C R E A T U R E

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 29・

Asya rolled over lazily, tangling in the soft covers as she closed her eyes for another snooze. Her cheeks were warmed with early morning sunshine peeking through a chink in the curtains, casting a thin beam of light over the bed. With a contented sigh she drew the duvet up to her chin and snuggled farther under the blankets to shield herself from the frigid winter air.She couldn't even remember the last time she slept in. Her days always started with some kind of routine, some sort of plan to map out the tasks she needed to get through. But currently, wrapped up in warmth and pillows, she had no idea what time it was, or what the rest of her day would look like.It was a commotion downstairs that eventually prompted her to get up and leave behind the comforts of her bed. She pulled a loose-fitting grey jersey over her pyjamas and set off to see what the rest of the house was up to.Entering the kitchen, she found Roman, still in sweatpants and a hoodie, sittin

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 28・

Moments after Roman closed the door behind him, Asya started pacing like a caged lion around the room, racking her brain to try and make sense of the last twenty minutes and the utter loop it had thrown her for.It's too much, she told herself. Way too much, he had asister,that was hissister,she met hisfamily, he trusted her to meet his family, let her into his life, his whole life,thatpart of his life.Dropping her bag on the Chesterfield couch at the foot of the bed, she unzipped it and saw that her hands were shaking, a faint tremor passing through her long fingers every few seconds, accompanied by a too-wild hammering in her chest.Oh god.

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 27・

Asya was still contemplating making a run for it as she got into the passenger seat of Roman's car. There was still a smarter decision that involved bolting back to the life she knew, the life she could control, the life she could predict.With no idea where they were going or what she was getting herself into, and nevermind the fact that she was with the guy she'd promised herself she was going to stay away from, she was still irrationally willing to follow him anywhere.'Ready?' Roman asked, starting the ignition. She gave him a sidelong nod and settled in her seat, drawing her legs into her chest and hugging her knees.They drove out of the parking garage next to the company headquarters and Asya rested her head against the window. The heaviness in her eyes wasn't

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 26・

Who the bloody hell did he think he was?!Asya stormed downstairs, fuming internally as she made her way to her floor. He couldn'tcontrolher. He couldn't just snap his fingers, click his tongue and she'd come. Who in the bloody hell did he think he was?!No, she'd spent the better part of her life trying to please people, trying to win their approval by doing what they thought was best for her and being controlled bythosevery people. But she'd grown up and grown sick of it. Control over her own life, her own decisions, that was essential. She knew better than anyone else what she needed.And yes, being around the Oper House during the busiest time of the year would probably be a little painful, but she...She could handle it. And she didn'

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 1・

There's a lot an audience doesn't see.Crooked toes. Protruding ribs. Bruised feet.If they did, they'd never watch another ballet again.But there's more they don't see. Things no one ever sees.

C R E A T U R E   ･:*:･ f o r e w o r d ･:*:･

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 5・

Over the course of the next week Asya had class with

C R E A T U R E   ・C H A P T E R 4・

Asya sucked in a steadying breath of air as she extended her leg past her shoulder, clenching the muscle in her hip flexor to hold her balance in the tricky extension. She raised her chin to soften her neckline, scanning the long mirrors on the wall in