The Fallen Queen: (Gods & Monsters Book 2) (The Gods & Monsters Trilogy)

by Janie Marie

  With a nervous smile, she whispered, “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  He leaned back and put his hands behind his head.

  Oh, wow, she thought. The sight was just too perfect.

  He lifted his head to look her in the eye. “Enjoy your shower and call if you need anything.”

  “Okay.” She started toward the bath door.

  “Don’t forget your panties, baby.” There was a hint of a smirk in his words. “I liked the blue ones with bows, by the way.”

  She peered over her shoulder and saw him staring at her with a sexy smirk on his face. Yep, he was definitely enjoying his moment to tease her.

  Quicker than a flash, she darted to the dresser and ripped it open. She immediately snatched up the object of her humiliation and slammed the drawer shut before running to the bathroom.

  With more force than necessary, she closed the door. “David, you big meanie!”

  Even though she still hated everything that had happened since leaving her home, and she was still afraid of everything to come, a giddy smile stayed on Jane’s face throughout her shower. She still wanted to finish quickly though—always quickly—so she rushed through her routine in record time and shut off the water.

  She didn’t realize she’d made it so hot and tried to swiftly shut the shower door to stop some of the steam from filling the entire bathroom. It didn’t work, but she shrugged, walking to the sink where she’d put her clothes.

  As she stood there, the memory of putting Melody in her place suddenly popped into her head. It felt good to stand up for herself. Something about David made her want to be braver. He made her want to be good. She knew she’d never be as good as him, or good enough for him, but she felt the urge to fight for him. To fight for herself.

  She had finally stood up to a mean girl.

  At that reminder, she giggled, and quickly slapped her hand over her mouth as she darted her eyes to the door. She knew David heard practically everything; it amazed her how much more sensitive his hearing was than hers and the others’. He seemed to outmatch everyone. It made him so much more attractive than he already was, and she couldn’t help but think that he looked better every time she saw him. Quit thinking about him like this.

  She removed her hands from her mouth. Even though she felt stupid, because he was probably thinking she was a weirdo for laughing by herself, she still smiled. David made her smile. She wanted to see him smiling at her, so she decided to hurry up.

  Jane turned back to the sink. Bathrooms had always bothered her; she never liked being alone in them, but she felt better because he was out there.

  What about Death?

  Her chest throbbed at the abrupt change in thought. Death had been there many times when she needed comforting in the shower. He knew . . .

  He wasn’t there for her anymore. She’d called out to him, and he’d ignored her.

  As much as David made her happy, Death did something David couldn’t; he brought her to life. When Death was with her, a piece that she didn’t know was missing suddenly came back, and she didn’t know what that meant.

  She stood there in a daze for a moment, thinking about how Death and David were such huge parts of her. If she were to lose one of them, she didn’t think she would be able to survive. Her wandering thoughts made her feel awful. She was pondering who had the bigger place inside her: Death or David—all while she overlooked the fact that Jason was not a part of the equation. She looked at her wedding ring. Jason was her husband, and he was not a part of her like they were.

  You were never meant to be his.

  The sudden thought startled her, and she had to brace her hands on the sink. Jane closed her eyes, breathing out slowly. She really didn’t want to think about all of this again, but she was getting ready to see Jason with David by her side. They were about to walk in front of everyone—together. As Others.

  Her mind was reeling with all the worst-case scenarios: Jason attacking David, her attacking Jason and the kids—or even David killing Jason.

  This was going to be a disaster. She squeezed her eyes shut tighter. Jason was going to be upset. No, he was going to be furious. Not only did she have to answer for her behavior last night, but she would have to face his wrath over her and David becoming close again. Closer. Yes, she and David were closer than ever.

  She realized Jason would likely tell her to get away from David and tightened her grip on the counter. So much rage bubbled inside her at the thought of anyone or anything coming between her and David. She already felt like she was about to foam at the mouth if Jason even suggested David leaving. It hardly mattered anymore that she had agreed to stay away for the sake of her marriage and family. All that mattered now was keeping David.

  Jane huffed, irritated and confused. These were bad thoughts. Jason was still her husband. She still wanted to keep her family together. Of course, she had realized her relationship with Jason wouldn’t be the same, even if she had chosen him—but she also knew she didn’t feel as much for Jason. It was more than that—she didn’t care anymore. She felt numb when she thought about them—about him. How could she be like this? She glanced at her wedding ring again.

  He brought it on himself.

  Jane shook her head.

  He made you hate yourself—made you feel crazy.

  Yes, Jason did make her hate herself. Everything he ever did to hurt her was another little piece of her sanity that he chipped away from her. So many times he had told her she was being paranoid—crazy. There’d been so many nights where he would say he hadn’t been drinking, when he was.

  He was a master at turning everything around on her. No matter how or when she questioned him, he could manipulate their argument to his advantage and make her feel insane. Then there was that look on his face when he finally admitted things. He never showed remorse. He didn’t even say he was sorry. His look said she wasn’t enough for him. She wasn’t enough. Her best—yes, she’d given him all she could—and it wasn’t enough. She had thought she was making him happy, and he didn’t care. That was why she didn’t understand his behavior and kisses in front of everyone.

