A Slave to Love

Chapter 50: Wicked Witch

As soon as I got to my room, I peeled off my wet snow soaked clothes and hung them up to dry. Once everything was off, I headed into the shower, wondering just how long I could hide in there before everything in my life exploded further.

Blade POV

I couldn't believe it. I couldn't fucking believe it. I almost told Kiana that I might be falling—

Goddamn Mona. I wasn't sure whether to be upset that I didn't get to say anything because she showed up or happy that Kiana will never know what I thought I might be feeling. Maybe it was just the moment, being close and being in the snow, that whole romantic atmosphere or something.

Probably.

But it wasn't just that. It was her birthday today and Mona just totally fucking ruined my plans, plans I'd spent way too long agonizing over, wondering if I was going overboard or not doing enough, yet in all my planning I hadn't accounted for Mona. Forgotten her existence.

It was the worst mistake ever.

Mona being here was a surefire way to ruin Kiana's birthday, especially after the attack Mona had orchestrated the last time they'd been near each other.

Aidan shot me a look as Kiana turned down the hall, head down until she disappeared around the corner, a dejected slump to her shoulders, none of her usual confidence and energy to be found. All the joy she'd had this morning was gone, like it had never existed in the first place. 

It was all my fault.

"Blade I've missed you so much! It's so hard to find a nice human who can please me. Though there was one--" Mona was saying but I tuned her out.

Aidan sighed, picked up her bags and left down the hall while we followed behind, Mona talking a mile a minute about who knew what while I floundered, trying to figure out what the fuck to do to fix this mess. Leo came around the corner, looking concerned.

"What's wrong with Kiana? She was so excited—" he stopped short when he saw Mona, his hazel eyes widening before he regained his composure, head bowed in respect. Mona was the only damn person who still insisted on formalities, despite the fact that she really didn't deserve them. "Miss Mona. It's good to see you."

"Oh hello Leo," Mona said, her arm around me, fingers trailing circles on my shoulder, long nails digging in like a punishment. "What's this about Kiana?"

Leo was giving me an 'oh shit' face, as if I could help bail him out when I was still drowning in my own panic and stupidity. "Er...nothing, miss."

"Come now. We're all adults here so just spit it out," she said, her tone turning icy.

"Mona, how about you go to your room? I'm sure you must be tired..." I said, disengaging from her hold as I gave her an encouraging push in Aidan's direction.

"But I've missed you, baby." The name made me bristle, as did her pout, and her whiny tone. And everything about her. All this time away, all my time with Kiana, and suddenly Mona was a thousand times more grating than usual.

"I've missed you too," I said, hoping to sound convincing. "But this was unexpected. I have...things that need to be tended to."

"Fine," she said, annoyed enough that I was sure I would pay for it later, but I was too relieved to have a breather to give a shit. "But then I want to be tended to." She gave me a kiss before taking off down the hall with Aidan.

"Leo what the fuck am I going to do?" I groaned as soon as she was far enough away, her heels clicking growing fainter, even as the sound made my anxiety grow with each persistent click.

"Tell everyone the truth," he said simply. "You dug your grave, now lie in it." And with that he walked off and left me to a clusterfuck of my own making.