Chapter eight
Nero
IwatchrigidlyasBelle spins before a mirror, checking out her reflection. She wears one of the dresses that Enzo had been saving for her, and she simply looks breath-taking.
It’s blue, her favorite color, and it suits her perfectly.
It was painful seeing her go into that room with my brothers the other day, and I was half-tempted to storm across the cabin and pleasure her too. But if her satisfied moans were any indication, then it appeared that my brothers already had her covered, and maybe she doesn’t even need me.
Why would she wantmemoping around when she already has three monsters waiting at her beck and call?
The best thing I could do for her was to keep her little friendAlicecompany. The poor thing has barely left her room, and it’s the least I can do. She’s so fragile, and it’s a shame to see such a sweet-looking creature succumbing to the darkness.
Alice is pretty much away with thefaeries, as they say. She explained to Belle that she once followed a little white rabbit into a hole back when she was nine, falling into a world of talking flowers and tea parties, and she hasn’t been the same since. Doctors declared her insane years ago.
It was what led to her downfall. The doctors had agreed she was suffering delusions in the end, and it was how she learned to shut down her emotions.
I’m afraid there aren’t talking flowers in this realm, though, but I don’t think she’s insane. I think she’s just lost.
And Belle is determined to get her back on track and return her to the human world. That’s what I love about her. So caring and compassionate, my stone heart can’t take it.
One day, she is going to tempt me.
“What do you think, Alice?”
Belle looks across the room. The young girl sits on a chair in the corner, her arms wrapped around her legs, and her big blue eyes gaze at nothing.
She wears a similar blue dress to Belle, and they could pass for sisters right now.
“It’s... blue...” Alice states stoically, and my heart clenches.
It’s like someone sucked the emotions from her veins, leaving behind this poor husk of a girl. Madoc was wise to bring her back to the hideout; who knew what would have happened to her if he and Belle hadn’t arrived on time.
The wraiths would have sucked her dry. That’s what they do to humans, and it’s the reason why they are growing in numbers. More and more humans like Alice are falling into the Abyss, and we have to do something. Fast.
Or it will only be a matter of time until the world is destroyed. Both worlds.
Belle beams, giving the dress another spin, and she hardly looks perturbed by the girl’s lackluster response. “It sure is!”
Alice gazes off into the distance yet again, and it hurts to look at her. Her eyes have that glassy sheen, and I bet she has gone back to the land ofWonderlandagain.
“Violets are blue... I once knew a violet. She called meweed.”
That’s right. The talkingflowerthing.
Belle peers my way, and we share a small look of mutual understanding. We don’t judge the poor girl or belittle her in any way; we just let her continue with her ramblings.
She has yet to tie up the strings of her dress, and now she indicates for me to help her. “Think you can help a girl out, Nero?”
My body tenses as I gaze at her back. The dress shows just the right amount of skin and neck, and I don’t think I’m going to be able to make physical contact.
This is going to be hard.
However, I don’t want to leave her hanging, so I approach her side, fussing with the strings of her dress.
Belle gasps when my claws graze her skin ever so slightly. and I know it’s not out of shock or dismay. Goosebumps pop along the back of her neck, and I spy her hair standing on end.
It’s like my touch has given her an electrical shock.