I turn from the two of them, intent on finding Ava again, except I don’t see her.
She’s gone.
25
AVA
Maiden, Mother, and Crone, how in the hell did I put up with Jamie for so long. He practically pulled me into the woods and then asked to see me again. To apologize “for real this time” for the things he’s done. I don’t know why he’s being so fucking persistent. He was never that interested when we were together, so why now?
I only got home from the New Moon Ceremony ten minutes ago. Stellan was starving and headed to get late night burgers with Odie and Ambrose, but I’m too exhausted. I just wanted to come home. After a late night, then reading up on necromancy all day, followed by the ceremony, and topping it all off with the Jamie weirdness, I’m tapped out. That’s not even taking into consideration that I told Bram that I’m totally cool with a casual hook-up.
I’m an idiot. I’m not in any way a casual girl. I get hung up. I don’t move on. I’m not good at keeping things light.
“Stupid.” I flop my face into a pillow and groan.
There’s a knock on the door. I contemplate ignoring whoever is on the other side. It’s late as hell. If someone needs me, theyshould text like a normal person. Who the fuck just shows up at someone’s door unannounced?
“Open the fucking door, Ava.”
My stomach swoops like I’ve just dropped off the edge of a cliff. Fuck, fuck, fuck. It’s Bram. I leap off the couch and start toward the door, only to stop and look at myself. I look like I got dressed in the dark. I’m swimming in my T-shirt, but it also has a giant hole in one armpit. My sweatpants are stained and have a droopy ass, and my knee-high socks have accordioned around my ankles. My hair is half falling out of my ponytail because I just smothered myself with a pillow and I’m not wearing a stitch of make-up.
I sway back and forth indecisively. Should I put something else on? Whatever. He’s seen me look worse. Okay, maybe not worse, but on par with this current outfit.
“I can hear you breathing in there. Open the fucking door.”
Bram’s snarled command sets me off. My upper lip pulls back in a sneer, and I whip the door open. Throwing my arms wide, I glare at the too beautiful for words asshole. Life really isn’t fair.
“What did I do now, your majesty?” I bow down because I don’t give two fucks tonight. I’m expecting him to make fun of my clothes or messy hair. I’m not prepared for him to march inside, slam the door shut, and grab me by my ponytail. He angles my head to face him. I should be afraid, but I’m not. Not even a little.
The only light in the room is from the TV, but even that flickers as Bram’s shadows swirl around him. He backs me up with stalking steps, hand still tangled in my hair, while the other slaps against the wall.
“Where did you go?” Darkness swirls in his eyes, nearly blotting out all the color in his gray irises. My heart is in my throat, and I should be terrified, but I’m not. I’m giddy.Turned on. My magic sings beneath my skin, thrumming and demanding release.
“I was with you at the New Moon Ceremony genius. And now I’m obviously at my house.” Well, technically, it’s Stellan’s apartment, but it’s my place now too.
His fingers tighten in my hair, and I let out an embarrassing mewling sound. My panties have been wet from the moment Bram walked through the door, but now they’re soaked. Damn him. All it takes is one look and I’m ready to bend over.
Bram’s breath huffs out of him. He tugs my head back and drags his nose up the column of my throat as if he can scent me like an animal. His mouth stops by my ear.
“Who were you with?” He enunciates each word with a razor-sharp snap.
He pulls back to look at me, that darkness all but taking over the man I’ve started to know.
“Why do you care?”
Bram growls and releases my hair only to grab me by the waist and haul me up against his body.
“What are you doing?” I cry out when he picks me up.
“Going to your room,” Bram says in a low rumble. He doesn’t need directing. Because he’s already been in here stashing the stupid doll in my stuff. He stomps down the hallway to my bedroom, pushes open the first door, and flicks on the lights. The pile of clothes decorating the chair in the corner is a dead giveaway that this is my room.
Bram carries me over to the bed and tosses me onto it. I bounce and then glare up at him. He frowns down at me, as if he’s only just seeing me for the first time.
“What the fuck are you wearing?” There’s a chuckle mixed in with his words. I respond with a death stare.
“I’m comfortable.”
Bram picks up my foot and yanks off my sock.
