Page 40 of Deadly Sacrifice

Finally, footsteps approach from the other side of the door, followed by a thunk noise and then the door swings open.

Asher tilts his head at me, crossing his arms over his chest. “I was right in the middle of something,” he says dryly.

I shrug, pulling my backpack on my shoulders. “And? I’m finished. Was I supposed to wait in here all night until you remembered your hostage?”

He flicks his striking eyes over my shoulder, inspecting my work. When he looks at me again, his face is twisted in irritation. “I’ll find more for you to do tomorrow.”

A laugh bubbles up from my chest as I squeeze past him, patting his chest. “Go for it,” I say lightly, walking down the hall. “If you think making me clean up after you is going to break me then—“

I don’t get to finish that statement when Asher grabs me from behind, clamping his hand over my mouth and fisting the other in my hair. My scream is muffled, but he doesn’t care. Lowering his lips to my ear, Asher whispers, “I can break you any time I want. That’s not what this is. Cleaning up around here is your punishment for slashing my tires, but if you’re going to be a bitch, then I might just end you now and be done with all of it.” He pulls my hair and wrenches my head back further, adding, “It’d be so easy, Prudence. Your skin is so soft and pale. Like slicing through butter. The blood would cover you in seconds, but you’d be dead sooner than that.”

My body deflates at the dark vow in his words. Until this very moment, I hadn’t fully understood the darkness behind his eyes. But now I do.

Asher doesn’t mean to get me kicked out of college.

I think he plans for my end to be much more literal.

When I don’t scream or flail against him anymore, he chuckles, the sound like gravel rubbing me raw. He releases me, and I don’t even look back as I rush down the hall toward the stairs that’ll lead me out of here.

I’m moving so fast that I almost trip over my own feet when Asher says from behind me, “Run, pet. Run as far as you can. And when I decide I’m through with you, I’ll come hunting.”

22

Prudence

It’s been a few days since Asher threw me into his bathroom. He hasn’t made me go back, and I’ve been avoiding him since his nice little death threat, so overall, I’d say things are alright. My knees are still black and blue from that tile, though, like a constant reminder of that dick. But I’m shoving all that out of my mind so I don’t feel snappy tonight. The library is my safe space. I don’t need to bring my bad energy inside.

“Hey, fancy seeing you here again,” I joke, sitting down beside Griffin and letting my small pile of books slam to the table.

He startles, swinging wide eyes toward me, his face sickeningly pale.

“Shit, sorry,” I say with a soft laugh, smiling as I pull my jacket off. But when I meet his eyes again, there’s something haunted swimming in the blue depths.

Griffin blinks hard, dropping his gaze to his trembling hands before balling them into fists and shoving them under the table.

“Hey,” I murmur, turning in my seat to better face him. “Are you okay?” I ask, putting my hand on his muscular bicep.

He jerks away from my touch, nostrils flaring and the muscles in his neck working through a rough swallow.

“Griffin?” When he doesn’t respond, eyes locked on some distant image, I start to really freak out. I reach for him again, but then think better of it, pulling my hands into my lap. I’m silent for a while, just watching him breathe deeply and find some inner calm.

“I’m sorry,” I murmur again after a while.

He shakes his head, barely meeting my gaze as he signs, Don’t be. I was zoned out. Didn’t hear you coming up.

“Is it… I mean, it’s none of my business, but…” I trail off, shrugging awkwardly while I try to find the right words. “I get panic attacks. Not as often anymore, but trauma can sneak up and remind you it’s there at any time. So I need to be more aware of that and announce myself better around you.”

Griffin blinks through the last of whatever had gripped him. He grimaces, shaking his head again. I’m fine. Really. His cheeks have the faintest blush, like he’s embarrassed about it, so I don’t dwell, even though I still feel bad.

We fall into a semi-comfortable silence for a while, waiting for the library to close. I do my best to look busy, flipping through the few books Griffin had brought to the table before I arrived. As the librarian rings her bell and begins her rounds, I turn to him with a giddy feeling in my stomach. “It’s go time. Grab your stuff, follow me,” I murmur, picking up my backpack.

I lead him up to the second floor, both of us ducking behind the stair banister every time the librarian looks our way. We quietly sneak into the men’s restroom and I almost burst out laughing when we shut the door behind us.

“Holy shit, I wasn’t sure if that would actually work,” I breathe through an airy laugh.

Griffin raises his brows, looking at the door and then back at me before signing, There’s not even a lock. Anyone could find us.

I shrug. “She never checks the second floor. I’ve been watching her do her rounds until the very last minute every night, and I’m confident she never comes up here. We just have to wait for her to clear out, and then we’ll have the entire place to ourselves.”

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