Sighted

Chapter 33: Trust Me

Bowden

"You'll have to be the one to do it," I whisper in Owen's ear. I only have a few seconds more to be this close to him, to breathe in his scent. Since I'm not sure how far Rosemary's control over the poor saps behind us goes, I make sure to keep the syringe hidden between our bodies as I slide it into his back pocket. "Wait until she's completely distracted."

     Stepping away I avoid looking at Owen's face and make my way over to Rosemary, playing my part. It's second nature for me to keep my true emotions hidden, serving me well in the past days working with this psycho. I was expecting the cruelty when I took the position she offered me, but her ego is at a level all her own. I almost regret exorcising Weston, that poor fool must have suffered so much.

     I'm worried at how slight Owen felt. He's always been petite, but he seems to have lost weight suddenly. My last scene of him, going out the window with Gin has been haunting what little sleep I've managed to get but Dylan had assured me that he was recovered from the darts.

     Those damn darts, Owen should have let them hit me instead. In the end, it was enough to break the bracelet's bond and I was released from the curse, whatever that was. It will take more than a bracelet to break my bond with Owen.

     After Gin told me to just go, and she took her brother with her, I was still frozen, kneeling on the carpet staring at the open bracelet. Rosemary's heels had come into view and I'd looked up at her. I had felt weak, possibly from the curse being broken, or I would have throttle her right there.

"Want revenge for that ugly piece of crap jewelry? You cost me a powerful demon, why don't you come work for me in exchange?"

     I'd only taken a moment to consider it and had accepted. It was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, knowing first hand what Rosemary and her corporation are doing. I had found out quickly that they'd had human spies watching all of us for weeks. When I could sneak away I materialized to the apartment and was relieved to find that everyone had got out safely.

     I assumed they went to their parents' home, but if I tried to find them I'd lead Rosemary to them so I continued feigning obedience. I didn't have to personally dirty my hands when she expanded her army several days ago, but I felt enough of a monster knowing it was happening. Thankfully, the humans survived the process.

     When Dylan was dragged into DemGen two days ago, I almost had a heart attack. I'd heard in passing that a mouthy halfling was brought in and feared the worst. I managed to intervene, but I had to admit to Rosemary that he was the halfling staying with us in order to prove he was more valuable alive.

     I was allowed to question Dylan separately, but I knew there'd be surveillance. The boy had talked to me like normal at first, telling me everything without asking, like how Owen was, what their plans were and where everyone was. He'd begged me to return and help. I barely managed to keep up the pretense when he'd broken down about his parents, shocking me at the anger and pain he'd been holding onto. In the end of it, I had to turn my back on Dylan, pretending to have switched sides completely. Then I had to add the sound of Dylan's sobs to my nightmares too.

"How could you do this to Owen?" He'd yelled as I left his confinement room. "Owen loves you!"

     I clench my fist in my hand. I am trusting in Dylan on that, that Owen doesn't despise me. I know it would take more than a bracelet to break my bond with Owen, because I'd fallen for Owen before I even got that damn thing.

     I had things messed up back then. I was everything I was raised to be and I was a bad boy. I didn't even know how skewed my view on life was. I knew I was being tailed by a chosen one, but I was careful. There weren't many that had gone against the tiny woman and survived, so I started investigating her myself. That's when I came across her beautiful little brother.