Not to him.
Not to anyone.
Chapter 29
EVA
I lit the candle, closing my eyes and trying to concentrate.
I’d laid out a bunch of pictures of Willa on the floor, along with some flowers and sage I’d gathered from the garden, arranged around a half dozen candles to make a sort of shrine. I’d turned all the lights out in my room and sat down on the floor near the shrine, hoping I could connect with her.
“Willa, talk to me,” I said to the empty room.
I waited, trying to be patient, to be open.
“Give me a sign, Willa!” I demanded.
I took a deep breath, picturing my sister in my head, listening carefully.
“I’m here for you. Send me a message, Willa. Anything!”
Silence.
Nervously fidgeting, I reached up and twirled the medallion around my fingers. I missed my sister. I was worried sick about her. The anger I’d felt in the beginning was subsiding, now I just wanted her home. I didn’t care that she didn’t tell me she was leaving or where she was going or even that she had been texting with some stranger.
I didn’t care about any of that.
“Willa, come home!” I cried, tears starting to fall down my cheeks.
The waiting was excruciating.
I stood up, impatient with my little telepathy session. I had no idea if she could hear me, but I figured I needed to do something, since that was about all I could do.
Our father would barely talk to me, not that that was anything new.
I felt so alone, like never before.
What if something had happened to her? If she was in danger, would I know? Would I feel it?
I threw myself on my bed, overwhelmed and exhausted, sobbing uncontrollably.
Chapter 30
WILLA
As we walked out of the park, we passed by four men that looked completely out of place. The group of them strolled down the street right past us, heavily tattooed and looking like they’d just stepped out of a movie. We both took a double-take as we passed them. My eyes widened with curiosity and I was thankful to have something to distract me from the feelings that were coursing through my veins.
“Who are they?” I asked Dragon, once we were out of earshot.
“I have no idea,” he said. “The tourists are getting weird, I guess.”
“My father’s always talking about ways to increase tourism,” I said, my voice wistful as I thought about him.
“I don’t think that’s what he meant,” Dragon laughed.
“Probably not,” I agreed, my eyes following the men as they walked down the street. I looked over at Dragon and saw that he was watching them, too.
“Definitely tourists,” I said. One of them held a piece of paper and they seemed to be searching for something. Dragon fidgeted nervously beside me. He grabbed my hand and started to lead me back down the street towards where we’d parked the van around the corner.
When we got back there, he started it up, then quickly u-turned in the middle of the street and sped off, driving a lot faster than he had before.
“Is something wrong?” I asked.
“I think we should switch vehicles, just to be safe.”
“How are we going to do that?” I asked.
“I’ll borrow my mom’s car. She won’t mind. She never uses it.”
I wondered why he wasn’t concerned about the van before, but didn’t say anything. But then it hit me.
“Wait, do you think those men are looking for me?” I asked.
“Uh,” he hesitated. “I doubt it. Don’t worry about it.”
“Well, I’m sure my father is looking for me, but I can assure you he doesn’t know anyone who looks like those guys.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure you’re right. But do you want your father to find you?”
“No,” I answered, even though I wasn’t entirely sure about my answer.
“So, let’s just be careful,” he said. “My mom’s place isn’t far from here. I’ll make it quick and we can get on with our day.”
“Okay,” I answered, as he reached over and grabbed my hand.
“I can’t risk her seeing you, though, so I’m going to drop you off at the supermarket, okay? Just for a few minutes and I’ll be right back to get you.”
“Okay,” I said, a nervous flutter moving around in my stomach.
He pulled up at a nearby market and then turned to me.
“You’re not going to run away on me, are you?” he asked, winking.
“I think I already ran away?” I laughed.
He pulled out some folded up cash and put it in my hand. “Buy yourself some flowers or something.”
“Okay,” I said, smiling, as I got out of the car.
“I’ll be back in fifteen minutes,” he said, pulling away and leaving me standing alone outside of the market’s entrance.
The enormity of the fact that I was now all alone in the city, for the first time ever in my life, hit me like a hurricane. I spun around, taking in all the sights and smells, the voices, the laughter, the hustle and bustle of people going about their everyday lives, totally normal and ordinary.
Now, I was one of them.
I walked into the store, my eyes wide. Dragon and I had come here before, and I was still a little overwhelmed by the store itself, but it was being all alone that was blowing me away this time.
Slowly, I strolled down the aisles, taking in all the choices on the shelves. I grabbed some pastries and soda pops, both things our father frowned on us having. I wished Eva could be here with me. She’d been heavy on my mind all day.
The store had a little section with art supplies, so I grabbed a sketch pad and a set of colored markers to go with my junk food. I usually wasted a few hours of each of my days drawing little pictures to make Eva laugh, but it was also very calming for me. I’d left my pads and pencils behind at home, and hadn’t realized how much I would miss them. I grabbed a chocolate bar and a dozen donuts and then headed back outside to wait for Dragon and people watch, after paying, which was also new.
