The Morning-After Hell

DELLA

Sorin snaps his fingers once more, and suddenly, I’m safe in Gavin’s arms.

“I’m really sorry I had to do that. I feel awful. You know I didn’t mean anything by it, right?” he asks, stroking my hair and holding me close, as if he’s afraid I’ll be repulsed and run away.

“I know. Thank you for making it happen. I need to stop being afraid,” I reassure him, hugging him back to let him know I’m not going anywhere.

“Let’s head home. We can relax there,” Kade suggests.

I nod in agreement and lead the way to the mirror, wondering when the abandoned asylum started feeling like an actual home. I can’t deny that I’ve grown fond of it, though.

***

I wake up with a splitting headache. God, my whole body aches. My throat is parched and sore, and my stomach is rebelling. Is this a hangover? I don’t remember drinking that much yesterday.

Wait, I didn’t drink at all… We left the bar after I fed, and then we had to go to the school. My eyelids feel like they’re made of lead, and it’s hard to think. I try to sit up, but I can’t. I can’t move at all. What the hell is happening?

~All right, Della, calm down. What do you remember?~

We had dinner and planned for after detention with Raziel. Then it was Monday. But I didn’t even make it to lunch. What happened? I was walking to the cafeteria with Oz. I felt a strange sensation in my mind and then…nothing. Darkness. No…a sharp pain and then darkness.

My neck.

Did they drug me?!

“She should be awake by now. How much did you give her?” a deep voice asks. Raziel.

“I don’t know, a syringe full?” another man replies. Oh, God, Caleb. No, no, no, no!

“The whole thing?”

“I wasn’t exactly concerned with precise measurements. I saw Kade looking for her. I’m not messing with him.”

I hear a sigh heavy with resignation.

I’m lucky they don’t know I’m awake. Maybe they’ll keep talking. Maybe my guys will find me. Maybe I can help. My mind drifts back to when I was worried about Kade in the asylum. When he was sleeping in the clock tower with Sorin. The pull I felt. Maybe I can pull them to me. Here’s hoping!

I retreat into myself and think of my guys. Micha’s noises, Kade’s intense gaze, Sorin’s humor, and Gavin’s protective nature. I see four thin red strands emerge from my core and I follow them until I find my men sitting around Gavin’s desk in his office.

They all look worn out. Gavin’s hair is sticking up in all directions like he’s been pulling at it again. Sorin looks lost as he stares blankly at his knees. Micha’s copper eyes are rimmed red, and his face is pale. Kade is pacing the length of the office, his long black hair half out of its usual tie, loose strands framing his scarred face. I see Oz in the corner looking defeated and bruised. He looks like he’s been in a fight with Mike Tyson.

“~Kade, Sorin, Micha, Gavin~.” I try calling out to them. Nothing. Of course, it wouldn’t be that easy. I gently touch a strand and see that it flows right into Gavin’s chest. A heartstring. He straightens in his chair, bringing a hand to his chest. Ah-ha!

I lean toward the strand and whisper to it.

“~String Bean. Follow the pull. Bring the others. I love you all~.” I watch as he looks around the office in desperation. He heard me.

“Della?” he whispers, making my heart soar. I touch the strand again and guide it toward my core.

I watch him stand up so quickly his chair clatters to the floor. The others in the room are looking at him like he’s lost his mind. I’m familiar with that look. It’s usually aimed at me.

“That clever little demon.” Gavin grins, clutching at his chest. “I feel her. Follow me,” he commands before running out the door.

I’m cut off from the view of them, and I’m brought back to my present reality. My body doesn’t feel as heavy as it did before my strange journey to my guys, and I feel a lot more alert. It takes all my effort not to try and move or groan. The last thing I need is for these jerks to know I’m awake.

“You promised!” I hear Caleb whine like a child. I desperately want to see this, but I stay strong.

“Well, you should have thought of that before you gave her too much of that sedative,” Raziel retorts.

“That shouldn’t matter! I did what you asked, and we had a deal! I would get her first!” he complains. God, this guy is irritating as hell!

