Getting up, I sit at the table next to her, and she instantly tries to get up. It angers me how she doesn’t want to be near me. I grip her wrist, making Ryland and Orion stare as she sits back down. Orion, watching her, gives her a nod and slides her plate in front of her.
“Eat,” I tell her. Evelyn picks up the fork, pushing her food around but not eating it. I can feel darkness clouding me, telling me to force her, feel it licking my skin, urging me to make her submit to my demands.
“If you’re not hungry, why don’t you have a shower,” Orion says, his eyes not leaving mine.
I instinctually go to rip her back down when Ryland reaches over the table, grabbing my wrist. The alarm in her eyes entices me, and I know she can feel my aura giving off a deadly vibe.
Forcing the darkness down, I speak through clenched teeth. “Go,” I tell her, and she moves quickly, darting into the room.
Ryland waits a few seconds before letting my wrist go. He sits down and I spear a piece of tomato with my fork, not realizing how much force I use as the plate splits in two. I shove the plate away, get up, and toss the broken pieces in the sink.
“Here, I will make some more,” Orion says, about to hand me his plate. I shake my head, walking toward the bedroom.
Ryland stands, making me look at him. “Thaddeus, you will only scare her more,” he says.
“I don’t care,” I tell him, walking off. I just want to touch her, feel her soft skin under my hands.
“Thaddeus,” Orion warns me as I open the door.
Walking over to the ensuite, I turn the knob, but it is locked. Just like yesterday, I twist the knob until it falls apart in my hand. The door opens slightly, her scent wafts to my nose. I can’t help the growl that escapes my lips, as I push the door open and step inside the bathroom.
Her scream resonates and echoes through the bathroom when she notices me watching her. She turns her back to me, trying to shield herself from my eyes. I notice a large burn on her back that runs from her shoulder to her hip.
“Orion!” she screams, her heart pounding in her chest so hard I worry she might give herself a heart attack. I just need to touch her, just touch her. In a trance, I open the shower door.
Orion steps into the bathroom and leans against the door. “Thaddeus,” he growls, and I growl back at him. I feel the darkness creep in as rage bubbles in my veins. How dare he tell me I can’t have what’s mine?
E
velyn
Escaping the dining room, I have only been in the shower for a few minutes when I hear the bathroom door’s handle snap and fall to the floor. My heart skips a beat when I look over my shoulder and see Thaddeus standing in the doorway. His sudden appearance makes me scream in fright.
I watch as his chest rises and falls heavily with each breath he takes. A growl escapes his lips, and a look of pure desire graces his face. Fear consumes me as his eyes glaze over, turning pitch black. His fangs protrude, forcing his lips to part. Trying to cover myself as best I can, I keep my back to him. Thaddeus walks in, reaching for the handle on the shower.
“Orion!” I scream out to him, hoping he will make him go away.
Orion steps in, leaning on the doorframe, a bored look on his face. “Thaddeus,” he calls to him, and I watch, horrified, as Thaddeus snarls, his face distorting in anger as he turns to Orion.
Orion straightens up just as Thaddeus lunges at him. My scream echoes and bounces off the tiled walls as I frantically turn the water off. I can hear fighting and things getting broken. Grabbing my towel, I wrap it around myself before stepping into the bedroom.
Thaddeus has Orion on the ground, but Orion shoves him off. Ryland walks in and pinches the bridge of his nose. I look to Ryland, but he just shrugs, and I can tell he isn’t going to help Orion.
I watch as Thaddeus punches Orion and somehow flings him into the dresser. Orion shakes himself off, getting to his feet when the lights flicker. My heart hammers in my chest and I find it hard to breathe as I watch them fight each other.
Thaddeus kicks Orion, and he smashes through the wall. Orion doesn’t even have a chance to get up before Thaddeus stalks toward him. Rushing forward, I grip Thaddeus’ arm, trying to stop him when he shoves me away, making me fall onto the carpet at the end of the bed. My body hits the floor with a soft thump.
I gasp and see Ryland move to help me up when Thaddeus’ eyes snap to mine. His entire body turns as he reaches down, grabbing my ankle. I kick at him as I try to scramble backward, clutching my towel to me. Thaddeus growls, and I look to Ryland for help, but he just stands there, confusing me. Out of nowhere, Thaddeus lunges at me. I try to shove him off, and he growls low, making my hair stand on end. His face is in the crook of my neck as he inhales.
When he pulls his face back, I see my reflection mirrored in his demonic eyes. Fear floods into me as I see Orion stand. I scoot back on my hands, but Thaddeus just stalks me, following me. He then knocks me flat on my back, his hands clawing at my towel as his lips and tongue move to my neck. I try to shove him off.
Panic consumes me as I watch Orion and Ryland step closer. They do nothing but watch as he pulls me around like a puppet on strings, forcing my hands above my head. I watch as he lifts his head, as his nose runs across my cheek. I feel my breath get caught in my throat when I realize he isn’t a man at this moment but the monster lurking beneath the surface. The monster everyone fears, The Dark King.