I sat down on a bench and opened my markers.
There was a small batch of graffiti on the bench, and since nobody was around, I drew my favorite little sketch next to it, just a little something to leave my mark. I had no idea how long my freedom would last, but I wanted to leave something behind that said I’d been there.
Struck by an idea, I jumped up, and walked around in front of the supermarket, drawing my little sketch on a light pole, on the back of a parking sign and another one on a bike rack near the door — it was a tiny pony with a smile on his face and a big, swirly tail — Eva’s favorite.
By the time Dragon came back to get me — this time in a small, red sedan — I was smiling again.
Chapter 31
RIOT
“That was the last one,” I said. “At least all the ones where the van’s were registered to men.”
“Fucking sucks,” Slade said. “I was really hoping to get to punch someone today.”
“This isn’t about you dude, for the hundredth time,” I snapped.
“Hey, I didn’t say it was,” he replied, flashing me an angry look.
“Well, then shut the fuck up,” I said, ignoring his look.
I was pissed. I was running out of leads and no clues were popping up either. It was as if Princess Willa just disappeared into thin air after being driven away from the castle. And now the sun was setting and I was once again going to have to go back and tell Joe that I hadn’t found his daughter yet.
“Look, man, I know Joe is going to be pissed and break more shit, but we’re doing our best,” Slade reminded me.
“Our best isn’t good enough when it doesn’t produce results,” I protested. “Willa’s still out there somewhere and we don’t know if she’s safe or not.”
“Are we sure she hasn’t left the island?” Stryker asked.
“The king put a hold on all marine ac
tivity. He closed the port. Shut down the ferries. He made up an excuse, saying there was some toxic spill in the water surrounding the island, but it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out how bogus that is,” I said.
“How many white vans are registered to women? Maybe the van belongs to someone else.”
“I thought about that, but in the interest of time, I was prioritizing what made more sense.”
“Well, we don’t know who it is that Willa ran off with. If it was another teen, maybe the van is registered to his mother or something.”
“It’s very possible,” I said.
“How many more vans are there?” Wreck asked.
“Ten more, if you can believe that,” I said. “Apparently, a paper company sold a fleet of them a few years ago. We just have to find the one with the dent in the door. You wouldn’t think it wouldn’t be that hard, for fuck’s sake.”
“It’s getting late,” Stryker said. “Should we keep going in the morning?”
“I guess,” I said. “Let’s get back and tell the king so he can start breaking shit again.”
“Dude’s gonna run out of whiskey glasses eventually, gonna start breaking skulls,” Slade laughed at his own joke.
“That’s exactly what I’m afraid of.”
Chapter 32
WILLA
We pulled up to the gate to the lighthouse and my stomach sank. I didn’t want to go back with him. If I’m being perfectly honest, I was ready to go back home now.
It was clear now that I’d made a terrible mistake.
I missed Eva so much and the guilt I felt for putting my family through all this was overwhelming me.
Dragon jumped out of the car and opened the gate and jumped back in. As he drove through and stopped again, I opened my mouth to ask him to take me home.
“I think I made a big mistake, Dragon,” I said, my voice cracking.
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“I feel terrible. I don’t know if I can do this. I think I should go home.”
“Home?” he asked, incredulously. “Did you forget that you were practically in prison most of your life?”
“Except it wasn't a prison. I had all my needs met, my sister loves me.”
“Your father practically locked you away, Willa!”
“I know, but I don’t think this is the way to leave.”
“He’ll never let you leave if you go back now.”
“Well, I never should have left!” I cried.
“I didn’t make you do this, don’t you dare blame me!”
I looked at him with wide eyes. “I never would have left if you hadn’t convinced me, Dragon!”
“I didn’t exactly twist your arm!”
“No, but —.” I stopped. He was right. It was more of an invitation that I accepted. But a question formed on my lips that I’d been thinking about for a long time. “But — can you explain how you found me?”
“What do you mean?”
“I asked once before, but you were so vague. How did you know I’d have access to Clara’s phone? I don’t understand how you knew to text me on it.”
He stopped, his mouth slamming shut as he glared at me. He shook his head.
“You’re unbelievable, you know that? Do you realize what I’m risking hiding you away? I did this as a favor to you! The poor little princess all locked away with no way out!” He started mocking me and I couldn’t believe it. “Oh, Dragon, get me out of here! My evil father! I just want a normal life!”
I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes.
“I saved you because you asked me to!” he shouted. “I can’t believe how ungrateful you are, Willa!”
He hadn’t answered my question yet, but I just wanted him to stop shouting.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, looking out the window as he started the car back up and headed down the winding dirt road that led to the lighthouse.
My heart ached and my head was throbbing.
Dragon parked the car and jumped out, popping open the trunk as I pulled myself out of the car. My eyes widened when I saw he had two huge bottles of whiskey.
“You’re going to drink again?” I asked.
