Page 50 of Prey

At the silent stare Marie continued to give, I opened the barrier and she immediately swept past me. As I shut the door, I noticed her nails were slightly elongated. It went to show just how off her mental stability was. Marie was upset, and not just a little.

“I ask that you reconsider your plans for Tessa.” Her eyes cut over, but went back to staring at the floor. “I ask…I ask…” Again, she came to look at me. “I had a dream.”

It wasn’t a secret that Marie had visions like Julius. It was what almost had her taking my position, despite that I was stronger. Hers weren’t as accurate as Julius’, but pretty damn close. It was enough to have me stepping closer.

“What did you dream?”

Marie sniffled, wiping her eyes before the tears could escape. “War comes.”

My head shook. “We’ve known that now for hundreds of years.”

“Soon,” she emphasized. “Like…really soon. I don’t know exactly when, but I know Tessa is alive when it happens. God, she looks so different. If you could see her…what the fuck happens?”

I couldn’t stop my eyes from widening. “So, she lives? Does she kill me?” Dammit, I couldn’t breathe. Julius was right. I was going to die.

Marie glared. “Would I be asking you to rethink your plans for her if you were dead?”

“Wait.” I moved in closer. “You mean, we’re both alive?”

“Marko! Pay attention. That’s not even relevant. You love her, yes?”

I opened my mouth, only to close it. “No. It’s the bond. It’s not real.”

“Good. Then give her to me,” Marie sobbed. “If you kill her, or keep her, we’re doomed. We may be doomed anyway.”

“What are you talking about?”

There’s a monster who wants her. A human. I can’t see his face. Just the one he paints on.” She shuddered. “If you make her your slave or concubine, he will take her. And he will kill her. She will die, Marko, right in front of you. And it will destroy you. Then, we will all die.”

Marie brought her hand out toward me. “Watch it. See it. You have to see!” Hysterics were setting in and I couldn’t stop the uneasiness at witnessing her so upset.

“I don’t want to see.”

“Marko. Please. You have to watch it.”

My head shook slowly and I stepped further away from her. “You have to stop worrying. She will not live past tomorrow. Tessa will die and there will be no war.”

“She will not die, Marko. You may, though. Your future is not for certain in my dream. Tessa’s is, but not yours. That could have been me taking your place. Or Julius. Anyone watching Tessa get killed, for all I know. Just because I assumed it was you means that you taking that position is not certain. You know that and so do I.”

“So, if it could have been you, why should I give my permission to allow you to take her as your slave? Then that means it’ll happen for sure.”

A hiss came from her mouth and she let out a small scream. “I don’t know! They never make sense. All I know is that man is going to kill Tessa and we’re going to lose. I don’t want either to happen.”

“They’re not going to, God dammit. Hunter won’t kill Tessa because I’m going to kill both of them myself. Now, leave my room and get yourself ready. We feed soon.”

Marie took a few steps and stopped. “Tessa could very well kill you. Just so you know, my money is on her.”

“Then you’re going to lose. I don’t have plans on going anywhere. Better remember that.”

Marie’s lip pulled back in anger. “Neither does she. Brace yourself, Marko. Our girl has more strength than you know, and quite the trick up her sleeve. I bet you won’t even see it coming.”

My door slammed behind Marie and I walked to the bed, collapsing on the edge of it. I leaned forward, burying my fingers in my hair. Damn women. Why were the two who held the most presence in my life determined to kill me?

I tuned into Tessa, despite knowing I shouldn’t. I’d done so well with beginning to ignore her that now I was starting to think it had been a mistake. She could have been plotting my murder this entire time and I would have missed it.

“Red or black? Hmm...” She paused, leaving a moment of silence. “Black. Marko would like the red too much.”

My eyes rolled as I fell back to the bed. Maybe Marie was right. Sure, Tessa loved me in the way of the bond, but if it were more, she’d have chosen the red so she could please me. Why couldn’t she love me that much? I probably would have done it for her if I knew she liked something…which is why I’d probably be the one who died. Fuck. She won. I did love her more than she loved me.

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