The Dark Rose 🌹 {18+}

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'It hurts to kill a dream, like tearing petals off a rose in full bloom.' - Lauren Willig

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I feel numb, every inch of my being completely unattached to my emotions, no longer angry, depressed, hurt...

Just numb.

I mindlessly grab my plate of food and sit down at the table, my face void of all emotion, my heart now stone cold, weighing heavily in my chest.

Last night after Luther had allowed me to fall apart in his arms, I told him the terrible thing I did and why I did it. At first he was shocked, disappointed but he agreed to clean up my mess, making sure their deaths never leak back to me. I can't thank him enough for everything he's done.

When I left the lounge, I went back to Aldéric's bedroom and collapsed onto the bed, falling into a deep sleep instantly. I had briefly seen him this morning but he seemed angry, barely talking to me for that matter and had left pretty upset but I couldn't bring myself to care.

It was good that he was angry with something, it would mean he was distracted rather than being focused on me and what I'm doing.

I've barely touched my food, my appetite none existent as I stare down at the food, my mind elsewhere.

I only care about one thing now and that's going home. I want my brothers, I want my freedom and I want to be back in that library. To be the same girl reading a book, where the only vampires existed on that of pages.

But now, I know they exist. I'll never feel safe, always looking over my shoulder and straying away from the shadows.

Safety is no longer a luxury for me. But I won't let fear drive me, I don't have it in me to be afraid. If I die, I die and that will be the end of my torment. No one can touch me beyond death.

"Rosalyn, is everything okay?" It's Lara, taking a seat opposite me, staring at me with concerned, green eyes.

I nod but don't answer, remaining silent. Lara goes tense, a frown pulling her lips into a tight line, "What happened?"

I can't bring myself to answer the question. The memory of Peyton and Quinn dead sends a sick feeling to the pit of my stomach."Do you want to leave this place?" I change the subject, my gaze lifting from the plate to glance around the room.

Lara furrows her brows, confused by the sudden question, not understanding why I've asked but she answers me anyway, "Well, of course I want to Rose but I've learned not to dwell on things that will never happen."

"What if it could happen?" My words hold a promise, knowing I have the power to save Lara as well as myself. I don't care whether Luther will disapprove. Like I said, I'm numb, uncaring and no longer afraid of anything, including death. However, Lara has been the only solid friend I've had in this place.

I want to save her.

Lara glances around paranoid before whispering, "Then yes, I would love to leave. But Rose-"

I cut her off, my eyes snapping to meet hers, "We're leaving this place, you and me, in less than a week."

Lara's eyes widen, surprised that I'd blurt something like that out in the open. She's in disbelief, trying to figure out whether or not I'm being serious, "Rose, you need to be careful when saying things like that. If they hear us talking about escaping we'll be severely punished."