Page 83 of King of Malice

CHAPTER FOUR

Cadence

He washesme again and then scrubs himself.

When we’re done, we collapse into a super-comfortable bed. I curl around him, sighing out my contentment.

Is this what relationships are like for normal people? I’m warm and comfortable, his arm around my back as he holds me close. No man has ever held me like this. Or maybe I just never felt like this when they did.

But as I start to fall asleep, memories from tonight flit in and out of my thoughts.

Being under that fighter.

The helplessness of the attack.

I shake off the thoughts. I’m in bed with the man who protected me, and next to him, I’m safe.

But I don’t love that thought either. Every time I rely on someone else, I end up…disappointed.

Still, I think Zane will keep me safe for the night. In the morning, everything will look different.

I fall asleep moments later, too tired to worry more. I have no idea how long I’m asleep when the dream starts.

I’ve had it before. I step into the pile-of-shit house that is our newest foster home. I’m late because I had to stay after and retake a math test that I failed.

But as I close the squeaky kitchen door, I hear Ava’s sharp cry. And then our foster father yells, “Shut up.”

The fight that always comes when Ava is in trouble bubbles up to the surface, dulling my reason and sharpening my senses. I can hear her struggle, the grunts and cries as I reach into the knife drawer and grab out an ice pick.

Gripping it in my palm, I sprint down the hall, stopping in our bedroom door.

And for a moment, I freeze. Because what I see…

It’s Ava, her legs open, as our foster father ruts on top of her.

And then, it’s me.

I’m no longer watching, I am Ava. Or I’m in Ava’s position.

My chest restricts with fear, the cry of pain ripping from my lips.

“Cadence.” A male voice penetrates the dream, mixes with it. “Cadence. Wake up.”

My eyes burst open, but the dream is still my reality and as a face appears above me, I don’t hesitate.

My hand balling into a fist, I strike out, popping him in the jaw with all the force my sleep-ladened muscles can muster.

It’s enough.

His head snaps back, his hands flying to his face as he falls back on the mattress. “Jesus, Cadence. It’s me.”

I blink in complete confusion. “What?”

“It’s Zane.” He holds his face as he looks up at me where he lays flat on his back.

“Zane?” I draw in a shuddering breath, trying to make sense of where I am and what’s happening, when the details start to filter back.

The Hunt. The shower. Going to bed. “Shit,” I cry, scrambling up on my knees. “I’m so sorry. I was having a nightmare and…” Hepulls his hand away and I see a bruise already blooming on his jaw. “Shit.”