Chapter 123 – Murder–2
–LIA’S POV–
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Warmth.
That was the first thing I registered. There was something soft beneath me, and something heavy across my chest. My lashes
fluttered. The room smelled like pine and cedarwood, and fluttered. The room smelled like pi
something like cinnamon.
Cinnamon rolls maybe? Tea?
I sat up too fast, and the sudden light blinded me.
I squeezed my eyes shut and held my pounding head, trying to understand what was going on.
Then the blanket slid down, and the cold air hit my skin, making me realise what had happened.
I was naked, and probably somewhere with Blake.
My breath caught in my throat.
I leaned back against the headboard, clutching the blanket to myself like it was some kind of armour. My heart pounded in my freaking throat, and my ears rang softly.
Where was I exactly?
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The walls had wooden texture. There was a dresser on one side, a worn leather jacket hanging on the back of a chair. The curtains were drawn, pale light leaking through. I didn’t recognize any of it.
Blake’s house, maybe? But where was he?
As if on cue, the door creaked open.
Blake walked in, holding a mug. He stopped mid–step when he saw me awake and hiding behind the blanket like a shield.
“Hey–” He raised one hand like I was a wild animal. “You’re okay. I swear, you’re okay.”
“What did you do to me?” My voice cracked. “Why am I naked?”
“Nothing,” he said quickly. “You fainted. You were bleeding and freezing, and I couldn’t find your clothes.”
“What about your t–shirt that you put on me?” I cried. “Why did you take that off?”
“Because it was dirty.”
“So you stripped me?” My breath came in short, fast bursts. “Are you insane?”
His eyes widened. “I didn’t look! I kept my eyes closed, I swear.
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I just…” He exhaled hard. “There was blood all over you, Lia. Blood that wasn’t yours. I cleaned it off. That’s it.”
“You cleaned my body?” I asked, feeling violated.
“There were flies buzzing around you. A centipede was stuck to a would on your thigh. Did you expect me to let you remain like that?” he asked in disbelief. “I didn’t do anything to you, Lia. I swear, alright? When Zane shows up, ask him to check if you don’t believe me!”
His tone was angry now, and it immediately made my throat burn.
I looked away from him, tears pricking my vision.
Blake sighed.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “You’re right to doubt me.” He stepped forward and sat at the edge of the bed, near my feet. It quickly pulled my knees to my chest to create distance. “I swear I didn’t do anything inappropriate to you, Lia.”
I sniffed, watching him.
He looked tired. And worried. A bandage still peeked from under his sleeve.
He didn’t seem guilty. If he’d done something, I would be feeling drawn to him.
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At the moment, only his scent was slightly comforting. There was no crazy attraction or anything. Maybe I was safe.
“You said… when Zane gets here. Did you call him?” I asked.
“Yes. I did. I promised you I would.”
“What did he say?”
Blake pursed his lips. “Between a string of curses and threats, he said he’d be here in a minute.”
I wiped my runny nose. “How long has it been to that?”
“Ten minutes,” he replied.
“How long was I out?”
“An hour.”
“Why didn’t you call him immediately?” I asked.
“Like I said, I was cleaning you up. I’m sorry. I did what I thought was right.”
I stared at Blake, unsure what to say. My heart still raced in my chest, and even though his words seemed genuine, even though nothing felt off, I didn’t know how to trust him anymore.
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I was still naked underneath this blanket. I’d fainted. He’d
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bathed me. No matter how much he tried to explain or justify it, it didn’t make the knot in my stomach disappear.
But I didn’t want to cry again.
“I didn’t want Zane to see you like that,” Blake said quietly. “Covered in blood. Barely breathing. I thought-” He hesitated, looking away. “I thought I could protect you, just once. Do something right for a change.”
I stayed quiet.
“You… do you know what happened, Lia?” he asked after at
moment.
I wiped my nose again, then shook my head.
“Has this happened to you before?”
“Not like this,” I said softly. “I disappeared in the middle of the night once. But… there wasn’t…”
He stared at me, then nodded.
“Are you…”
I glanced at him, brows pulling together. “I don’t know, Blake. I don’t know what I am. Neither does Zane.”
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Blake scratched his cheek, his green eyes stuck on my face. “Is there anything else?” he asked.
“No.”
“I did notice… you don’t wear your glasses anymore.”
My eyes widened. I looked away from him.
“You healed really quickly too. I was starting to dress a cut on your foot and it healed right in front of me.”
“Yeah,” I muttered. “It’s been happening ever since that night. When The Order tried to kill me.”
“Why?” Blake asked.
“I don’t know.”
He rubbed a hand over his face, then stood up. “Anyway, I’ll wait outside. You should drink something, and when Zane gets here, you can go home. I’m sorry if I did anything wrong. I was only trying to help.”
I watched him walk to the door. He paused, glanced at me once, and then stepped out, leaving it half–open behind him.
I exhaled slowly, the silence pressing in around me. The tea sat on the table. I didn’t touch it.
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I still didn’t trust him.
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I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, knees to my chest under the blanket, fingers pressed to my lips. The ache in my head had dulled a little, but the chill in my bones hadn’t left. My thoughts were a mess. A tornado of guilt and shame and confusion.
How did this happen? Why did it happen? What the hell was I?
Why did Zane leave? Why didn’t he stay outside?
Did he stay and still lose me?
What was going on?
There were heavy footsteps outside.
A knock slammed the door against the frame as it swung open.
“Lia!”
Zane’s voice hit me like lightning, relief flooding me in spite of everything that had happened.
I looked up, and there he was, disheveled, panting, eyes wide and burning black. His hoodie was soaked in dirt and sweat, hair tousled like he’d run straight through the woods without stopping.
He stared at me, studying me—sitting naked, my hair damp,
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Chapter 123 – Murder–2
cheeks flushed.
“Zane,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
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I thought he’d run up to me and sweep me into his arms. I thought he’d immediately hold me against himself, reassuring. me, comforting me.
But Zane turned to Blake, who stood outside, his arms crossed, his face blank.
Everything about Zane froze.
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