“Stop your tantrum. We need to get rid of her before anyone comes looking for us. That’s what is most important.” Oh shit.

I need to buy myself some time. Caleb is my best bet right now for that. At least I won’t be dead for a while with him. I feel someone step closer to me, and I brace myself for what’s to come. I let out a groggy groan that I truly feel.

“She’s waking up! That means she’s mine!” Caleb cheers.

“Yes, yes. Fine. But be quick about it,” Raziel agrees before I hear a door close.

“Thanks, father!” Caleb cries. My stomach churns at his excitement as I try to open my eyes.

I’m on a table staring up at wooden beams and pipes twisting and turning in an exposed ceiling. A basement? Original. I try to sit up, but I’m tied to the table. Because of course I am. Can’t catch a break.

“Where—” I start, but Caleb cuts me off.

“Hello, my little Sin-Eater.” He sneers, trailing a finger down my bare thigh.

I better not be naked. I look down and see that I’m thankfully still in my uniform. Small mercies.

“Not so tough now, are you?”

“Untie me and let’s see,” I try, but he laughs.

“I don’t think so. I like my women submissive,” he explains. Tied up against their will is not what submissive means!

“This shit again? You really don’t take rejection well.” I swear, it just slips out. ~Good job, Della! Piss him off. What could go wrong? You’re just tied to a table and at his mercy.~ I’m sure nothing bad will happen. Yeah, right!

Air leaves my body with a cry as he elbows me in the gut. Hard. Son of a bitch!

“Say you’re sorry,” he commands.

“I’m sorry,” I whimper. I need to be smarter about this. I have to at least last long enough for the guys to get here. He wants submissive? I’ll give it to him.

“That’s better. Some tough bitch you are now, huh?” he says, looking far too pleased with himself.

“Please, what do you want? I’ll do it, just let me go,” I beg, tears starting to form in my eyes.

His expression softens a bit at my tears, and I see it. He doesn’t want to rape me. He wants me willing. Rape is his last resort.

“I only ever wanted you, Della,” he whispers gently, trailing his knuckles down my cheek. Ew.

I fight against the shudder that wants to wrack my body at his touch. “What?” I ask, furrowing my brow in confusion. “Really? I thought you were just bullying me because you didn’t like me,” I say, my voice cracking.

“No, my sweet demon, no. I was trying to get your attention,” he explains desperately. I watch his eyes flick to the ropes around my wrists and then back to me. Almost there. ~Come on, Della, you’ve got this!~

“I’m sorry I pulled a knife on you. I was upset. I misunderstood you…,” I lie. He groans dramatically, throwing his head back. He looks around, probably for Raziel. Then he looks at me, seeming to make a decision.

He crashes his mouth against mine and my stomach revolts, but I force myself to kiss him back. I need him to untie me first. Then I can kill him. I let out a whimper that isn’t entirely fake because I hate this. I want my guys. But my sound seems to do its job as Caleb groans and starts fumbling with the rope. Yes!

As soon as my hands are free, they dive into his hair, making him moan. Then my center opens up and I feed. I feel his body stiffen and thin as I moan at the deliciously awful things he has done. That new pulse flares again and I’m holding onto nothing.

I keep my eyes shut for a moment. I’m almost afraid to open them to see the proof of my kill. I see the dusty uniform crumpled in my hands and a sob leaves me. That was so close. I know it was him or me, but I really hate doing this. Still, after all this man put me through, he deserved it. So does Raziel.

One down, one to go. I sit up and dust myself off before untying my ankles. My head feels clear again thanks to my feeding, and I hop down off the table just in time to hear Raziel on the other side of the door. Shit.

I look around for a hiding place, but I’m in a damn boiler room. Good thing I’m small. I slide in between a few large tanks and press myself all the way back to the wall. Please, don’t let him find me just yet.

“How’s it going with our abomination?” he asks casually. Like it’s just another day for him. What a psycho.

“Looks like he’s having his fun,” I hear him mutter to himself when he spots Caleb’s clothes. I see him shrug and walk back out of the room. Thank God!

Now, I need to prepare to get out of here.