Bitter Submission ✓

Chapter Fifty Four

| Fifty-Four|

|Alethea|

"I didn't know what I was doing. I had no control. Dom made me do unspeakable things. Things that I have no memory of. I guess I really am weak," Jamie stared at his hands as he spoke.

This was the third time that he had brought this up and it pained me to see someone suffer in the way he did. Osma talked about Dominick rarely, but I knew he was a man that shouldn't be trifled with. 

I looked at Tessa's missing fingers and sighed inwardly. This man has made many people suffer. I don't know if it was because of my age, but I didn't understand why incubi felt the need to dominate us. I get that it was in their nature, but incubi like Jamie and Blair seem to handle it pretty well.

Even Jesse seemed to do his best with what he had. Jesse may not have been there the whole time, but he did what he did to protect us and that's all that really mattered. It took me a lot to understand that but Blythe made me understand.

While Jesse was gone, I hated him. I hated him for abandoning us. Blythe was the only one that understood. 

"Jesse don't leave, you don't have to!" I screamed, my voice raw.

He turned his head only, his body a bit lanky due to his young age. His eyes were pulsing red and I could feel the anger rolling off him in waves. "You know I can't do that. If father finds out that I am hiding you two girls here, he'll kill me and Osmum. You cannot be out in the world and I cannot stay here. It's too dangerous."

"No! I refuse!"

There was a pregnant pause before he whirled around and grabbed my shoulders, slamming me into the nearest wall. His eyes settled on mine before he spoke. "You cannot refuse! You will listen to me." The grip on my shoulder tightened, enough that I winced. 

Blythe stood there behind us, watching Jesse with tears flowing down her cheeks. She was young, but she was a very smart girl. She knew things that I wish I knew. She was mature and understood brain over the heart. 

"You leave from this place," I said evenly, "I will never forgive you."

I acted on impulse.

I always did. 

"I don't need you to forgive me, Alethea. I need you to listen," Jesse said. His voice was wavering, something that I rarely heard. His grip didn't waver. He just stood there, a nerve ticking in his jaw.

"Take me with you," I whispered, longing to see more, experience more. I didn't want to stay here. I didn't want to be kept in the dark. 

Jesse let go of me and started fast walking towards the door. He picked up his duffel bag and left without a word. 

No goodbyes. Just the sound of the door slamming shut. I slid to the ground and put my head in my hands. 

Blythe sniffled, walking over to me and helped me back to my feet. 

"You know he loves us right?"