Her Shadows

CHAPTER FORTY-NINE

AMELIA POV

Four hours later I awake in a haze, my calf bandaged and treated, the pain since dulled.

I run my hands over Jayce's sheets, looking for the imprint of where his body laid only hours ago as we collapsed in exhaustion.

I can faintly hear water splash from the bathroom as I shuffle to the side of the bed and slowly stand. Avoiding putting pressure on my injury, I limp toward his desk and crash into his chair.

As I settle my breathing a particular piece of art scattered amongst papers and paints catches my eye.

Intrigued, I pull it from amongst the mess and smooth out the edges.

Then the oxygen whooshes from the room.

Framed through the glass of a window, the view peers across rolling green grass, baby blue skies and simple houses of a neighbourhood far in the distance.

But the focus, is the roof of a neighbouring garage, particularly, the ghost of red hair and fair skin atop it.

A mess of crimson curls and forest eyes. Surrounding the ethereal body is the faint outline of yellows and whites. As though an angelic halo surrounded the beauty.

Is... is this how he sees me?

I am for a moment reminded of the drawing he once showed me, of myself at the restaurant in a dress of emerald starlight. The same halo graced my figure then as it does now. He truly believes me to be an angel.

Suddenly I feel a presence behind me, the creak of the wooden floors as Jayce stands at my back.

Without turning, I say over my shoulder, "how long have you known?"

"Since the beginning. Just... bits and pieces. It all made sense tonight."

I slowly peer over my shoulder, spying his form as he crosses his arm and looks down at me. Not sure if I can face the truth without the defence of my eyelashes, I peer through them as I ask, "why haven't you said anything?"

I feel him shrug, "I don't know."

He places a hand on the back of his chair and I allow him to spin it around. I finally look up and see him, freshly showered, eyes puffy and red rimmed. No doubt from the residual smoke and recently-shed tears.

My heart aches to see him in such a dishevelled state.

"And now that you know everything... what do you think?"

"I think I am nowhere fucking near knowing everything. I think you're practically Pandora's fucking box and the more I try to crack it open, the more horrors of the world will fly out."

I physically feel my heart splinter at his words, shards breaking off like petals falling from a flower. He thought I was a horror? I mean, he's right. But I never wanted him to know it.

I put my head down, feeling more vulnerable and stripped bare than ever before. Somehow, he had peeled back my every defence and now, I can't seem to find the energy to build the bricks back up.

I slowly nod, "I understand."

I feel him stiffen, arms tightening as they're crossed against his chest. "No, I don't think you do."

I look at him quizzically.

"I think you're trying to close the box again. I think you're trying to shield me from whatever fucked up shit is inside, and I know I don't want you to. I want to know every burden in that box, cause I'm pretty damn sure that a fucking trafficking auction is just the tip of the iceberg for you."

He kneels down, taking my hands and cradling them to his chest as I peer at him defenceless.

"I want to know everything about you. And then I want to take you far, far away from any of it. I don't want you anywhere near this awful world I only had a glimpse of tonight, but you seem to live in."

I almost choke on my tongue at his words and I can feel my eyes water. I wish I could do what he wants. I wish I could leave.

"That's the thing Jayce. I live in it. This is my life and there's no leaving it. I'm not trapped in a world of evil. I AM the evil!

"No, you're not! You don't have to be! This isn't you're only option Amelia!"

"IT'S NOT THAT EASY!" In frustration I try to stand up, only to hiss at the scorching fire that courses through every bone as I put pressure on my injured leg.

I hear a whispered shit from Jayce as he immediately stands and catches me. He then leads me to his bed and sits me down on the edge.

I take a deep breath and don't let his gentleness derail me from what he must understand.

"This is who I am, Jayce. I will never be more than this!"

He sits beside me and holds my hands in his lap once more, "I think you can! I think you're scared and feeling stuck, but I refuse to believe that these are the only cards you are dealt for the rest of your life! Sunshine, baby, we can escape this!"

I refuse to think about the shooting sparks I feel at his endearment and continue.

"But I AM this! All you want is... is... is to CHANGE me! I won't be changed!"

Jayce jumps to his feet in irritation, "I don't want to change you! I want to free you, Sunshine."

"Jayce, I'm a killer, I'm a liar, I HURT people. There is no being free from this!"

I peer at him through the crystallised vision of my tears. My beautiful Jayce, who just watched me carve my way through bodies, blood and flames and still wants me.

I haven't cried for 11 years and I couldn't believe that I would start now. But this was Jayce. He tore things from my soul I had long buried and brought them to the light, whether I wanted him to or not.

He seems to jolt, then desperately he grabs my shoulders and leans down to meet me eye-to-eye. His whispered words almost knock me from consciousness.

"Run away with me."

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OMG ITS ALL HAPPENING NOW!!!!!!!

Will they run away together? How will they escape Eugene? 

Keep reading to find out!