Page 13 of The Night Runs Red

“Will it always be like this?” I asked Jasper as we stood outside my door. I looked up at him, knowing he was the closest thing to a friend or ally I had here. Even if he was the right-hand of the devil.

Jasper paused, cocking his head to the side. “What do you mean?”

Instinctively, I wrapped myself in a hug, seeking comfort no one else could provide. “You know what I mean. Rion hates me, and don’t deny it because it’s written on his face every time he looks at me. You know, it’s not like I chose this. I don’t want it any more than he does.”

Emotions I didn’t want to think about sharpened their claws in preparation to fight their way to the surface. This was no way to live; I didn’t want to spend my life walking on eggshells with a man who carelessly crushed everything beneath his feet. But fate was, frankly, a bitch. I had no other choice.

“He already told me he has no plans of changing how he leads his life—the women, the parties, whatever. Don’t get me wrong, I had zero expectations of us falling in love and living happily ever after, but I expected something dammit.” My voice faltered as I fought to keep my rising emotions at bay.

These were the moments I craved my mother’s love. To know that despite whatever happened, I would be okay. But I hadn’t felt comfort like that since she died, despite my aunt generously attempting to ensure I never went without. Nothing had been the same since I woke to the sound of sirens and pained screams echoing through the house.

“Calia,” Jasper whispered, taking hold of my hand and running his thumb across my skin.

I shook my head furiously, tugging out of his grip. “I don’t want your pity, Jasper.”

He studied me under furrowed brows, undoubtedly contemplating what to say that wouldn’t have me locking myself away and never coming out again, before he spoke. “Look, I cannot pretend to understand the extent of the animosity between your families, but you are not just a spectator, Calia. You hear me? You are something special—a key component to fixing the fucked-up status between our people. And Rion knows that, but he is horrible at showing it.” Jasper placed his large hand on my shoulder, his touch lingering before he pulled away. “It will get better. I promise.”

It was easy for someone on the outside looking in to believe that, but I wasn’t so sure. “How can you promise something like that?”

“Because I will beat the shit out of him if it doesn’t,” he said with a smile.

I couldn’t help but laugh, letting the tension I’d been holding onto roll off. “I don’t think you’re allowed to do that.”

“I have been his friend longer than I have been in his employ. I’m entitled to some job perks, and this happens to be one of them,” he said, shrugging. “Now try and get some more sleep. I have a feeling he will call soon just to be an ass and will not let you rest until you have memorized every inch of this isle.”

* * *

Jasper had been right.

Not even an hour later, there was a knock on my door, and a large, folded paper slid under the opening. I hadn’t gone back to sleep, instead curling up on the armchair on the balcony as the sun rose into the sky. The air was so much clearer than in the city, even though I could see the skyscrapers from across the lake.

It might have actually been beautiful if it wasn’t tainted by a D’Arcy sized dark cloud hanging over my head.

I walked over to where the note lay and unfolded it. Something I regretted as soon as I did. Someone, and I had a decent idea who, had drawn a map leading from my bedroom to the kitchen.

In case you get lost.

– R

Arrogant ass.

It didn’t take long to get ready, slipping on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt before snatching the note off my dresser and heading to the kitchen. I rounded the corner, instantly halting as I sensed his presence.

The bane of my existence was sitting against a small breakfast nook in the corner, the connecting panes of frosted glass and thick metal grilles which created a golden aura haloing his figure. He seemed more like a god than a monster, and for just one moment, I didn’t stop myself from staring.

Dark hair curled around the nape of his neck, still wet from a shower. His broad shoulders took up most of the space on the other side of the table as he fingered the rim of his coffee cup. He wore a navy button-down shirt that was tucked into heather grey slacks. Both were fitted to his body with extreme precision and left no mystery to the physique he had underneath.

He paused, turning toward the windows. The muted light danced across his face as he closed his eyes. For just a moment, I saw a glimpse of a man I wanted to know. Did he wish to step into the sun like the rest of society? Did he feel a disconnect in his soul like I did by not being able to be amongst the stars?

“It is not polite to stare, you know,” he mused, focusing his gaze back on the tablet in front of him. “But I am feeling generous, so please continue.”

Did I say I wanted to get to know him? Because I’ve changed my mind.

I approached the counter, staring at the fancy coffee machine near the stove. “How do you work this thing?”

“I have absolutely no idea,” he drawled, taking a long sip from his mug.

Fine. If he wanted to be a smug bastard, he was entitled to do so. But if he thought it would get a rise out of me, he was mistaken. Even if my only reason was to keep the moral high ground. That would quickly crumble if I couldn’t figure out how to work this damn machine. After nearly five minutes of pressing buttons and turning dials, I began to smell the bitter aroma I craved.

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