Page 65 of A Perfect World
“Caged animals aren't proud.”
Those four letters spelled disaster.
By the time we reached the landing, Jack was running full speed down the hall.
Too empty for a frat party.
My pulse synced up to the heavy base vibrating the walls, the floor, the ceiling.
Screaming.
No amount of music could drown out that awful sound. The veil of protection my brain draped over me disintegrated, the threads in my chest quivering like bowstrings.
I urged my legs faster.
“Open the mother-fucking door!” a male roared.
Jack rounded the corner first, followed by a whispered, “Fuck.”
I almost slammed into him as Ollie yanked him back by the collar. Jack’s jaw clenched, limbs strung taut. He tucked me into his side, eyes never leaving my boyfriend’s steel gaze.
“Do whatever it takes.”
Ollie didn’t hesitate, liquid metal pooling into his irises as he whirled around to face a man at least a hundred pounds heavier, beating his fists into the door at the end of the hallway.
He flew through the air like he weighed no more than a feather.
Slamming full force at Ollie’s feet, cheek pressed into the carpet, the man released a muffled howl. Jack hugged me to him, both of us captivated by the tangible waves of static rolling off Ollie.
“I promise this won’t be pleasant.”
The voice that came from my boyfriend’s mouth sent shivers down my spine. Vicious and entirely too calm. He hooked the toe of his boot under the man’s chin, craning his neck at a painful angle. His eyes widened in horror, mouth falling open, scream cut off in a gurgle.
“Holy shit,” Jack breathed, yanking me with him to the wall.
Glowing, undulating silver beamed into the victim convulsing at his feet, bent in a twisted position of prayer. The being in front of us wasn’t of this world. He was a vengeful god, radiating unimaginable power. Awestruck, I greedily devoured the sight of this side of him.
He wasmagnificent.
Twin red tears carved down his cheeks. The static pouring off him raised the hairs on our bodies, tears of blood thickening, eyes blazing brighter-
“Stop him,” I murmured.
Jack didn’t respond.
More blood. Darker. Thicker.
His body vibrated.
“Stop him,” I demanded, louder this time.
Jack’s hold on me tightened.
Ollie shook harder, blood seeping into his lips, dripping down his throat, soaking the neck of his shirt-
“Stop him!”
Jack’s arms banded around me, holding me hostage.
