but I woke Serena up at seven. I had to dodge a pillow being thrown at me, but since it was almost an hour away from us, she got up. The sun is high in the sky, beginning to melt yesterday's snow, and I’m grateful. The zoo doesn’t open if there’s any snow, and I probably should have called before we made the drive, but all rational thoughts went out the window. I just want my damn stocking back. I grip the steering wheel tighter as my foot presses on the accelerator.
Serena is drinking her iced coffee and researching the park itself, seeing what animals are there, where the exits are, and the different places one could hide for a sneak attack. I am overwhelmed with pride as I reach over and grab her hand, brushing my thumb over her warm skin. She looks over at me and smiles, squeezing my fingers before going back to her research. She’s hopeful this is where we will find the girl and my belonging, but I know better. This is just the first stop to get us to our bloody destination. Call it killer's intuition, but I have a sinking feeling that this killer likes to play games.
We both sit up straighter when the signs for the zoo come into view, heading towards the parking near the giraffes sinceit has the most opportunities for a quick getaway. Seeing the parking lot empty makes my stomach drop. Even before the zoo opens, there are usually people waiting to get in before the rush.
“This was a mistake,” I say, hand on the gearshift, ready to reverse out of the parking lot.
“Aster, wait!” Serena yells, placing her hand over the wheel and pointing at a man walking out from under the awning, holding a sign and waving at us with a haunting smile.
Gritting my teeth, I find the closest parking spot, and as much as I want Serena to stay in the car, I know she won’t. I reach over and grab her hand to help ground me. “Are you ready for whatever trap we’re about to walk into?” I ask, squeezing her hand tighter.
“I’d walk into the flames of hell for you.” she says, kissing my knuckles as she gets out of the car, and I meet her on the other side.
We walk up to the guy and I shield Serena from his eyes and reach, doing everything in my power to keep her safe. He's wearing a zoo uniform with no name tag and a hat pulled low over his face, holding an envelope that saysOpen Me.Never dropping his creepy smile and without fully showing his face, the guy hands me the piece of paper and walks away. Serena and I look at each other, both confused, but she urges me into opening the paper.
We both read the words with bated breaths.
Congratulations! You found the next clue and are one step closer to getting your stocking back, and I’m one step closer to killing your pretty girlfriend. The zoo is deserted, you can thank my friend for that. I told him I’d give him a cut of the money from your girl's head, and well, he agreed.People will do anything for money! It’s time you and I took this little game seriously! Here’s your next clue:
This creature is your favorite, cuddly but deadly. A face of innocence with claws ready and willing to rip your throat out.
