by Bea Paige
My eyes trail from the computer screen to the car park five stories below. I can just make out Roland’s skinny frame as he gets into his car. The relief at seeing him pull out of the carpark is immense. I hadn’t realised he’d alarmed me quite so much until this moment. I find myself peering around, just to make sure there are no other weirdos hanging about down there. Satisfied there aren’t, I turn back to my screen and switch it off. I’m not in the frame of mind to continue with my research, full stop. Roland has successfully spooked me enough that I want to go home. Grabbing my bag and coat, I head out of the lab and make my way to my car.
A couple of minutes later, after a quick diversion to the staff cafeteria, I head out into the now deserted car park with a chai latte warming my hands. Frost is already covering the windshield of my trusty Ford Focus and the air is chill. My woollen coat isn’t doing much to keep the cold out either. I hurry over, instantly regretting that I’d parked it in the furthest, darkest corner.
“Just perfect,” I mutter under my breath as I place the latte on the roof of my car and fish in my handbag for my keys.
For whatever reason, my usually steady hands are not so steady, and I manage to drop my bag. “Damn it,” I curse, not in the slightest bit amused. I crouch down, picking up the contents of my spilled bag and stuffing them back in. Spotting my keys by the front tyre, I go to pick them up, only to find a black sneaker suddenly covering them. My heart leaps in my mouth as my eyes trail upwards. Roland is looking down at me.
“Clumsy today, aren’t we,” he smiles. But that smile doesn’t reach his eyes, it’s nowhere near. He’s giving me a look, a look that has me worried. I stand quickly. He moves his foot and bends down to pick up the keys, all the while keeping his eyes firmly on me.
“I thought you’d left?” I say.
“I did, then I remembered I forgot to tell you something.”
“What?” My eyes glance about the empty carpark. As a member of staff working in the laboratories within the hospital, we use a different carpark to the public and given it is well past office hours there aren’t any others about. A thread of worry skirts my skin as Roland steps closer to me.
“You’ve been really wonderful to work with, Accacia,” he says, his pink tongue peeking out from his mouth as he licks his chapped lips. It reminds me of a worm.
“Thanks, Roland, that’s really nice of you to say. Can I have my keys back now?” I hold my hand out.
His eyes flicker to my palm. “Now, why would I want to do that? You and I are having a nice chat, aren’t we?”
I smile warmly, despite the fear coiling in my stomach. “Yes, of course, but I really need to get home. I’m tired, it’s been a long day and I need to go to bed.” He takes a step closer and I step back. “My keys, Roland.” This time my voice shakes, and I curse myself for showing my increasing dread.
“What is it, Accacia? Surely, you’re not afraid of me? We’re friends, right?”
I don’t answer. A sudden warmth blooms on the middle finger of my right hand. The warmth turns into a burning sensation. “Ow.” Momentarily forgetting the danger I am in, I glance at my hand to find a gold ring sitting there. It brightens suddenly, and a wisp of red writing spreads across its surface before disappearing. I don’t wear jewellery, and I’ve certainly never seen that ring before. Am I so afraid that I am now imagining things?
“Ignoring me now, are we, Accacia?” Roland says, stepping so close that my back is pressed up against the car. My heart starts to thump loudly in my ears. Roland reaches a hand to my face; his fingers leave a trail of ice down my skin. I try not to scream.
“Roland, we work together. This isn’t appropriate,” I say, trying to sound formal, professional, in the hope that the reminder will make him come to his senses. He just laughs.
“Yes, and look where that’s got me. I don’t want you to see me as a colleague, Accacia, I want more than that.” He presses himself closer to me, his foul breath making me want to gag. He breathes in deeply, his cold nose pressed into my hair. “Your smell, it’s exquisite,” he says. Then he licks my ear like some feral dog. Disgust rolls through me.
“Roland, BACK OFF,” I shout, pushing against his chest. That only seems to enrage him further. He grips my upper arms painfully and leans in.
“No,” he says simply, before pressing his mouth against my own. I twist in his grasp, attempting to shake him off.
“STOP IT!” I scream.
“You heard the lady. I suggest you back off or you’ll regret it.”
We both stiffen, me because I am staring at a man who looks more terrifying than Roland, and Roland because that man’s hand is squeezing his shoulder so hard he lets go of me immediately.
The man jerks Roland backwards. I let out a shuddering breath.
“Who the fuck are you?” Roland says, turning to face the man. “This is none of your business, so back off, mate.” A growl rumbles up Roland’s throat, taking me by surprise. What the hell is that?
I look at the stranger, at the remarkable indigo colour of his eyes, and wonder why Roland cannot sense the danger as I do. This man, he is not someone to be messed with. He oozes controlled anger. Anger that is bubbling just beneath the surface, waiting for the opportunity to be released. He runs a hand through his dark, chin-length hair.
“This is very much my business. Accacia here is under my protection and you,” he says, jabbing a finger into Roland’s chest, “are testing my patience.”
Under his protection? What on earth does he mean by that? I’ve never met this man in my life. Noticing that Roland has dropped my car keys, I crouch down and pick them up. Hopefully, this man, whoever he may be, can distract Roland long enough so I can get out of here and back home to lockable doors and windows.
Roland draws himself up and puffs out his chest. “I said, back off!”
If I wasn’t so terrified, I would laugh at his stupidity. He steps towards the man, arrogance and pride preventing him from seeing that there is no way he can win this fight. I almost feel sorry for him. Then I remember what his intentions were, and I suddenly wish for the stranger to let rip. As though hearing my exact thoughts, the stranger glances at me and dips his head once before launching himself at Roland.
I don’t stick around to see what happens next. I open my car and get in, locking the door immediately. Without putting my seat belt on, I turn the key in the ignition and step on the accelerator. It’s the first time I do a wheel spin as I speed out of the carpark. In the rear-view mirror, I can see the man holding Roland aloft by his neck. I exit the gate and when I glance back again, both men are gone.
Author’s Note
Well, there you have it. I hope you enjoyed Fern’s Decision and are as intrigued by her Dark Angels as I am. Fern’s story continues in Fern’s Wings, the second book of her trilogy which will be coming shortly. Whilst each sister has their own trilogy that is self-contained and can be read out of order, the overarching story intertwines and links the five trilogies. The Sisters of Hex series has been quite the undertaking and very much a labour of love. I thank you all for the support you’ve given to me in my writing journey and hope you stick with me (and with each sister) as you uncover their story too.
The order of the series will be as follows (though can be read out of order):
Sister of Hex: Accacia (Accacia’s Curse, Accacia’s Blood and Accacia’s Bite)
Sister of Hex: Fern (Fern’s Decision, Fern’s Wings and Fern’s Flight)
Sister of Hex: Clover (Clover’s Wish, Clover’s Promise, Clover’s Sacrifice)
Sister of Hex: Danika (Danika’s Star, Danika’s Mark, Danika’s Pack)
Sister of Hex: Zinnia (Zinnia’s Crown, Zinnia’s Rule, Zinnia’s Decree)
Fern’s Decision has some tough reading, and I appreciate that many people will find the labour scene hard to read. I haven’t been affected by losing a baby in childbirth personally, but as a mother I can appreciate the utter despair and grief such a loss would be and I have dec
ided to donate 10% of this book’s first month’s earnings between the charities listed below. It’s not much, but I want to do what I can to help. You can donate too by clicking on the links and finding the donate button. You can also follow updates on the donations on my website: https://authorbeapaigeandkellystock.com/
Tommy’s: https://www.tommys.org/
Sands: https://www.sands.org.uk/
Lullaby Trust: https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/
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