Malum

Tillie

Past

“Do you trust me, Puella?”

“On one condition,” I whispered, slipping Micaela into his awaiting arms. “Don’t die.”

Daemon gave me a small smile, skimming his lips over my forehead. “I won’t. I’ll never die, Tillie.” He glares at me. “Do you trust that?”

No. “Yes.”

I watched as his back retreated through the doors. I had been pacing for a solid hour, waiting for the next thing that was about to happen, when my door swung open and Khales waltzed through, a smirk on her mouth.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, confused. Shit. This meant The Kings were here.

Khales stepped forward until her chest brushed against mine. “When this is all over, and when I have gotten rid of the people I need to be rid of, I will be the one ru

I flinched, confused at what the hell she was talking about. “Whatever, Khales. Whatever.”

She shoved me backward until I fell on my ass and glared down at me. “You’re disgusting. You and your friends think you know everything there is to know about this world, but you’re wrong. I’m the only girl in this group and it will always be me.” She spat on my face.

I swiped it away as she disappeared back through the door.

Bitch.

I hadn’t known her well, only saw her around the island a few times with Katsia. Aside from the fact that she went to my high school, I knew she was also with Bishop for a while. I always figured she would be on their side, but maybe I was wrong. She must be a great actress because Bishop isn’t someone who would keep someone like her around.

There’s a tapping at the window and I rushed over, yanking it open. Peering down, Tinker was standing there looking up at me. Fu

I closed the window and sucked in a breath. “Sure.” I let the cool window caress my back, leaning my head against it. Cramps ripped through my lower abdomen and I winced, leaning forward. Liquid began dripping down my thigh, so I reached down, swiping some of it with my index finger and bringing it to my face.

Blood.

I waddled back to the bed and took a seat. The door burst open but this time Jessica stepped in, slamming it closed behind her. I knew instantly that something was about to happen today. Something big.

“We need to get you cleaned up. She will summon you soon no doubt. They’re all in the sitting room.”

I stilled. “Who is they?”

Her eyes came to mine. “The Kings.”