“We’re both going to drink again!” he insisted. “You’re just stressed out, Willa. You need to relax a little and unwind. You’ll feel a lot better after you get some of this in you.”
He pushed past me and headed to the lighthouse. I followed him, but all I could think about was how I could get away from him. As soon as we got to our room at the top of the lighthouse, he opened the whiskey and started drinking it straight from the bottle.
When he offered me some, I shook my head.
“Oh, right you’re a fucking princess, how could I forget?” He sneered, then grabbed a glass and poured a hefty amount into the glass. “Drink it.”
I grabbed the glass and sniffed it, cringing.
Maybe he was right. Maybe I just needed to relax.
I lifted the glass to my lips and slowly started sipping the whiskey, the amber liquid burning my throat as it went down.
“There you go!” Dragon said, smiling now. “Isn’t that better?”
“A little, I guess,” I said, taking another sip. The warmth did feel good after it stopped burning so sharply. I sat down and finished it, and by the time it was all gone, Dragon had drank twice as much as I had.
“I’m sorry for yelling,” he said, slurring his words. “I didn’t mean to be so mean.”
“It’s okay,” I said, shaking my head. My vision was blurred and I was getting sleepy. “This is all just new to me.”
“I know, babe,” he said, stumbling over to me where I sat on the bed. “Of course, it’s a lot for you, I get that.”
He towered over me as he reached down and pushed a green lock of hair behind my ear. He lifted my chin, then bent down and pressed his lips to mine.
I let him kiss me, hoping he would be brief.
I needed time to think. I needed to figure out what to do.
His kiss turned hard, his teeth pressing into my lips painfully. I pulled away. He sat down beside me and grabbed my head, pulling it towards him.
“Don’t pull away, dammit!” he said, smashing his lips into mine. His tongue darted out, trying to force its way into my mouth.
I wrenched away from him again and stood up. He fell back on the bed, a sloppy, drunken mess.
“I don’t feel like making out, Dragon,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and walking away, staring out the window at the ocean. It was dark now and all I could see were the white crests of the waves as they crashed against the shore. I could hear Dragon breathing heavily behind me and I knew he was angry.
“Whatever. You’re acting like a fucking baby!” He sneered. “I’m going to sleep.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I wiped my lips, trying to wipe his kiss away.
My head raced with confusion, but one thing was becoming clear.
I wanted to get away from Dragon. Maybe I didn’t want to go home just yet. I wasn’t sure, but I knew I didn’t want to be here in this lighthouse any longer.
I’d traded one prison for another.
A wave of claustrophobia hit me. I spun around, happy to see Dragon had passed out quickly and hard. Quietly, I grabbed his cell phone from the bedside table and crept down the stairs slowly.
Once I made it outside, I gulped the night air hungrily. The cool breeze coming off the ocean was refreshing and I lifted my chin to it, letting it hit me full on the face. I exhaled, trying to let the tension roll out to the sea with the waves below. I sat down on the edge of the cliff, my feet hanging off the edge. It felt free and dangerous and yet strangely solid and safe at the same time. As if the Earth was holding me safely in her arms, taking away any fear of falling to the rocks below.
I looked down at my body and I couldn’t help but wonder why I was so trapped.
Why this bag of skin?
Why was my spirit condemned to this life?
; Why did all the physical parts of me have priority over the spiritual part?
I felt cursed by this blood, these bones, this heart — this sad, unfulfilled heart.
Who decided I was the one that should live this life?
So many questions, and nothing but one tragic answer: because of the two other spirits who created me, each of them possessing their own messed up, tragically fated souls. Their one simple act of my parent’s love had led to my destiny — the past I’d endured, my present, and whatever the future held. And Eva’s, too.
It was as if it was all pre-ordained, written in some invisible text, cemented in unmovable facts — and I hated it.
I despised every word of my story. I hated that I was left living a life filled with that hate. I desperately wanted to love myself. But how could I, when I had no say in who I was?
How could I, when I didn’t even love the very blood that gave me life?
I yearned to rip it out. Tear open my veins and find a new way of living. Drain myself of whatever obligation had been assigned to me and forget about it all.
I simply wanted to be someone else and the stark fact that that wasn’t possible, and never would be possible, tore at my heart and left me extremely distraught and deeply sad.
I turned on Dragon’s phone and then stopped. Who was I going to call?
I chuckled with the realization that I didn’t even know the phone number to the castle. I never left. I never needed it.
I couldn’t even call home if I wanted to.
But then I thought of Clara’s phone, hidden away in the guest cottage. The events of the last few weeks ran through my head. I’d never planned for all of this to happen. I never dreamed I’d end up here with Dragon when I first found her phone.
Clara had taken a weekend off a few weeks ago. Eva and I had been painting in the guest house. We loved to hang out there and pretend we lived there alone, even though our father would never allow it. The guest house had everything you needed and was right outside of the pool, except Addy never kept food there.
BLOOD PRINCESS: GODS OF CHAOS MC (BOOK 17) Page 10