Hearing the shower running, I notice light coming from under the bedroom door, casting shadows throughout the room. I open the door, step inside, and sit on the sink. Orion has his back to me, but I know he heard me come in, because he speaks.
“Go lay down, Evelyn. Please.”
I feel tears brim at his words. He sounds annoyed with me, making me feel annoyed at myself for being weak. Opening the door, I step out, intending to go back downstairs.
Thaddeus rolls over, his hypnotic green eyes glow as he watches me, making me freeze. He tosses the blanket back, and I think he will get up until I realize he wants me to hop in with him. I look toward the door and turn toward it, about to go downstairs, but then I stop and look back. He is still watching, waiting to see what I will do, and for some reason, I feel drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
“Please, just sleep. We won’t let anyone hurt you,” he whispers.
He says that, but how safe am I sleeping in a bed with two monsters? Yet, they feel safer than my mind does. Walking over, I climb in and feel him pull the blanket up. He rolls on his back and closes his eyes. His bare side touches my arm, sending sparks to my neck, making me relax slightly.
I sit there for a few minutes and hear the shower turn off, making me sit up on my elbow, looking at the door. Thaddeus shifts slightly, making my eyes look down, and I see he is watching me closely. I lay back down and put my head on his chest. He takes a breath in, and I feel him relax. Then, I feel his hand rubbing my back and finally, my eyes get heavier as I fall asleep.
Orion
Walking out of the bathroom, I slip into the walk-in. Evelyn’s scent is strong in the room, and I quickly put on some clothes. When I walk out, I notice something move out of the corner of my eye on the bed. Walking over, I feel relief flood into me when I see Evelyn is asleep. Thaddeus’ green eyes stare up at me, and he shrugs, shocked himself.
He moves over, pulling her with him and makes room for me. I lay next to her, feeling relaxed. Her racing heartbeat and frantic emotions have had all of us on edge. Thaddeus the most because he hasn’t fed, and I can tell he wants to mark her. Evelyn has relaxed, and I know it’s because she allowed him to be close to her.
Thaddeus is usually a man of few words. He usually takes what he wants without question or permission. The last few days, he has been on edge, wanting to force her to tell us, but Ryland and I have held him back each time.
He doesn’t want to scare her, but it’s killing him not knowing. Once they fall asleep, I walk downstairs and head to the library. I sit for a few hours reading, trying to consume my mind with anything other than Evelyn and my mates.
Hours tick by, and the sun comes up. I stay quiet as I walk upstairs, not wanting to wake them. Evelyn moves, and Thaddeus’ grip on her tightens. She snuggles into him, and I drape my arm over her and Thaddeus. Nothing feels righter than having them all in the same bed, yet I also know it won’t last.
Evelyn will wake, and everything will come back. Whatever it is will make her plummet. We have a rough idea based on her feelings, but we can’t understand her guilt. I pray that sleep finally helps her, helps her mind clear of whatever it is.
When I was in the city, I sent a message to Amara. Thaddeus will be angry when he finds out, but he will forgive me. He always does.
Amara is one of his weaknesses. His little sister brings out a protective side of him, just like Evelyn does. Only, she knows what he is like, and usually, he distances himself from her, going years without speaking to her.
Sometimes, I feel his jealousy over her, jealous that she is the good one. Thaddeus tries to be good, but everything he touches turns to dust by the time he is done with it. He destroys everything and implodes on himself.
He never feels guilty for his actions, never sees the repercussions of his destruction, and continues to destroy everything he comes across. He doesn’t even know what he is looking for, but I feel the urge to find it and leave him with Evelyn by his side. This is the longest we have stayed home. Usually, we last two days max before he has us searching and moving from city to city and country to country, leaving destruction everywhere he goes.
Two broken people found each other. This will either be the best thing that happens to them or the worst and most dangerous thing. Unfortunately, not all things broken can be fixed. No one can go back and change the past, but maybe the future?
I hope they can change the future; Amara always says nothing good will come of Thaddeus if he can’t find his way back, and that our future is uncertain. She once said that he will be our downfall, but she never saw Evelyn in that future. I am curious to know if she could see her now, see her a part of our world, or will her demise be at his hands.
I am pulled from my troubled thoughts when I feel her waking, Ryland is stirring, and a feeling of unease settles over him. Thaddeus’ eyes open as he peers down at her with a frown on his face. Her eyelids move as she watches her dreams play out. Ryland sits up and looks over Thaddeus, his eyes resting on Evelyn. He brushes her hair from her face, and I feel her relax under his touch.
One word slips from her lips in her sleep.
“Lana.”