There is something very wrong with me.
I feel Pellet's mouth close on mine and there is nothing in this small dark room I can do about it. I don't know how this happens. How this complete stranger can go from listening to my story, to shooting me, …
As soon as we are in a dark corner I move to clasp her hand. Holding it in mine, rubbing my soft thumb against her palm.
I don't know what I am doing, I don't know what I am asking, but I think she might be willing to help.
"Please," I whisper, …
Once Kettle has Esco I know there is nothing left to do unless I start stripping and that is not something I think would be welcome here. And even if it was, to what end? The sick sound of flesh on flesh rips through the air and I can only think abo…
I watch him drink way too much, way too fast and the guilt of that is laden in my stomach. There was just nothing for it, he's scaring me, he's still scaring me. Maybe this is how men are, bursts of brightness and nobility, touched with casual viole…
I listen wide eyed and unbelieving. It's like he didn't hear a word I said, and worse, like what I said doesn't matter. He pushes away my issues and reservations, and ignores the part where I said I don't know what I want... and just...
'head ove…
My head is still buzzing and I want to be able to pay as much attention to him as possible, but it's hard. He's making quite the confession though... and it sounds like it doesn't matter what I am going to say, I am going to disappoint him.
Is thi…
I come back out off the dark haze, the sounds receding. When Gloriana's trumpets fade out, I can hear Esco's scratchy guitar playing against a trailing piano. Then nothing. Then I open my eyes.
Esco.
He's close and it's immediately unsettling, t…
At first it's just peaceful darkness, but then a lilting piano theme, quiet but intriguing comes forth. It sounds intimately familiat. Then a loud brassy trumpet kicks in, neautiful, powerful, intrusive. Gloriana. After that sounds poor in, interwe…
I ignore Esco. It's not that I don't care, I just need this to end. I have two options left at this point, and he is helping to sell both.
"What would happen, if I came out bloody or dead. What do you think she'd do?" I let that hang in the air fo…
I watch Esco come towards me, I hear him, but it's like an echo chamber. Everything but the handle in my hand and the breath in my body feels unreal. Even as Esco begs, I place the blade along my throat.
"You may be choosing this Esco, but I don't…
I nod. It was. It's why I ran.
"I can't let her hurt anyone else, because of me..." I say as I slide my hand holding the dagger out from the pillow. "I'm not worth it."
I'm feeling vulnerable, my eyes hot. I wrap my free arm around my stomach. "It wasn't always bad. It was good. When we were younger, she spoiled me... got me music, taught me to read. She was gentle and caring, if I followed the rules." I took in a …
Cheated? I suck in a breath, short and sharp at the word. It feels like a slap.
Gloriana doesn't think that, surely. She knows I would never... then I remember the message she left me and she know. She knows. Regardless I can feel water at the cor…
I look at Pellet. It takes me a minute to find what I want to say, but I do. The handle of the knife is reassuring in my hand. "Gloriana, " I pour into that one word all misery and hearbreak I can muster. "...she's never going to let me go. I'm curi…
I'm terrified. In every direction I look I see pain and hurt for myself or my friends. This last week, of me coming into my own, of my defying her it seems like a dream. A dream of a stupid girl with stupid fantasies, who wants the prince to come wa…
Glori...
Pellet mentions her, like it's common knowledge, like it's normal to hear, and see, and talk about or to her and... does she just want to keep me in this cage? She sent a message - but she isn't killing Esco. Does that mean she loves me le…
I listen and continue to play dumb, this is Esco's place, it's his face they want to smash in. Given the Fippers reluctance to touch me, I figure they have been given orders not to lay a hand on me, which means they probably aren't here to take me a…
I swallow, unsurprised. I smile and nod at the male gaurd and turn to face the female one. Going to her side, I lightly place my hand at the crook of her elbow.
I have to work to ignore the acidic twist in my stomach at her cruel demeanor.
Smil…
Esco doesn't get past his first sentence before my heart is in my throat and I have to rely on everything Gloriana ever taught me to stay supple and still. I can't help but wonder what he is doing, out in the open like this. My plan was to get them …
I walk up to the male guard, doing my best to come off shy and sweet. Doing my best to be Gloriana's pretty pet - beautiful, quiet, harmless. "Well, we all can't have important jobs like yours." I walk right in front of him and very slowly put my ha…
I cough, smiling politely, gaining attention. They can't take Esco somewhere on his own...
"I'm a partner here, I'd be happy to show you around." I make my way forward, exiting the bar, and crossing in front of Reese. "What would you like to see …