Page 15

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

After Marcie bathed me, I was given a silk nightgown to wear. “This is what he wants you in.” Marcie pinched her lips to the side.

“I need you to tell me how you know my sister when I saw her die in front of my eyes. I need you to tell me how Bradley is walking around this resort when I killed him. I killed them both.” My body was shaking as Marcie pulled the gown over my head and my hair dripped down my back.

“Demi, when Mac and Tini saw you in the ocean that day, they said you asked for plain white rice and yogurt.”

I nodded as I remembered that moment, thinking someone was saving me but quickly realized there was no way my life hadn’t already been meticulously planned out for me by deranged monsters.

“You said that to show them compliance and that you were brainwashed by Ian. You said that because you’re a brilliant girl and want to live.” Marcie grabbed a hairbrush and began brushing through my sopping wet hair. It was all true. I saw their green eyes and blonde hair and knew they were all just the same. I knew I had to pretend I was consumed by the Ivory family.

“Marcie, please tell me, is my sister alive?”

“Not the sister you knew. Best you just let her stay dead.” Marcie tapped my shoulder and walked away.

Looking over her shoulder, she smiled at me. “Alister Ivory is an even sicker bastard that Ian ever was. Just be careful. I know you want to burn it all down, but he’ll never let you go unscathed.”

I stood there and watched her leave before turning to the vanity and leaning into it. Staring at myself in the mirror, I knew she was right. But more than anything, I couldn’t calm my nerves, thinking my sister was potentially alive. Glancing up at the ceiling, I also knew I was being watched. What did the girls mean when they said one gets chosen at the end of each guest’s visit? Chosen for what?

“Demi…” His voice echoed in the minimalistic space as my racing thoughts combated the peace in his tone.

Clearing my throat, I replied, “Yes?”

“Come to bed,” he said calmly.

I wanted to go back to my room, but I knew better, so I obeyed. I walked through the door and saw Alister Ivory standing in front of the oversized window. I couldn’t see the ocean since the darkened skies met with the water, blending into an abyss of nothingness.

He was wearing a matching black silk pajama set with his hair brushed neatly.

“I’d like to go back to my room with Marcie, please. I sleep well there, and I’m sure I need to tend to Mrs. Rothschild. She’s probably wondering where I had gone. I truly apologize about leaving my position and coming to the Euphoria floor, Mr. Ivory.” I had my arms behind my back and my fingers laced together.

Alister stared out of the windows, and the small clock on his end table taunted me with its ticking.

“Do you know what I’ve always dreamt of, Demi?” He spoke softly before turning around, his dark eyes such a contrast from his brother’s.

“No,” I replied almost inaudibly.

“I’ve always wanted a family. A wife and a few children. Children I could raise into happy and productive humans. A wife who looked at me with pride and knew I did what I had to do.”

“I’m sure you have plenty of inventory here for a bride.” As fast as I said the snarky statement, I regretted it. Alister’s hand curled into a fist. Stumbling back, I put my hands in front of my face. “I didn’t…” I stammered as he filled the space between us.

Peeling my hands down, he looked at me carefully. “You’re right, Demi. I could fuck, marry, or kill any girl I want to.” He brushed his hands against my cheek. “But you see, since I was a young boy, Ian has always won in every single way. Our father’s love and adoration, our mother’s care and comfort. I was always the…well, the black sheep of the family.” He ran his hand through his hair and smirked at me.

“Then I found out about you—the one person who successfully took my brother down. And a woman, nonetheless.” He let out a dry laugh. “My nephews, Conrad and Bradley, were fighting over you the way my brother and I did over who’d get to help Papa kill his next victim.”

My heart sank. Ian and Alister’s father was just like them… Was this why they were natural killers? This family business ran on for generations.

“You know, I’ve always been lonely. But I’ve also been more fearful if I choose the wrong woman and feel some kind of emotion to her, she’ll then betray me. I’d have to kill her, and then our children would forever be upset with me.” He brushed his fingers against my eyelashes, causing me to flinch.

“Please,” I whispered. I didn’t know what I was pleading for. “Ouch!” I cried out. Alister had ripped out some of my eyelashes and held them in between his fingers. My eye watered as I covered it.

“Did you know if you make a wish on an eyelash, it comes true?” Alister smiled. “My mother would let us do that.” He placed my eyelashes in his palm and lifted one near my lips.

“Make a wish, Demi,” he crooned.

My nostrils fluttered as fear coursed through me. “I don’t have one,” I breathed out.

“Of course, you do. Everyone has a wish.” Alister closed his eyes and mouthed words silently. “There, I’ve made it for you. You’re welcome.”

Blowing some of my eyelashes away, he opened his eyes. “Let’s go to sleep.” He tugged at my hand and pointed at the bed.

He walked over to a jar displayed on his dresser and lifted the glass top off.

Sprinkling the rest of my eyelashes into it before shutting and placing the jar back on the dresser, he sighed proudly. I immediately climbed into bed as my chest rose and fell rapidly.

“Sweet dreams, Demi.” He kissed my cheek, and the lights all turned off.

I waited until his breathing shifted to slide out of the bed. The moonlight provided just enough light for me to make my way to the jar.

Leaning over, I lifted the glass top and squinted. Sticking my fingers into the jar, I felt the soft little hairs.

Slapping my hand over my mouth, I realized something.

It was a jar full of eyelashes. Cringing, I shut it quickly, but the glass clinked too loudly.

“You’ve thought of a wish, my darling raven?” I shot around and saw Alister sitting up in bed, watching me. The whites of his teeth and eyes stood out in the darkness.

“I’m so sorry,” I stammered and raced back to the bed. Climbing in, I laid flat, praying he wouldn’t be upset.

He turned toward me, putting half his body over mine. “It’s alright to be curious, my beautiful bird.” I kept my eyes closed as he brushed his fingers through my hair.

“What did you wish for?” I quietly asked.

“I wished that I’d find the strength to not slit your throat, drink your blood, and make one of the nightingales wear your face whenever I missed you.” A sob left my mouth as stomach acid rose in my throat.

He placed his finger against my lips. “Shh, now we must sleep.”