Empty Eyes: Book 1

Chapter 7

"I'll release you if you agree to stay silent."

My face was hot as my breathing was hindered by Itachi's large hand covering my mouth and nose, but I nodded quickly, wanting nothing more than this man's touch away from my body. Bile rose in my throat as my heart beat loudly in my ears.

These are the same hands that violated that girl, the same hands that took her life.

My legs nearly gave out when he finally removed himself, but I held myself together and took a few steps back to create some space. Tears rose in my eyes as I tried to come across brave, meeting the murderer's scarlet eyes straight on. Shame and disgust made my skin crawl and I tried to keep my composure.

He waited a few moments for me to catch my breath, standing with his back to the closed bedroom door and effectively blocking my only escape route. Eventually he spoke, his voice soft and pleasant, which somehow made him even more terrifying, "Please allow me to explain myself."

My voice was hoarse as I spoke in a hushed tone, not wanting to anger him by being too loud, "If you don't think I'm aware of the things you've done, you're mistaken!"

His pupils shrunk as his eyes narrowed. After an agonizing pause, he replied, "Listen to what I have to say. I'm not the one you should be afraid of within the walls of the castle."

Anger was starting to overpower the fear in my blood. How dare he try to fool me like this! Does he think I'm an idiot?

"I don't know what you're trying to do, but your brothers' and uncle's rooms are within earshot and at least one of them is bound to come if I start screaming." Internally, I was very proud of myself for standing up to him like that, but that pride faltered when Itachi let out an uncharacteristic scoff.

He followed it with a small laugh that didn't hold an ounce of humor, "If I was going to hurt you, I would've done so by now. If you don't want my advice, fine," he opened the door and gestured for me to exit, "Leave. Do not come to me when you're in trouble in the future."

I was utterly lost in confusion. He had a point. The way I'd been told about his crimes, he'd attacked that girl the moment he could get her alone, not even a few hours after meeting her. If I've learned anything from all the true crime novels I read, it would be that murderers often find a pattern and stick to it. If that's true, then he would've killed me long ago.

I hesitated, having an internal battle on what I should do, "What...?"

It seems that I'd insulted the eldest Uchiha prince too much and his eyes flared up like gasoline thrown into a fire pit. He hissed out in a horrific voice, "Get out!"

My blood ran cold as he took a threatening step closer and I bolted out of the room, running as fast as I could down the stairs and back toward the family room. It had to be my imagination, but Itachi's facial features seemed to change when he lost his temper with me. The whites of his eyes were darker, his teeth sharper, and the skin around his eyes seemed unnaturally veiny.

With a shake of my head, I rid my mind of those outlandish thoughts and composed myself before walking as normally as possible into the room. The queen was ordering a group of Militia to do various tasks like delivering invitations, purchasing fabric, and hiring musicians. I waited patiently, not wanting to interrupt.

Once the group had received their orders and exited the room, Mikoto turned to me with a knowing smile, "I have a gift for you, Dear. Follow me."

I glanced at the binder I'd abandoned on one of the sofas as we passed it, following her as I'd been instructed. Curiosity ate at me when we climbed the steps and entered her and Fugaku's quarters. I forced my gaze to the floor because it somehow felt taboo to behold the personal area of the royal couple.