Page 5 of The Cruelest Chaos

“She’s got borderline personality disorder.” Natalie stumbles backward, throwing up her hands. “A few home issues. Don’t mess with her, Mayhem.” She frowns. “She’s been doing well.” And then she turns away, scurrying back to Atlas, whose eyes are on me, an uncertain smile plastered on his boyish face.

She’s doing well.

Well I’m just the person to fuck that up for her, aren’t I?

I walk over to her even as Atlas says my name at my back. No doubt he’s ready to go around the circle and have everyone share our New Year’s resolutions like we’re fucking five years old.

My New Year’s resolutions are simple: Get my sister back from Jeremiah. Don’t fuck anyone that’s kin to me. And maybe kill my dad if I’m feeling ambitious.

Surviving Noctem would be good, too.

Ella, if that’s her name,is wearing a long, black dress pushed up to her knees, with knee-high black boots and grey socks beneath. She’s got her hands in her lap, twisting something between her fingers.

She looks up as I approach, and I’m momentarily startled by the sheer number of freckles on her pale face. They’re...everywhere. There’s something else, too. A red mark on her cheek, right below her eye.

I can’t really make out what it is.

Her dark red hair falls past one shoulder as she tilts her head.

She arches a thick brow. Says nothing.

She hasn’t even looked at my tattoo yet, and that’s the first thing people see when they see me. It’s a clear warning:I’m fucked up.Maybe she’s the type to ignore that kind of warning, which means she’s just my type for tonight.

She stares into my eyes. In the light from the fire and the pyros’ work lights, I see hers are green, framed by long, dark lashes, but they’re puffy. Lined with red, like she’s been crying.

Fuck.

I break the silence between us first. “I’m just wondering why the fuck you’d come to a New Year’s Eve party and sit out here by yourself.”

She blinks, looking annoyed.

Wow.

I cross my arms, cock my head. “Ella, is it?”

She furrows her brow, stops twirling around whatever it is between her fingers and frowns. But she still doesn’t say a word.

I have no patience as it is, and right now, horny, hungry, and not that high, I’m about to snap. Not to mention I still haven’t decided if I’m gonna kill my best friend or not.

It’s been a long night and it’s not over yet. I’m ready to pick a fight.

“Look, if you’re gonna be such a bitch, why don’t you just—”

She stands to her feet. She’s a hell of a lot shorter than me, but she doesn’t seem the least bit intimidated by my height.

“Yo, asshole!” Atlas calls to me.

She glances over my shoulder, and I don’t know why it annoys me, but it does. I grab her chin, force her gaze back to me as I ignore Atlas.

She looks startled, but her eyes harden quickly, startled turning to anger.

“I’m talking to you,” I grind out.

I hear a small pop at my back, and I know it’s the test for the fireworks. She flinches but keeps her eyes on me.

Smart girl.

“Why’re you over here by yourself?” I ask her, running my thumb over her red lips. I know it’s inappropriate, but my dick is growing hard all over again and I just don’t fucking care. “You been crying alone?”