Page 5 of The Devil We Crave
Almost time.
I’ve done my best not to think about it. Abouthim. I’ve shoved the whole event and the weeks on either side of it in a locked box and buried it in the dark recesses of my mind. But being here tonight, knowing how close I am to exacting my revenge on that fucking asshole, has the sickening memories and crippling emotions rushing back to the surface.
The leering grin.
The smell of alcohol on his breath. The way the room spun as the drinks in my own system dulled my senses and slowed my ability to think.
To run.
To say no.
The stifling, claustrophobic feeling of his body pressing to mine, his hand pushing past my defenses and slipping, unwanted, between my legs…
“Yelena.”
I startle, blinking. Wren is standing in front of me, giving me a strange look.
“Yeah?”
She cocks a brow, bringing her glass to her lips. “You okay? You were doing that zone out thing.” Her brow furrows. “You’ve…been doing that a lot, actually.”
She’s my best friend, we’ve got a ton of classes together, and we have a shared bathroom between our bedrooms at Morvaine Manor. She of anyonewouldnotice that I’ve been a little spaced-out since the school year started.
But she doesn’t knowwhy.
Why I’ve been avoiding alcohol, why my smiles are sometimes forced, and why I’ve been so tired, because sleeping brings nightmares.
I haven’t told anyone what happened this summer.
What he did to me.
He’s not on campus anymore, thank God.
But tonight he is.
The thought sends a shiver raking down my spine like broken glass. Knowing that he’shere, and that any one of the tall, built men in black Venetian masks around me at this very moment could be him…
Bile rises in my throat, but I manage to muscle it back down.
“You good, dude?” Wren frowns.
My fingers slip into the pocket of my leggings again, toying with the lace as I nod, and she gives me one of her looks.
“I mean, really?” she says, her brow furrowing deeper with concern.
I force myself to smile and roll my eyes. “I’m fine. Just tired, you know?”
She nods. “Maybe a drink?”
I shake my head.
“Want to go find some boys to flirt with?”
I swallow back more bile, my fake smile staying firmly in place as I do.
“Hey,you’rethe one we’re supposed to be finding boys for.”
She makes a face. “Ugh. I guess. I know Galina’s all gung-ho to set me up?—”
