Page 170 of Fatality

My eyes snap open.

I throw the pillow away like it fucking burned me.

What the fuck was that?

I really need to get a grip.

I need to get her away from me.

Kill her, to do something.

Anything.

Because this is getting completely out of hand. This is more fucked up than my usual mind.

CHAPTER 35

Riven

Self Aware – Temper City.

After walking for hours, I head straight for the girls.

I know exactly where they'll be.

My studio, Nocturne.

I burst through the door, panting. The soft automatic jingle I paid a fortune for chimes through the studio as the door slides open.

“Jules...” I breathe, struggling to catch my breath. “Charlie...”

Charlie spins around so fast she nearly falls out of her chair, where she'd been sitting while listening to Jules ramble.

The moment they see me, they both rush toward me.

I meet them halfway, wrapping my arms around them.

“Where were you?” Charlie sobs, her voice muffled against my shoulder.

“I... I'm so sorry...” My voice cracks, but the tears never quite come.

They've always been my blind spot.

The second they're involved, I can't hold back.

I can't pretend everything's fine.

“Riven, you have to tell us where you were! We were worried sick!” Jules pulls back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining with unshed tears.

“I... I couldn't reach out. My comm was at my loft...” I murmur, lowering my gaze. “I was at my parents' house... I couldn't...”

The lie leaves my mouth far too easily.

I'm not ready.

If I tell them the truth, they'll be terrified.

And judging by the way they're looking at me, I don't think they believe me anyway.