Page 21 of Ash and Poison

ONCE BITTEN

DIYA

Iwoke up from a strange, distorted dream.

I could almost smell Asher on my body, all over my skin. Like he was just here, touching me, tasting me.

Shaking my head, I hurried to the bathroom and took a quick, cold shower to jolt me out of the haze.

“It was only a dream,” I whispered as I slipped on a skirt and paired it with a navy blouse. “There’s no way in hell…”

Pressing a hand to my racing chest, I made my way to the kitchen. After drinking a cup of chai, I walked out of my cottage, locking the door behind me.

I walked along the narrow trail, flanked by flower bushes past the empty cottages.

There were six cottages around the Hollowhaven grounds. I lived in one. Oswald, the guard, lived in another with his family. Doctor T lived in one. The other three were abandoned. A big concrete wall surrounded the massive ground with the cottages, and another one secured the sanatorium from the outsiders.

Darkness clung to the place eternally, like an obsessed lover who refused to let go, always blanketing the woods in shadows.

I stopped when I heard a faint rustling from the tangle of overgrown trees. Partially obscured by the dense bushes, I saw someone or something staring at me.

“Is that you, Maddox?” I asked. Silence. I hastened my steps until I reached the inner compound. Oswald opened the door for me with a grin. I walked inside the facility and stopped by the nurses' station.

“Morning, Becca. Do you know where Asher is?”

“Good morning. Just saw him in the cafeteria, Doctor Sharma.”

Thanking her, I strolled toward the cafeteria. Asher was sitting alone, eating a sandwich with a sullen look that changed the moment he saw me. His eyes widened, and there was a strange smirk on his lips as he raised his sandwich in acknowledgement.

What the fuck was he playing at now?

Frowning, I stalked toward him and took the chair opposite to his. He gave me a self-satisfied smile that grated against my skin. Something about this man made me feel like I was on a Giant Wheel, spinning faster and faster until I lost control.

“Have a good night, Doctor Sharma?” he whispered. He looked different—less brooding and more smug.

“Kill anyone last night, Maddox?” I whispered, making sure no one was around us.

His smile was a bright flash of teeth.

“Well… I didn’t, but not from the lack of trying,” he said, taking another bite of the sandwich. “Want anything for breakfast?”

“How generous! But I don’t eat with men trying to kill me.”

He chuckled, low and dark. “Ah, but where’s the fun in that, Doctor? Besides…” He leaned forward, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “You told me you like a bit of danger, didn’t you?”

“I have no idea what—”

“You’re a very good actor, Doctor Sharma, but give me a few days, and I’ll solve you.” He leaned closer, his voice a sexy rasp. “I like a good mystery. Especially when it comes with a set of sexy brown eyes and a poker face that’s almost too convincing.”

“There’s nothing to solve.” I scoffed, face straight, but my heart was a mess. I knew it wouldn’t take him long to find my secrets. There were reports, and once he knew where to look and what to look for, he’d find it.

“You’re scared, aren’t you? You weren’t even afraid when I threatened your life,” he said, tapping a finger against his lips, studying me with a wild intensity that made me squirm.

“I’m not scared, Maddox. If anything, you should be scared. Don’t be late for the sessions, or I’ll have to discipline you,” I warned, and his eyes danced.

“Oh, what would you do, Doctor? Spank me?”

Gritting my teeth, I stood up from the table with a glare.