Page 103 of Requiem
I leave Emma’s room after she falls asleep, easing the door shut behind me. I still feel her on my skin, still taste her, and still feel the warmth of her body beneath mine. For a second, I just stand there and let what just happened settle. It was real and beautiful, and I realized during it that I have to reallytryfor her. I can’t allow myself to drown.
We have three fucking days left now. And I need to make up my mind about what I’m going to do and how I’m going to do it.
My steps are slow and clumsy, like after you experience something intense. I pass Micah and Heather’s room and notice the door cracked open just slightly. I hesitate, then push it a fraction wider, careful not to let it creak.
They’re asleep.
Heather’s tucked against him, Micah’s arm wrapped around her, protective even in sleep. My chest softens. I’ve known Heather longer than Micah, long enough to remember versions of her that didn’t look this safe or happy. She’s always been the wilder one between her and Emma. Butwith him, she’s softer. And somehow, through all of this, throughme, they found each other.
A quiet, almost disbelieving smile pulls at my mouth. At least something good came out of all of this.
I ease the door back to where it was and keep moving. I don’t expect anyone to be awake when I reach the bottom of the stairs. But of course, they are. Rafe and Adela sit at the dining table, the glow of a laptop lighting up their faces. They both look up when they see me.
Adela smiles. “How did things go?”
“Good,” I say, the word coming easier than I expect. “Yeah…good.”
And it’s the truth.
Rafe nods once before his attention shifts back to the screen in front of him. I honestly can’t thank them enough for everything they’re doing to help keep us safe. I linger there longer than I mean to, half here, and half somewhere else.
And then a thought settles, and I’m struck with a sudden decision.
“Hey,” I say finally, my voice cutting through the low hum of the room as I stop near the basement door.
They both look up again.
“Rafe,” I add, holding his attention, “can you help me with something?”
He straightens slightly in his chair. “Right now?”
I let out a slow breath, running a hand over the back of my neck as I glance briefly toward the basement door. “Now would be great.”
***
When I open my eyes, I realize that my body fucking hurts. My neck is stiff. I go to move, but chains rattle when I do, and I snap my eyes open. Concrete, dim light, and fluorescent lights.
Alexei’s basement.
No.
My heart slams against my ribs so hard it feels like it’s trying to break out of my chest. My head jerks left, right, searching for him or Erik, my vision struggling to catch up with the panic already flooding my body. I pull against the chains, the metal digging into my wrists.
Nothing.
My arms shake with the effort, my strengthgone, like it’s been drained out of me entirely.
This isn’t real. Thiscan’tbe.
The door creaks open, the sound freezing everything inside of me. And when I see who walks in with him, my chest fuckingcaves.
Alexei, smiling. Laughing, actually. And—
Emma is in his grip, his hand wrapped around the back of her neck like she’s nothing more than an animal he dragged in off the street. He shoves her forward, and she hits the ground hard, her knees slamming into the concrete before he kicks her, sending her sprawling onto her side.
Something in me snaps.
I lunge. The chains slam tight, yanking me back so hard my shoulders scream, but I don’t feel it. I don’t feelanythingexcept the need toget to her.To get himawayfrom her.
