Ava | Chapter 78

I stilled; my blood turned to ice in my veins. It took me a second to fully register Curtis' form whilst he stood before me, a sinister grin lifting the corner of his lips. My thoughts fluttered about, stopping me from speaking as I instead starred with nothing but fear in my pupils.

He laughed, distorting the hidden side of his face into a disturbing grin. "Hello, Ava. Did you miss me?"

I stepped back, anger blooming in my chest. "You... What did you do to Cade!" Ruby snarled in harmony with my words, the fur of her neck spiking into a frenzy.

"Don't fret, sweetheart, he's fine. For now." Curtis smiled to his own response while he stepped out of the shade, revealing the full extent of his deformity; half of his face was covered in scar tissue and honestly, even I wouldn't wish this kind of pain to my worst enemy... And yet part of me couldn't help but relish at the damage we'd cause.

Curtis circled around me, gingerly walking to the kitchen to pour himself a cup of coffee, strutting