  Don’t think about this, she told herself.

  Jane opened her eyes as she blew out a breath. She couldn’t afford to get worked up right now. Not when she was about to go face to face with Jason.

  Besides, David said he would deal with everything, mainly Jason. She nodded, telling herself that David would be there with her. He’d make sure when Jason looked at her like she was nothing, she would still know she meant something to him. God, stop thinking like this!

  Jane stared at the foggy mirror in front of her before she reached out and wiped off the condensation. As she watched her hand glide across the steamy mirror, her eyes widened at the reflection she saw.

  She gasped, spinning around as her chest heaved up and down. She pressed herself against the counter, darting her eyes around the empty bathroom. She knew she saw something. Someone. A shadow. In the shape of a man.

  Jane breathed faster, her eyes pricking with tears. It—he—had been leaning there. Watching her. Even though it looked like a shadow, she was sure it had been a man leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. Watching her. Just like . . .

  “Jane?” David called from the room.

  She snapped her eyes to the door but looked around again. Her heart was pounding and she was sure David could hear it.

  “Yeah?” She tried to sound relaxed, but her voice came out shaky—scared. Jane blew out a breath and tried to calm herself. She didn’t want to worry him. No, she didn’t want him to think she was losing her mind.

  “Baby, are you okay in there?” He was closer to the door.

  “Yes,” she said, trying to think of something to say. “I just slipped. I’m fine, though—I didn’t fall.”

  She felt awful for lying, but was afraid to tell him that maybe she saw something when there was nothing to prove it. Were ghosts real? She didn’t think it was a ghost, bu
t it had triggered too many emotions and memories in her.

  Jane kept looking around the room. She’d seen shadows before—shadows that walked in the middle of the day. Shadows that made her so terrified she was afraid to move. She’d never even told Death about them. The only person she told was her aunt, and she’d been laughed at. Her aunt had said if she was seeing things, it was her fault, that ghosts and demons only followed evil people.

  Jane stumbled to the wall closest to the door, fumbling with her towel as she continued to search with her eyes.

  “Are you sure?” David asked.

  Her head bobbed as she roughly dried her body without uncovering herself. “Yes, I’m fine.” She scolded herself for sounding so stressed. “I’ll be out in a second.”

  Calm. She needed to calm down. Her lip trembled, though. She couldn’t calm down. Her hands continued to shake as she struggled with her jeans, and she never stopped looking around the bathroom.

  Her panic rose as she thought about the way the shadow-man had been standing there. It was just like that day with the boy who assaulted her.

  Dirty, damaged girl . . . Why would anyone want you?

  Her eyes watered, and she almost ran out with only her towel, but she knew that would freak David out.

  It’s fine. It was just your imagination.

  Jane held back her tears as she finally managed to get her shirt on without removing her towel. Her head hurt from all the conflicting thoughts.

  You’re fine. It wasn’t him.

  She nodded to herself but still quickly slid along the wall until she reached the door. As soon as her hand touched the knob, she yanked it open.

  David was right there. She didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his waist before burying her face against his chest and squeezing him tight.

  David quickly hugged her back. “Baby, what’s wrong? I heard you laughing and then you sounded scared. Are you sure you didn’t hurt yourself?”

  His entire presence soothed her, and she quickly breathed in his scent before nodding against his chest. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just wasn’t paying attention and slipped.”

  David held her back. She kept her face neutral and stared back. Jane didn’t want him to make her feel crazy like Jason did.

  He studied her for a few seconds before glancing behind her. She froze up, assuming something was there, and she tried to pull him close.

  “Baby, what’s wrong?” He sounded desperate.

  Jane let out a breath. Nothing was there. “I just missed you.”

  A frown quickly formed on his face. “You can talk to me.”

  “I know. It’s nothing.”

  David looked back at the bathroom. She silently prayed he wouldn’t think she was crazy. If David ever looked at her like Jason did, her little heart might shatter.

  Please see something, she begged.

  The bathroom was empty. David stared through the doorway and listened carefully, but there was nothing obvious.

  With Jane still clinging to him, he rubbed some of her hair between his fingers. He kept himself from growling; her hair was soaking wet. She hadn’t brushed it either. She also had a significant amount of moisture left on her arms and face. Her shirt was even clinging to her wet body. She had been in a hurry to get out of there—to get away from something.

  He’d heard her laugh, then shortly after, she gasped and stumbled. Her heart rate had taken off at a terrifying speed, too. These were reactions someone would exhibit if something had scared the hell out of them.

  It pissed him off. Something, or someone, had scared her, but she wasn’t crying about it. Yes, he saw the tears brimming in her eyes when she opened the door, and she clutched him like a scared toddler, but she wasn’t screaming for help. She was trying to hide her fear for some reason.

  He wondered if she was embarrassed—perhaps she saw a spider and didn’t want him to see a silly fear. No. He quickly dismissed that idea. Jane got down and dirty without complaint. She had worked with animals, cleaning up vile messes that made people sick. She ran out to fight zombies and hunt werewolves. A bug wouldn’t scare her.

