Page 123 of Die for You

He’s sleeping soundly.

Picking up my phone, I see that it’s just after midnight. The house is dead still.

Gently pulling back the covers, I tiptoe from the room, grabbing my robe on the way out. I keep my footsteps light as I walk to Lettie’s room. When I slowly push open the door, Lettie’s bedside lamp projects blue and green stars around her ceiling and walls. She’s clinging to Nico, feeling safe in his arms.

Closing the door softly, I make my way to the bathroom. I don’t bother turning on the light. I sit on the rim of the bathtub and just remain still. Tonight was a mixed bag of emotions. To go from experiencing one of the happiest moments of my life to feeling like I’m drowning once again has really thrown me off.

Nico isn’t involved in this.

I know that he isn’t.

How would he even know who Lenny’s drug suppliers are?

No, it’s not him.

It’s a new moon, but it seems darker than usual. The bathroom has a large chandelier with matching wall sconces. The glass shower screen extends half the wall. The marbled double vanity adds to the opulence.

Every room in this house was designed beautifully. I wish I could love it here, but the air just feels…cold.

A shiver racks my body. But this is so intense, I feel nauseous.

Once I use the toilet, I flush it and make my way over to the sink. With a yawn, I wash my hands, sleep suddenly tackling me. Peering into the mirror, I yelp as the shadows play tricks on my eyes, and I see a figure standing behind me.

Turning over my shoulder rapidly, no one is there.

“You’re losing your mind,” I whisper into the darkness.

Drying my hands on a hand towel, I am ready to go back to bed. But the hair on my neck stands on end.

Their presence is oppressive.

I can feel their breath on the back of my neck.

And I suddenly realize that my eyes weren’t playing tricks.

Someone was…isbehind me.

Lunging for the ceramic decorative vase to use as a weapon is too late. I feel a prick on the side of my neck.

I want to turn, but my legs feel like they’re made of cement. I lose control of my hand. The vase crashes onto the floor, shattering the quiet. Wavering, I grip the edge of the counter, but I’m going under.

Everything is blurry, and my tongue is heavy.

I can’t scream.

The last thing I can do is look back into the mirror and see that my ghost stands behind me, and in the darkness, I can see it smile.

I don’t remember much after that.

Iwake to a thud.

The bed is cold. Valentina hasn’t been in it for a little while.

I pull back the covers and sit on the edge of the bed, listening for anything out of the ordinary.Perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me.

Regardless, I get up and measure my steps as I walk through the house in search of Valentina.

She’s not with Lettie. Nico is still sleeping beside her when I peer inside her bedroom.