Series: Sean Moriarty
Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113805 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Blood is everywhere now except his chest.
Taking great care, I carve in the singular word that describes him perfectly.
Defiler.
“As you lived is how you’ll die, Kyle, son of Conroy Phillips,” I snarl as blood and spit mixes on my lips.
I move the blade to rest against his throat.
Looking back at Eden, I stare into her eyes, searching for what I purposely avoided.
I can see it now. I see it in the light that shines there.
I see the truth.
10
Eden
Holding his blade to Kyle’s throat, Jude turns his head to look at me.
His eyes burning like black, crackling flames.
That dark thing that always lurks just beneath the surface fully free.
Free and staring back at me.
I’ve been scared shitless plenty of times in my life. More times than I can count.
But the fear I feel now is nothing in comparison.
He knows the truth.
He knows I’ve betrayed him.
I open my mouth, searching for something to say in my defense.
But, as if he was expecting it, the second I do, Jude digs the blade into Kyle’s throat.
Arm tensing, muscle flexing, Jude grinds the blade deep, splitting the flesh open.
Like something out of a horror movie, blood erupts from Kyle’s neck. Spraying in an arc upwards.
There’s so much at first it seems unreal.
And maybe I have a slight concussion from one of the punches I took to the head, but the whole scene starts to become fuzzy and dreamlike.
Almost like I might be imagining this…
Closing his eyes, Jude leans back and spreads his arms wide.
Rejoicing in what he’s created.
Kyle’s body starts to twitch and convulse beneath Jude.
His legs frantically kicking up.
But Jude seems oblivious to it.
His weight alone keeping Kyle trapped and pinned.
Then he starts to laugh.
Nothing is holding me where I am, yet I feel just as trapped. Unable to move. Unable to breathe. Unable to rip my eyes away from the horrible scene.
The laughter bouncing around in my head.
Until Jude suddenly stops laughing and opens his eyes to look at me.
His face is splattered with blood and his eyes seem too bright, too white against it.
I watch him drop the knife while slowly rising to his feet.
And know he’s coming for me next.
The survival part of my lizard brain finally kicking in, I abandon the towel I was clutching to my breasts and grab the wall.
Clawing my way up to my feet.
Nostrils flaring, blood-drenched chest heaving, Jude growls my name. “Eden…”
There’s so much pain and anger in the way he says my name, my heart twists in agony.
Nothing I say or do could possibly make this right.
But I don’t want to die.
Not yet.
Even if I might deserve it…
Tears soaking my cheeks, I shake my head back and forth.
Jude takes one step towards me and every muscle in my body tenses.
Knowing what I mean to do before I even realize it, he warns, “Don’t—”
Springing away from the wall, I make a run for the door.
Just as my fingers wrap around the knob though, I’m yanked back.
A scream rips out of my throat as Jude twists me around to face him.
Out of my mind with fear, I fight him.
Punching.
Kicking.
And screaming like my voice is capable of hurting him.
His hands sticky and wet, Jude struggles to get a firm grip on me.
Kyle’s blood allowing me to slip free.
Over and over, he says my name.
But I’m so afraid, so hysterical, I don’t hear him.
Until he shoves me up against the wall and screams it in my face. “Eden!”
Freezing in shock, I stare at him, wide-eyed.
Panting, hair in front of his own eyes, Kyle’s blood smeared on his cheeks, Jude stares back at me.
Appearing almost just as surprised.
My heart knocking against my ribs, I watch him take a deep breath, as if he’s searching for what to say.
Fearing the worst, I whimper, “Please… please… Jude. I’m sorry. I didn’t know… I swear I didn’t know…”
Pushing in closer, his voice harsh, he asks, “Didn’t know what?”
I look up at the ceiling for a moment, wondering if I should try to lie to save myself.
But I’m so sick of lying.
So fucking sick of the pretending.
Finally looking back down, I meet his gaze and admit, “I didn’t know they meant to kill you today.”
He latches onto the most important word and throws it right back at me. “Today?”
More tears welling up and spilling from me, I slowly nod my head. “Today.”
He pulls back a little and his dark gaze fills up with so much anger and anguish, I feel a stabbing pain in my chest.
Deep down, I know what’s coming next.
He’s going to kill me, I think to myself.
He doesn’t want to, but he has to.
Closing my own eyes, I try to come to terms with what’s about to happen.
Try to accept it.
Silence stretches between us.
A silence so thick and cold, I’m overly aware of every beat of my heart.
Every breath.
Then I feel his hands move up to my neck.