Page 65 of All Your Bloody Lies

I’m just afraid of giving myself the opportunity to move on without my revenge.

There is no doubt in my mind that Kairhyse won’t be giving me to Achille. If I ask him, I know he would help me find the five that destroyed my life.

I just don’t want that. He shouldn’t sacrifice what he has due to an obsession. I’m transient, like all good things. This place of his is amazing,Gods, I live in a shithole with a cat that isn’t even mine. Kairhyse has everything, and sure he has his issues, I mean he is stalking me and just fucked me with his shadows. Obviously, he’s got issues.

But I shouldn’t be one of them.

I’ll never give him what he wants.

I can’t, becausefuck me, I can’t even give myself what I want.

21

Kairhyse

Of course she’s gone.

Perhaps I’m deluding myself, imagining I’d wake up with her nestled in my arms, only to be met with a scowl and a sharp command to “get the fuck off me”. I’ve never been one for romance; I’d sooner satisfy someone’s hunger by bending them over the island in my kitchen than by making them breakfast.

But she’s different. Sure, I’ll eventually ravage her on that island, but I can also envision myself learning to make pancakes and keeping that odd tomato juice stocked in my fridge, all just for her. That’s probably why her absence infuriates me so much.

As I stride into the kitchen, my eyes catch sight of a note resting on the countertop. It’s placed right next to her cellphone, the one I got for her.

My heart, which typically beats at a sluggish pace—its sole function to filter the blood I consume for sustenance—suddenly quickens.

Xera…

I unfold it, and read the very short note addressed to me:

A chuckle starts in my throat and escalates into a full-blown laugh. “Ah, you certainly know how to tease me.” I’m so fucked up for being hard over the prospect of observing her from the shadows. If this is the game she wants to play with me, then so be it, but it’s more than an obsession for me now.

She’s on a path to revenge, starting with Dominic and Dante. Although she didn’t ask for my help, I’m going to give it to her. I could easily go snap Dominic’s neck. Dante may be a bit more difficult given his position, but I think then Xera mayactuallykill me out of rage.

The only thing I intend to strip from her is her freedom from me, a realization she seems to grasp already. I’ll serve them to her on a silver platter, but first, I must handle Achille and his meddling in what is mine. Before heading out, I grab her phone and text her dearest Sydni.

Hey Sydni, I believe Xera left her phone at my place by accident. Ask her if she would like it back, or if she’d like for me to provide you all of our dirty little secrets. Especially what I did to her with my shadows this morning.

I swear, some girls wield their phones like weapons, ready for battle with how swiftly theyrespond.

S Diar [23:35]

I’m going to just answer for her that she would rather see her clit floating down the river than take that phone. So spill the deets please.

I’m beginning my response, going straight into meticulous detail about Xeraphine taking three of my cocks, when I see the bubbles from her end.

S Diar [23:36]

Fuck off! It hasn’t even been 12 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I’ll drop it in your mailbox, see you soon little demon.

One week later

“Ah, Sirion Monroe, what brings about the absolute pleasure of your unannounced visit?” Achille exudes an air of self-importance, but I suppose I would too if I were in charge of the largest Hause in the state.

As I step into his office, I find Achille, a man nearly a foot shorter than myself but with a solid build, standing beside his cart of whisky.

Hause Sidence occupies a prime location at the heart of the city, nestled within the tallest skyscraper that reaches beyond the clouds. Personally, I detest the altitude; the sway during windy days unnerves me. Thankfully, I have no need to work in such a lofty place.