All Chapters of Sheltered and Ruined in His Darkness: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Kai opened his eyes.He felt someone watching him.His heart jumped before his mind caught up. He turned his head.Mr. Ashford was sitting in the chair by his bed. Arms crossed. Watching him.He was still in yesterday’s clothes. His hair was messy.He had never left.“What?” Kai’s voice was rough. “What are you doing?”“Making sure you’re safe.”“You stayed here all night?”“Yes.”Kai sat up. The blanket fell away. He felt exposed. Vulnerable. A shiver ran through him.“You watched me sleep?”“Someone has to.” Mr. Ashford’s face didn’t change. “You don’t lock your windows.”“That’s… that’s not normal.”“Normal won’t keep you alive.”Mr. Ashford stood up. He stretched. His shirt was wrinkled. He looked tired, but his eyes were sharp.“Get dressed. We leave in twenty minutes.”“I can get to school myself—”“No.” Mr. Ashford walked toward the door. He stopped. “The rules are changing.”Kai’s stomach dropped. More rules.“What rules?”Mr. Ashford turned. His gaze was intense. Focused. Not

Kai opened his eyes, confused about where he was.The ceiling was wrong. Too bright. Too clean.Then he remembered. Mr. Ashford’s house. The break-in. The message.He sat up slowly. Everything was too quiet. Too still.He hadn’t woken up in the middle of the night. He hadn’t checked the locks. For the first time in years, the weight on his chest was gone.The safety felt unnatural. Wrong.Kai got up. He put on yesterday’s clothes. He opened the bedroom door.He almost ran into Mr. Ashford.“Oh—sorry, I didn’t—”Mr. Ashford was standing in the hall. His sleeves were rolled up. His tie was loose. His hair was damp.He looked tired. As if he hadn’t slept.“You should knock before you leave your room,” Mr. Ashford said.Kai blinked. “This is your house.”“Exactly.” Something softened in Mr. Ashford’s expression for a second. “That means you’re safe. But I still need to know where you are.”The thought settled heavily in Kai’s stomach. Mr. Ashford was still watching him. Even here.“Come.

Kai stared at the ceiling.Sleep wouldn’t come. Every time he closed his eyes, he heard Damon’s words. Rough. Low. I’ve killed before. I’ll kill again. For you.The apartment was too quiet.Kai was used to hearing footsteps. Damon pacing the hall. Checking doors. Watching.Tonight—nothing.Just silence. Heavy.Kai turned onto his side. He pulled the covers up. But his thoughts wouldn’t stop.Then—a soft knock.At his door.Kai froze.“Damon?” he whispered.No answer.Another knock. Softer. Almost hesitant.That wasn’t Damon. Damon didn’t hesitate.Kai sat up slowly. His heart pounded in his chest.“Who’s there?”A voice came from under the door. Quiet. Unfamiliar.“Are you awake?”Kai’s blood ran cold.That wasn’t Damon.“I saw you today,” the voice continued. Gentle. Persuasive. “You looked scared.”Kai pressed himself back against the headboard. He put a hand over his mouth.“He shouldn’t have taken you,” the voice said. “You don’t belong to him.”Oh god. Oh god.The intruder was in

“I’m going to school.”Damon stood in the doorway. His arms were crossed. His face was blank.“No. You’re not.”“I can’t skip forever,” Kai said. “I have exams. I’m already behind—”“You’re alive. That’s what matters.”“I’m not your prisoner.”The words came out harsher than Kai meant.Damon froze. Something flashed in his eyes—pain, then anger, then fear.Silence hung between them. Heavy.Finally, Damon gave a single, stiff nod.“Fine. I’m taking you.”The drive was suffocating.Damon’s hands were tight on the wheel. His knuckles were white. His other hand tapped his leg—a nervous, restless movement.Damon never fidgeted. Never showed nerves.Kai watched him from the corner of his eye. He thought about saying something. He stayed quiet.They pulled up to the school entrance. Students milled around, staring at the expensive car.Damon turned to him. “Stay in crowded places. Don’t go anywhere alone.”“I know—”“I mean it, Kai.” Damon’s hand came up. He cupped Kai’s cheek. His thumb was

Damon sat on the edge of the bed. His arms rested on his knees. His head was down.It was the first time Kai had seen him look… human. Not strong. Vulnerable.Kai leaned against the door frame. Watching. Too afraid to speak.Finally, Damon spoke,his voice low. Rough. Tired.“His name is Aiden Crest.”A pause.“And he was once the most important person in my life.”Kai’s breath caught. Damon,cold, closed-off Damon,had let someone in?“What happened?” Kai asked quietly.“He tried to destroy me.” Damon still didn’t look up. “So I destroyed him first.”The words hung in the air.Damon rubbed his hands over his face. Exhausted.“We were close. As close as two people can be.”Kai felt a twist in his chest. Jealousy? Fear? He didn’t know.“But Aiden was obsessed with control.” Damon’s hands clenched. “He wanted to own me. Every part of me.”Kai stiffened. That word sounded familiar. Too familiar.“Like you” The words slipped out before he could stop them.Damon’s head snapped up. His eyes lo