  David rubbed her back soothingly and smiled when her tense posture relaxed. “Okay. Do you want to dry and brush your hair?” David made sure to keep his voice unassuming. He wanted her to tell him what happened on her own.

  Her face remained void of emotion, but he felt the tiny jump in her muscles as he continued to rub her back. It was the only confirmation he needed; she was terrified, and she was keeping it from him.

  “Um, yeah.” She turned her head slightly and glanced toward the bathroom. The flash of panic that lit her eyes was quick, but it didn’t go unnoticed. “I guess I didn’t see the brush. I’ll go get it.” She kept staring at the bathroom doorway but made no effort to move.

  David wanted to beg her to tell him why she was afraid; he knew there must be a reason for it. He just had to figure out why she wouldn’t trust him right after declaring she did.

  “I’ll get your brush,” he said, still watching her stare at the empty room. “Go wait on the bed.”

  She nodded and slowly looked up at him. Had he not been gifted with the most impressive eyesight, he would have missed the strain in her eyes. Fear. She doesn’t want me to leave her.

  David gave her a comforting smile before leading her to the bed. Since she didn’t make any attempt to sit on her own, he gently pushed her down. He wondered what she was thinking when her pretty eyes locked on his. Her whole world had been turned upside down, and now out of all the monsters she had fought with him in the last few weeks, she looked more scared than ever.

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back. Do you need anything else?”

  She shook her head but then nodded quickly. “Oh, um . . . Could you get me another towel?” She darted her eyes back to the empty bathroom.

  David cupped her cheeks to stop her from looking anymore. “Jane, are you sure you’re all right?”

  She seemed to be debating the simple question. Her eyes stayed on him, but she didn’t seem as aware of him. In fact, she looked like she was almost talking to someone else—and whoever they were, they didn’t give her a pleasant reply.

  Her lip quivered for the tiniest moment. “I’m sure. I just, uh . . . just hurry, please.”

  David grinned to ease her distress. “I’ll be right back. Just sit tight—you will see me right through the doorway.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek, deliberately trying to soothe her with his touch. It worked.

  A sweet sigh left her mouth, satisfying him enough to walk away.

  He felt her gaze on his back. She was going to watch every move he made, so he didn’t want to alarm her by being obvious in his search.

  As David entered the bathroom, he paused. There was nothing there now, that was for sure, but he wasn’t fooled. Something, or someone, had been in there with her. He inhaled deeply and that was when he smelled it. Fire.

  He tensed, looking around again. Still nothing, but he recognized the scent. He’d smelled it on Jane before—back when she had been returned to him after running off to meet Lucifer.

  He walked to the sink, scanning the room for signs left by the intruder, but nothing stood out. He was furious upon realizing she had been watched while she showered. He knew that due to her past it probably did more than just frighten her.

  David found the brush and snatched another towel from the shelf. He saw tiny puddles from her footprints on the floor. They were steady from the shower to the sink, but then he could see where she had scrambled toward the opposite wall and pressed herself against it. There was even a wet imprint from her hair because she’d pushed herself back so much.

  He glanced down at that spot. Her towel was there right where her wet feet had carried her. She had pushed herself as far away from the sink area as she could get.

  In his peripheral vision, he could see her watching him. It broke his heart. Someone was still after her, scaring her, and she was trying to deal
with it by herself. He had a good idea as to whom it was too. Lucifer. It was either him, or another demon.

  “Did you find the brush?”

  He snapped his head up at her voice and smiled, holding it up to show her he’d found it.

  She held her hand out for it. David cast one more look around the bathroom before walking out and shutting the door. All he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and tell her it would be okay, that he wasn’t going to leave her side—but he stayed quiet. If she knew he was worried, it would scare her more.

  He placed the brush in her hand and moved to sit behind her on the bed. Jane didn’t move. Instead, she stared at her lap. He could see the turmoil in her, maybe she was deciding on what to say to him. He hoped she would tell him. He would do anything he could to keep her from being scared or hurt. She just needed to tell him.

  Her stiff posture wasn’t a good sign, though. She was afraid to tell him, and she was going to handle it alone.

  He hoped she didn’t think he couldn’t keep her safe, but he had failed to protect her since they met. It had been Death who had saved her each time.

  Maybe that was what this was. She wanted to trust him, but she knew he couldn’t do what Death could. It was a bitter blow to his pride, but it was true—Death was better at keeping her safe.

  He watched her in her lost state for a moment before taking the towel and drying her hair. She stayed still, accepting him caring for her. At least he had something to work with.

  David brought the towel down on her damp arms, but she still didn’t move or speak. When he finished drying her off, he reached for the brush in her hands. Her grip was loose, and the brush easily slipped from her fingers.

  “Baby?”

  She stayed quiet, so he focused for a moment on his task and lifted her hair to arrange a section over her shoulder. He began brushing and felt a bit of relief when she shut her eyes, her posture relaxing.

  “Sweetheart, you know I’m not going anywhere, right?”

  Jane opened her eyes. “I know.”

  “And you know you can come to me for anything?”