Page 27

Aurelia

It’s the morning, and my sleepy eyes open gradually. It’s still dark, with only the light beneath Wrath’s door seeping through and faint cracks in his boarded-up windows hinting that it’s daytime.

I feel him pressed behind me, his strong, warm body solid against my back. He breathes heavily into my hair, his arm wrapped around me in a possessive hold.

My mind races back to the past couple of nights while staying here and everything that’s happened since our first… encounter. How he almost ended me, but the moment he released that chain, the relief that washed over me was unmatched. Not because I survived, but because he stopped. He stopped because it was meant to be. That moment solidified everything for me.

We kept fucking even after we got back here. All night, actually. Then last night, we can’t stop—like two fucking animals in heat.

Yeah, there’s moments I can see it in his crimson eyes, that edge, that urge seeping through. But he hasn’t actually got close to killing me since. Not that harshly, anyway.

This man is a deranged, twisted monster, and I can feel it all the fuck over me this morning. Between my thighs, my pussy and ass red raw, my lips cracked from dehydration, my skin bruised and shredded but I can’t stop, I don’t want to. I love being ruined by him and rebuilt by him.

I’m now as madly obsessed as he is.

Then there was the revenge on Lake and Elias, and to be honest, I always thought I needed and wanted to get blood on my hands. And although I spilled some by taking their eyes, the traps where the most unhinged and perfect shit I could have ever thought of.

Just knowing Wrath was there to witness it all with me, how he let me have my moment, meant everything. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.

Now there’s just one more... Zye.

Wrath suddenly breathes in deeply, his head snapping up. His tired eyes peer down at me briefly, like he’s checking if I’m still here, or maybe still alive, before his head sinks back into the pillow.

I smile gently as he pulls me closer, my small body slotting perfectly against his. His big, tattooed hand moves up my chest before gently resting on my throat, his arm between my breasts, and I just breathe.

“They were your... brothers?” Wrath’s deep, sleepy voice vibrates against my back, finally asking the question I know he’s wanted to ask, but we’ve been so wrapped up in this thing between us.

“Foster brothers,” I answer slowly.

“They hurt you, Allure?”

“They gang raped me, then dumped me in a river. Dead,” I confess.

His head snaps up again, now propped on his elbow as he stares down at my side profile.

“Before Kyro took me,” I finish.

He growls, low and angry, before flopping back down on the pillow like he regrets not getting the chance to destroy them himself.

“I wish I knew,” he bites out. “I would’ve torn them apart with my teeth. Piece by piece, turning into a fucking cannibal real quick. I would’ve happily been picking those cunts out my gums for weeks”

A light smile tugs at my lips as he drags me closer, like holding me tighter could somehow make it all better.

“You did the right thing, Wrath,” I whisper. “I couldn’t have imagined a better way for them to meet their demise.”

“And all of the blood on your clothes the night I fisted your pussy?”

I roll my eyes and let out a long breath.

“I killed the boyfriend—my boyfriend—who set it all up.”

Wrath stays silent for a moment, like he’s thinking over everything in his head.

“I’m sorry you went through that, Aurelia,” he finally says, and my eyes sting with the threat of tears. “I wish I was there to fucking stop it.”

When I remain quiet, he rises on his elbow again, and I turn beneath him, lying flat as his red eyes sweep over my face, tracing every feature carefully.

“Actually,” he says slowly, “this might sound like evil of me… but I don’t.”

My brows pinch slightly, confused, and his warm hand wraps around the side of my neck, his thumb dragging along my jaw.

“Cause you wouldn’t be this. Who you’ve grown to be. Darkness suits you so beautifully, my little corpse. You can’t even imagine how much I’m fucking obsessed with it and you.”

A tear slips from the corner of my eye, trailing across my temple before soaking into my hair, my heart throbbing as he continues.

“Don’t ever fucking change,” he orders, his finger pointing to my chest, red gaze lingering on my trembled lip. “Every broken part of you, every scar carved into your skin—you’re so perfect like this. No one touches or hurts you again. Only me. I couldn’t protect you then, but I’ll burn the world to its fucking knees before I let anything dim what’s left of your soul now.”

I nod slightly, acknowledging the unexpected sweetness in his words before pulling him down to meet my lips.

“Don’t change either, my big monster. Your craziness has helped me more than you’ll ever know,” I softly murmur against his lips.

As soon as they collide, I push him back, straddling him. When I sit back, he rises, never breaking the kiss, his hands firm and possessive.

Two chains dangle from the ceiling, their cold metal glinting in the dim light, tempting the darkness in us both and without a word, Wrath forces my arms up, locking each shackle around my wrists.

His hands move slowly down my arms when he’s finished, admiring me, and when I elevate my hips, he lifts his hard cock, offering me to sit on it.

I slip onto him, his thick girth pressing against my sore walls and a groan escapes me from the pain and pleasure. As soon as I start bouncing on his big, pierced dick, taking every inch, Wrath’s mouth and teeth latch onto my nipples, his hands squeezing my ass, making me slam down onto him with every thrust.

