Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Who is that, and why is she covered in dirt and blood?” My sister, Abigail, stands there, staring in wide-eyed shock at Lilith in my arms.
“Just because I gave you a key doesn’t mean you can use it whenever you please,” I tell her, as I carry Lilith into the apartment.
Lilith stirs but doesn’t open her eyes.
“Who is she?” Abigail demands.
“Lilith,” I reply, giving her nothing more.
Lilith’s eyes flutter open, and her grip tightens on the knife.
“Hannah mentioned her,” Abigail says.
“Of course she did. Now, if you don’t mind, leave.”
“No. She clearly needs my help.” My sister walks up and gently touches Lilith’s head, causing Lilith to jolt in my arms.
“It’s okay, it’s my sister,” I assure her. Lilith’s beautiful gaze finds Abigail.
“She’s dehydrated. She needs fluids,” Abigail says. “Put her in the shower. I’ll wash her.” I walk to the bathroom, and Abigail follows behind me.
Abigail went a completely different route than me. She was in medical school but switched to nursing instead. She’s loved it for as long as I can remember. While I don’t see her often, she messages me constantly. If I don’t reply, she gets infuriated and will sometimes show up like she did tonight—uninvited.
“Lilith, you need to get clean so we can check the wounds,” I say gently.
Before stepping into the shower with her, Abigail turns on the water, and I make sure it’s warm before I place her on her feet. She is covered in dirt and grime, and god only knows what else. Her dress is unsalvageable, so I carefully remove it after taking off my jacket. I’m sure at one point it was red, but now it’s covered in so much dirt it’s hard to tell the original color. There isn’t much left of it anyway, so it’s easily discarded in the corner of the bathroom. She still has panties and a bra on, so I carefully place her under the warm spray when I notice the necklace lying on her naked, pale skin with dried blood and dirt washing over the pendant. It infuriates me and also puts me at ease that she still has it on. I should have kept her safe. But I’m also glad she never took it off.
Her tired eyes meet mine, and she mumbles, “But I’m really tired, Reon.”
“I know, Caterpillar. I know.”
I push her hair back, and she lays her head on my chest as the water drenches us, with the dirt and grime from the night swirling down the drain.
“Sit her down and call the nurse who does IVs. I’ll look after her,” Abigail states. Moving slowly, I lift Lilith in my arms. I turn and direct her to sit on the built-in shower bench.
Abigail removes her heels and pulls her skirt and shirt off until she’s just in her underwear, then she steps in to care for Lilith.
“You got her?” I ask because I vow that no one will ever fucking hurt her like that again. They will pay for ever thinking they can touch her.
She nods and takes hold of Lilith.
“I do this often, Reon, but please take that with you.” She motions to the knife still clutched in Lilith’s hand. I crouch down so Lilith can see me and cover her hands with mine.
“You can have it back once you’re clean. My sister will help you.” Her grip loosens, and I take the knife from her. I back out of the shower as Abigail starts to wash her. First, she runs her hands through Lilith’s hair with shampoo as Lilith rests her head against Abigail’s stomach.
“Reon, go. She’ll be fine. She needs an IV.”
I nod and inhale deeply as I exit the bathroom. Finding my cell, I press call and tear off my shirt. The doctor who answered said he would send someone immediately and ensure NDAs were signed beforehand. My phone rings immediately after I hang up with the doctor.
Soren.
I don’t answer.
Instead, I reject the call and throw my phone on the bed.
It wouldn’t be wise to talk to him right now. I will more than likely say something he won’t like, and ultimately, it will come down to one of us killing the other.
“Reon,” Abigail calls softly.
Going back into the bathroom, I find Lilith clean and asleep, leaning against the shower wall.
“You need to carry her to the bed, but be careful. Did you know she’s bleeding?”
“I had guessed so,” I reply. Lilith’s leg and arm are injured. Stepping into the shower, I bend down and lift Lilith into my arms. “I have skin glue in my drawer. Get it, please.”
Abigail grabs a towel, wraps it around herself, and does as I ask.
I lay Lilith on my bed, and she curls into herself. Her teeth start chattering, and her eyes remain closed.
“Care to tell me what happened? And if you say anything about the Forsaken Society, I will kill you all.” I turn to look at Abigail. “What? Do you really think I didn’t know?” she says with an eye roll, then gets to work on Lilith. “I just chose not to comment on it.”