Silent Scars

CHAPTER 90

VICTOR GRAYSON

The room was too quiet.

The faint hum of the old chandelier chains above me.

I sat in the center of the room, the velvet chair sinking beneath me like flesh. The air was heavy with mildew and rot. I liked it that way. It smelled like home.

My head jerked toward the window.

I couldn’t see anything out there, just shadows stretching long across the city, the skyline melting into the last smear of sun. But I knew she was somewhere beyond those hills.

My fingers twitched against the armrest of the velvet chair. The phone in my other hand buzzed once, then clicked to life before the second vibration.

"They went out."

The voice came through low, cloaked, almost hesitant.

A smile pulled at the corner of my mouth.

"Domain and the girl?"

"Yes. Just the two of them. No guards."

"Hah..."

The sound tore from my throat like a cough wrapped in laughter.

"Let them."

I whispered.

"Let them enjoy their little walks and smiles and borrowed peace while they can."

A pause.

I stood, phone to my ear, pacing.

"Let her believe this world belongs to her now. Let her taste freedom..."

My fingers curled so tight around the phone I heard the casing crack.

"Because when I take it all away, when I drag her back, she’ll remember what it means to be helpless."

I turned slowly toward the glass, face reflected back at me, eyes bloodshot, skin pale.

"She’ll remember who owns her."

And then I laughed.

A sound that scraped the ceiling.

Twisted. Animal.

The kind of laugh that makes sane men leave the room.

The kind that starts with joy and ends with screaming.

The caller didn’t speak right away.

"Will the plan really work?"

A question, hushed.

"Will they come to the gathering?"

I stopped laughing, all at once.
My smile didn’t fade. It sharpened.

"Of course they’ll come."

I whispered it like it was a holy truth.

"Leonardo's too proud. Marcus too careful. And Domain....oh, Domain...."

I chuckled again, quieter now.

"He’ll follow big brother straight into the fire if he thinks it’ll keep Ariana safe."

I dragged a hand through my hair. Clumps came loose. I didn't care.

"If they don’t come..."

My voice dipped. Cold. Delighted.

"...then things will get even better."