Page 90 of The Devils They Are
"No time like the present, Duchess. Maybe this will make you think long and hard about trying to tear us apart."
"I didn't do anything!" I argue. "Maybe you should be taking this up with Rylan."
Hunter smiles. It's cold and hostile. Maybe on the surface it can be mistaken for a gesture of warmth, but deep down, he's ruthless. There's nothing pleasant about his lips upturning like that. Behind his eyes, I see his hatred for me, pouring out in waves.
He wants to break me. To punish me for what I did to him in the detention classroom and to make an example of me for fucking his friend.
There's no going back after this. He's ensuring my compliance—not necessarily to bow down to them, but to stay away from Rylan. We both know that if Rylan has to choose, he's going to pick his friends, his legacy. This is a cold reminder that I'm just a notch on his bedpost.
"Don't worry," Hunter says, standing. "I'll be sure to lock the door behind me, so no one takes advantage of yourvulnerable position."
"How noble of you," I snap back sarcastically.
Grinning, he says nothing further as he vanishes from the room. I listen to his footsteps fade away, the lights turning off before the sound of the side door slams closed.
"Hunter!" I shout unsuccessfully. "Get back here, Lannister!"
Outside, an engine roars, unmistakable dirt and gravel kicking up underneath tires, and then there's silence.
He's not coming back…
No one is.
I hate to admit it, but when the faint whispers of birds chirping and soft morning glow slithers into the room, my face is red and puffy from crying.
There was a small period of time where I passed out—a result of the pain in my body and exhaustion—before I woke up again to continue this nightmare.
Bereft and devastated, I struggle to understand how everything happened. Today is meant to be about saying goodbye to Mom. Last night was hard. Losing doesn't happen to me often, and I'm humble enough to admit defeat, but I know in my heart I don't deserve this.
Unless someone finds me, the chances of me missing her goodbye are growing higher with each passing hour.
My bladder is screaming at me, made worse by the violent shivers from the morning chill as I lay against the coarse carpet in my sports bra and shorts.
It could be days until I'm found. Monday, someone would have to take notice that I'm missing from classes. I try my best not to panic. All it will do is make things worse. But in the back of my mind, I'm terrified. Injured and dehydrated, there's no telling what condition I'll be in if I'm left here alone until Monday. To make matters worse, my stomach rumbles with hunger, also reminding me that I may be without food for several days—if I survive that long.
If you asked me yesterday, I'd say that Hunter isn't that cruel—that he wouldn't leave me stranded that long. But now? I don't know what to believe.
You'd think that missing my mom's funeral would be cause for alarm. But I'm known for hiding from emotions. My friends would just assume I need space. Hell, at the moment, it's only Archie who knows. The chances of the alarm being raised are smaller again. He'll just believe I couldn't face saying goodbye, probably off somewhere drowning my sorrows with music.
This is my own fault for isolating myself. And now, Hunter Lannister has exploited my weakness. What used to be my strength is now my downfall, and I have no one to blame except myself.
Well, and Hunter. This is all his doing. But if I discovered someone was sleeping with the enemy, I'd probably react strongly too.
It's comforting to know one thing though. I'd never do this to someone. That's the difference between me and Hunter.
Still, the semi-comforting thought does nothing to improve the situation. I could be dead in two days.
Exhaustion creeps into my bones again, body curling up as hunger pains exacerbate the feelings of affliction. It's been nearly twenty-four hours since I ate anything—too sick with nerves to have lunch or a snack before the fight.
I don't have to fight long. The darkness pulls me under again, providing temporary relief from reality as I pass out on the ground, numbing the aches and pains that throb through my entire body.
Chapter thirty-three
Rylan
There'sverylittleItake for granted in this world now.
Beneath the wilting promises and torturous expectations, I've come to love finding beauty in the smallest things.
