Page 26 of Exile
There's a wetness under my fingertips on Grey's back as I dig my nails in, earning me a low groan as he jerks hard into me, his release coming out of nowhere.
Behind me, my other hand fists Theo's hair, and in any other circumstance, I'd worry about hurting him with how rough I'm pulling the strands. He just growls deep in his chest, arms crushing me against his body as he joins us in the climatic bliss, stilling while he fills me like Grey.
And that's the last thing I remember. Grey takes me into his arms as Theo bends down, retrieving something from the floor. There's a quick clicking sound and a flash of light in my direction, and then I pass out.
Chapter 10
Avery
I had missed the boredom from classes, only just now relishing the monotone script Charmaine recites as she talks about biology.
Out of the corner of my eye, Grey twirls his pencil, focused on our teacher as she slowly paces the front row while holding open a textbook.
I have to give her credit. After everything that has gone down recently, Charmaine is holding it together. But there's still an air of tension emanating from her, bags under her eyes as she drones on.
Part of me wonders if she's tired and stressed because of the situation in general, or whether she holds concerns for her own life.
Death is normal in Lilydale—a concept I knew from day one. But lately, it seems as if that's all there is here. We're in some fucked-up version of reality, staff and patients constantly dropping dead by various means.
I don't think Charmaine has anything to worry about though. Most of the recently deceased had reason to bekilled—be that their behavior or their actions. As long as she's not fucking Arthur now that Teddy is dead, she's safe.
Her back turns to face the front of the room, and a hand reaches out, squeezing my thigh. Smiling, I turn my head to spot Grey watching me, still lazily toying with his writing instrument.
He winks when he has my attention, giving me another grab further up my leg before sitting back in his seat.
Yesterday is still playing on repeat in my mind, and by the sultry glances he gives, I think I can assume the same about him.
After our library mischief, I spent last night texting Damon. I've never known someone to get shot and still act completely unfazed. He likes to be kept up to date, though there's little information to provide at the moment. According to him though, no drama means something is brewing. And I'm inclined to agree.
We currently have the society searching for answers on the new missing patients. So far, we've managed to narrow down the patient count to four. Given how many people were lined up for their bullshit excuse to bribe patients into being tortured, it only feels like a small positive. Four out of ninety-nine patients is such a tiny percentage, but after experiencing first-hand their inhumane methods, it may as well be everyonemissing.
My stomach is in knots with worry. Lilydale's gen pop count is minimal, easy to tell when something is out of place since everyone knows everyone.
When I heard the names of missing patients, it took all of my willpower not to vomit everywhere. Two guys and two girls—unlikely to be a coincidence. Nothing is accidental in this place. Even worse, it's Siobhan and Eliana that are missing. I may not know the women in depth, but I've had enough interactions with them to make the judgment call that they wouldn't do something like this if they knew the truth.
Siobhan can be a little unstable at times, but she's not going to torture herself. Maybe after her brother's passing she was a little off the rails, but it's not characteristic of her to go and do something rash like this. Eliana has always been so sweet toward me, a friendly face who keeps to herself and befriends everyone. It wouldn't make sense. Plus, they speak to Vivian. I have no doubt that she would have relayed her experience to them as a warning.
So, where are they?
I feel eyes burning on me, an uncomfortable feeling niggling at my insides. That's how I know it's not Grey burning holes in the side of my face. His heated looks always cause an intense reaction, but not like this.
Twisting my head, I spot eyes watching me from the back of the room. Rian Thatcher doesn't slink away at all when I catch him. Nor does he show any reaction. He just continues to stare at me with blank, deadeyes.
Grey, sensing my movement, turns to me with a puzzled look of question, before following my line of vision. His pencil stops twirling in his grasp, stilling as Rian's gaze shifts from me to Grey. Finally, Rian loses interest, turning his attention back to Charmaine as she saunters down our aisle.
"Eyes up front, Grey," she scolds gently, whacking him in the head with the textbook. "You too, Avery."
Now I feel multiple sets of eyes on me, my cheeks reddening as I face the front. As she continues her path, Grey looks over at me, cocking his eyebrow. No words need to be spoken between us, his eyes asking the silent question. I just shrug in reply.
I have no idea why Rian is watching me. There's been something off about him since the day he arrived. I know Damon and Grey have kept a close eye on him, and despite assuming he had some sinister motives orchestrated by Whitface, he hasn't really been a threat to us.
Yet, at least.
We need to keep a closer eye on him. I know all too well what it's like to be threatened and bribed by Whitface, especially as the new kid on the block. But Grey was quick to remind him of proper etiquette.
Still, I can't fight the feeling that perhaps we have more enemies than we realize. People will do almost anything when they are desperate to survive. Damon may have most of the power, but he doesn't have the ability to offer any of these people what they really want.
I make a mental note to discuss it with Grey when class is over, and as usual, we're on the same wavelength.
