Page 81 of Make Me Lie (Rich Demons of Darkwood 1)

I could feel Cain watching me, his gaze like fingers up my spine as my knees went weak.

There was a man on the screen, bound and tied. I’d been there that day.

He was the man I’d broken apart to protect Stellan and Sophia.

I’d helped my father more than I ever wanted to.

The Demon moved into the scene, smiling and handsome, his hair gray at the temples by now. The man thrashed and begged.

“Come here, darling. Don’t be shy,” The Demon said.

The music started up then. I remembered putting the record on the record player, stalling, taking my time setting the needle. Then I’d come to my father’s side.

I stepped into view, and I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn’t need to watch it to know what happened. But how much of the scene was there? How bad was it?

I had to see how they were taking it. I opened up my eyes and met Cain’s, which were quiet and judging. A look of horror wrote itself across Stellan's face. I couldn't bear to watch the video. Besides, it was everywhere; I’d look up the transcript later, find out just how visible I was.

Instead, I watched their eyes as every spark of care they'd felt for me faded.

I fled back to my room and slammed the door. I sank down in front of it, burying my face in my hands.

I’d lost my second chance when Aurora became connected to Delilah. But then I’d started to feel as if I did have another chance, in a way, with these men by my side.

It was all over now.

24

Aurora

Icame back to my room defeated. There hadn't been anyone to let me into the Sphinx, the guys obviously having decided I no longer should be helped. I'd had to wait by the door for someone to come back from class and then I'd booked it into my room, unable to deal with the whispers and taunts for one more fucking second.

"Out of the darkness and into the light, to all that is good and all that is bright," I whispered to myself, the meditation mantra, one that I hadn't had to use for a long time.

But it was necessary now. Because just when I'd thought things were beginning to get better, everything had crashed down around me.

I couldn't tell you what I'd been taught today. The only thing I'd heard were all the voices calling me murderer, over and over again until I couldn't remember if I was or not.

And the scary thing was, that had only been ten minutes of video. What would happen if more of those recordings were revealed?

I didn't think the protection I'd been given for turning my father in would stand. When they saw those tapes...they'd know I was a monster.

Liquid dripped on my arm and I realized that I was crying. I was always so surprised to see my tears. It felt like it had happened a lot here, but before...I'd never cried.

I'd never been allowed to.

To find out that I was capable of crying was still shocking to me every time it happened.

"Out of the darkness and into the light, to all that is good and all that is bright," I whispered again, desperately.

A knock sounded on the door and I flinched like I'd been hit. What was it now?

"Aurora," Remington's voice purred through the door. "Sweetheart, open the door."

A sob hitched from my throat, and I don't know why I did it—I must have lost my mind, because I opened the door and let him in.

"Come here," he said, opening his arms wide. I threw myself into his arms, desperate for at least a small smattering of comfort from the day

I sniffled into his chest, and he stroked my hair, holding me tightly in his arms.

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