At this point, he barely moves anymore, so I slash at his throat. His head lolls to the side, his hands falling to the floor.
“And that one was for killing not one, but two bunnies, you motherfucking psychopath.”
After that, things get a little blurry. I slash all the other spots I remember from my lessons again and again, not caring if they cover me in blood too. Then I sit on the floor at a safe distance to make sure he’s not going to get up again.
I’m still in that exact same position when a door opens somewhere and footsteps approach.
Chapter22
Matteo
“Downstairs. I found her.”
It’s Zeno’s voice in my earpiece, and Ash and I rush toward the door that should lead us downstairs.
Finally. Fucking finally. It took us almost two days to find her, and I haven’t slept or eaten much in that time.
Please be okay, please be okay.
Zeno hisses. “Holy shit. Gemma, look at me. Fuuuuck. Gem. Hey, over here. It’s me, Zeno.”
Ash meets my gaze with wide eyes. I don’t think either one of us has ever heard Zeno talk like that—to anyone. My feet move even faster than before, and I almost trip down the stairs in the process.
I jump off the last few steps and turn the corner to the open room, but nothing, absolutely nothing could have prepared me for this.
“Motherfucker.” Ash comes to a halt beside me before we both jump into action, running to Gemma, cautious not to slip in the blood that seems to be everywhere around her. On the floor, the ceiling, the walls. And on her.
Zeno spins our way and shakes his head. “She’s not responding. She just keeps staring at him.”
That’s when I notice Frederico for the first time. He was hidden by the kitchen island as we came in, but fucking hell, he resembles something out of a slasher movie.
Andshedid this.
My fiery queen who looks like she was born from blood.
“Passerotta.” My voice sounds as pained as the darkness and sorrow I feel inside my body right now.
Gemma’s eyes widen, and her head snaps in my direction. Then she’s scrambling to her feet, needing several tries to get up without slipping. She runs to me, and I open my arms as wide as I can, catching her as she collides with my body and sobs.
“It’s okay, baby, I’ve got you.” I brush over her hair that’s crusted with blood. How long has she been sitting here like that?
Ash walks around us, his concerned gaze scanning over what he can see of her. “Gem, are you hurt? Is any of the blood yours?”
She takes several deep breaths and slowly untangles herself from me. I don’t ever want to let her go again, but Ash is right, we need to make sure she’s okay.
“I’m . . .” She clears her throat.
Ash produces a water bottle from his backpack that he unscrews and hands to her.
She takes it and hisses but still lifts it to her mouth, draining the whole thing.
“Did you hurt your hand?” Ash gingerly takes her hand to examine it. It’s covered in cuts, but he doesn’t appear too concerned about those.
Gemma flinches a few times but doesn’t say anything.
Ash grimaces. “Sorry, Gem. We need to get some X-rays done to double-check, but I’m pretty sure you fractured your hand.”
Gemma nods. “It hurt like a bitch when I punched him, but then I didn’t feel the pain as much as I was . . . you know . . .” She glances around and rolls her lips.