My moans grow louder, more frantic, my body arching with every pull and plunge as my climax nears.

But then, without warning, the door swings open.

I freeze, my breath caught in my throat, a scream tearing from my lips as I try to hide, but the chains restrict me from moving, my wrists burning as I strain against the shackles.

Wrath de-latches from my tit as I turn my head, heart pounding in my chest, only to see Hellion standing in the doorway, his presence worse than any threat, and his cold gaze doesn’t waver.

Wrath just stares at him, and Hell stares back, not really noticing me, or not wanting to.

“Wrath, fucking hide me!”

His blood-red eyes calmly meet mine, as if this is all normal to him before he suddenly presses his hands over each of my tits and squeezes harshly. I can’t hold back the gasp that leaves me, my pussy squeezing around his cock and he growls in response.

Hell clears his throat, looking away now, and it pulls me back to reality.

“What. The. Fuck,” he says, each word slow, his gaze fixed on the floor, his surprise clear.

“No offence, Hell. But can we have some fucking privacy. I’m kind of riding his dick right now,” I pant out breathlessly.

“No fucking way,” Noir says, clearly hearing my voice before she comes into view.

Her shocked blue eyes dart between me and Wrath, her jaw hanging open.

“Noir! Get out!” I hiss, wondering why they’re not getting the hint.

They both back away, closing the door, Hell looking anywhere but us, and Noir unable to tear her gaze away.

When they’re gone, we look at each other, and I burst out laughing, my head thrown back.

He stays silent, just watching me. As I lift my head, a smile remains on my face, and I realize he’s gonna stay his usual, blank, quiet self for everyone else, but for me? He’ll tell me whatever I need to hear. Whether that’s him being… nice, his way, or threatening with his taunting, filthy words.

And that makes me feel kind of… special.

After getting dressed, I leave The Hollows trailer, striding behind Noir. I notice the angry carved swirls in the backs of her thigh, wearing them proudly while she has a short black dress on, but I don’t say anything. It makes me realize, hers and Hell’s relationship is as toxic as mine and Wrath’s. And it’s bizarrely our kind of normal now.

I don’t know why I’m following her, probably because I haven’t seen her much. I need a shower. I’m a mess. But luckily, Wrath gave me one of his hoodies which drowns me in fabric to hide all the cuts and bruises.

“How was your time away?” I ask, and she slows down.

“Yeah, good. I’m tired. It was fucking crazy, but I’m glad to be home. We went to this horror rave called Havoc and Carnage first, and my god… it was insane.”

I nod as we walk side by side, walking toward the woods.

“Soooo… You and Wrath?”

“Me and Wrath,” I repeat without hesitation.

“How did that happen?”

I blow out a big breath as I think about the absolute chaos it’s been nonstop.

“He was persistent.” I admit, glancing up at her and she nods like she knows that shit all too well.

“You look tired, and different. A strong different, but are you okay?” she asks, her gaze searching mine, genuinely concerned like the big sister she is.

When I stop, she stops, and we face each other.

“I’m fine,” I smile gently. “It’s taken some time to get used to all this, but…”

I look around as I continue. “It’s finally starting to feel like home.” My eyes return to her. “You were right. It definitely teaches you some things.”

“And Wrath?” She asks, folding her arms over her chest like this is some forced thing between us.

“It’s totally consensual and mutual.” I declare, my chin raised.

She gives a sharp nod, satisfied with the answer before we start walking again.

“Where are we going?”

“We are heading to The Monster. But you, you’re gonna wait outside.”

“The Monster?” I echo, confused.

“Yeah, he works here, on Cirque nights mostly, but he’s locked up at the moment. He’s a danger to everyone around here,” she says, but her eyes are sharp as they meet mine. “I’m working on teaching him a normal life so he can walk freely.”

I stay silent as she continues.

“He hasn’t seen me for some time.”

“You’re a good person, Noir.”

She smiles before looking down at me.

“And so are you, sis,” she says while nudging her upper arm into mine, almost knocking me off balance.

“Are you ready for Dark Night tonight?” she questions, her curious eyes telling me she’s still wondering if I know everything.

“Yeah, to be honest I’m excited to see what all the creepy fuss is about,” I grin, and she chuckles.

“Well, you’re about to see all right,” she sneers before glancing at the small building in front of us, tucked beneath the trees. “You’re about to understand what Oddity really is and why it’s here.”

“Will you be performing?”

“I will be, yeah.”

A sharp thrill surges through me at her words. I haven’t seen her dance much yet, and the thought of it stirs something twitchy inside me. I’m curious to see how she’ll move and command the audience. And then there’s The Hollows. I’m just as eager to see what horrors they unleash tonight as well.

“The Hollows are different on Dark Night, Ara. They’re not their usual selves. They’re much… worse,” she warns while looking at me. “Be prepared for anything.”

I nod slowly, taking everything she said into thought.

How can Wrath get worse than he already is?