Page 38 of Pretty Broken Wings

Blood.

“Back off!” The panic is a mix between him not letting me go and me cutting him. There isn’t a ton of blood, but it’s enough to coat my pinky.

“Why?”

“Because!” It’s all I can get out. I’m so afraid, and I fucking hate it. I hate being afraid. And I’m scared of what it’ll make me do. “I’ll hurt you.”

“Yeah, no shit.” Axel’s laugh is gravelly.

My back is pinned to the wall, and there isn’t enough space to get around him without getting closer to him.

“Help!”

“Tell me what you’re running from, and I’ll let you go.”

I peer around Axel. No one is coming. The library is empty.

“Why?”

“Because I’m curious, that’s why.” Axel puts his hands on the wall beside me, caging me in further.

Suddenly, I can’t breathe. He doesn’t care that I have a knife.

My hand shakes.

“I’m curious why you come into town, limping around, trying to blend in like you belong here.” His breath puffs across my face. “I’m curious why you act like you’re so much better than everyone else.” His lips are so close that they brush my forehead. “And I’m curious why you put men in bathroom stalls and make them beg?”

All cohesive thoughts leave my head. All I can think about is the last thing he asked, and a bitter laugh escapes me. “Why?” I sputter. “Can't imagine that there’s a woman who doesn’t fall at your feet and worship you?”

Axel laughs, the sound gentle and restrained. “Are you afraid I’m going to hurt you, little bird?”

“I’d kill you first,” I hiss, shoving at the knife to emphasize the control I have.

“Ah, the bird has claws.” He licks his lips. “I wouldn’t hurt you unless you begged for it.”

“Right.” I laugh, but there’s no humor in it. “Like I begged for you to take my job.”

“I offered it back.” He’s so close that I feel his body heat. The copper from the blood is so strong I can almost taste it.

Before I can stop him, Axel darts his hand down, grabbing the wrist that has the knife. I startle, trying to pull away.

“Shhhh.” He pulls my hand and the blade up to his face, pulling in a deep breath. His nostrils flare, then he sticks his tongue out, licking the blood off the blade.

“Axel,” I breathe, staring at him, and I stop moving. He could cut his tongue off.

Axel groans, the arm still braced on the wall, shaking.

Then, he pulls away from me. “You and I could have a lot of fun together. Much more fun than my brother.” He lets go of my hand. “I’ll figure you out, Celeste. Whether you want me to or not.”

Then he turns and strides out of the room.

CHAPTER TWENTY

I’m not even sure how I got home from the library, but when I zone back in, I’m in my car behind my apartment. The car is still running. I shut it off to keep from burning gas.

This is fucked. This is so fucked.

I want to get out of the car, but my body won’t move. It’s like I’m in a fog.