Page 15 of Dark & Darker Still (Vane and Roc: Origin)

Fourteen

Alice

When the dog catches my scent, I race out of the alley.

I knew eavesdropping on Vane and Roc would only make things worse, but I couldn’t help myself. And now I’m glad I did it. Now I know where I stand.

Tearing off the hat, I’m suddenly there again on the sidewalk, with hands and feet and hair and shoulders.

My body settles back into itself.

I shove the hat into the inner pocket of my jackets.

Back inside the Den, the music kicks up around me. We’re still an hour away from the announcement and the celebration that follows. But I’ve already heard enough. I’ve already seen enough.

I’m not someone who needs to cry often, but right now I feel like sobbing alone in the dark is the only way I won’t end up screaming.

I make my way across the main room giving Jade and Salty an apologetic nod as I go. They’ll understand. I know they will.

But before I make it to the backroom, I’m cut off by two figures dressed in gold and black.

On the right, is Callista, the Heart Court witch, and on the left, Lady Gen.

That urge to scream grows in the base of my throat.

“What do you want?” The question is pointed at Gen, but it’s for the witch too.

“Whatever it is you have going on with Vane,” Gen says, “it’s done now. He’s mine.”

I roll my eyes. I don’t have time for this dick swinging. Not when I feel like I’m two seconds away from burning this entire place to the ground.

“You can have him.” I sidestep her, but she counters me. “What, Gen? What the fuck do you want?”

“It’s Lady Gen,” the witch corrects, her mouth curving into a smug grin.

I cross my arms over my chest and wait.

“Vane is mine,” Gen repeats.

I can’t stop the laughter from bubbling up my throat. “You have no fucking clue what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

She curls her upper lip. “You’re just a jealous bitch who thought she could climb her way out of the gutter.”

“You think you can handle Vane, do you?”

“Of course I can. He’ll be my husband. He chose me.”

It takes everything I have not to spit laughter in her face.

“Good luck with that. Good luck to both of you. You’re going to fucking need it.”

Later that night, after the engagement announcement, after the drinks have been drunk, after the moon has set, I come out of my room for a glass of water and spot a pocket watch abandoned on the end table by Vane’s favorite wingback chair.

I stand there in the darkness staring at the watch for too long, temptation and anger burning through my veins.

I snatch the watch from the table, pop out the pin, and roll the time back by an hour.

If Gen thinks she can handle Vane, every part of him , then she’ll have no problem facing him at his worst.