August led us through the Caverns, the boisterous rumbles of the distant crowd few and far between. The Gladiator death matches would soon come to an end, which meant our chance of escape with no witnesses was growing scarce.

We stopped at a random roller door—an exact replica of the countless others that lined the walls. August gave some elaborate directions, all while snapping the lock, wrenching the roller door upwards and instructing everyone through.

I stepped forward, August automatically pulling me into his side as I addressed the group.

“If you have nowhere to go, you can stay low at Hangman’s Clinic. We can help provide a new start for you, if that’s what you want. If not, you're free to go your own way. Do whatever you want, go wherever you want. But know this: you saw nothing, you heard nothing. We never existed. If you decide to run your mouth, return to the brothel or sell information, keep one eye open. We will come for you, that I promise.”

Most of them blanched, their gazes bouncing to August as they scurried further through the door, no doubt reliving his slaughter of the Ludus Maximus guards. It didn’t help that the man in question was exhibiting a serial killer smile, his face and naked chest still covered in our enemies’ blood.

Lily was the last. Pausing on the threshold, she turned to me. “Now I know why you weren’t scared. You're bat shit crazy.”

“You’re not wrong.”

She scanned August’s arm that laid atop my shoulders, then resolve settled in her purple eyes before she enveloped me in a crushing hug. “I’ll stay at Hangman’s Clinic.” Lily retreated after a few seconds, a light blush raised on her cheeks. “I hope to see you again. Rose?”

I shook my head. “I’ll tell you my name the next time we meet.” I wasn’t sure if we ever would, but I was surprised that I wasn’t totally opposed to the idea.

Her steps led backwards as she gave up a smile. “The next time we meet, you can call me Chai.”

My lips automatically lifted in return, her face disappearing as the roller door closed shut.

Chapter 32Micah

The skies were gloomy with dark grey menace, the distant rumbles of thunder approaching closer. Goosebumps rose over my skin as a light breeze swept through my thin, short nightgown.

It was early in the morning as I stood at the top of Variant Sanctorum, overlooking Junction City with a sense of trepidation. Turns out, a simple vendetta for revenge was a convoluted mess of betrayal and duplicity, which didn’t seem like such a quick fix anymore.

We had returned hours ago. Emerson had healed my wounds and, after a shower and food, we had a thorough group debrief.

Emerson and Tanner were unable to breach the Inner Ring of the Caverns, despite the added help from August’s friend. They decided to abort and not jeopardise my rescue.

All of them were conflicted when I told them about Oscar. They felt betrayed, and rightfully so. I hadn’t told them and let my emotions override my judgement by killing the asshole. Although they held reservations, they understood my reasoning, all retreating to their own forms of therapy.

Spencer went out partying to write herself off. Emerson entered another street race. Tanner went hunting to torture a few more people to find his own leads. I would have attempted to round them up, except that when I was wrapped up in August’s presence, I fell asleep instantaneously.

August Mathers.

An anomaly I didn’t see coming, a glitch in the system of our plan for revenge. Now such a visceral part of me, his aura I couldn’t live without. Could I give him all of me, knowing I would willingly break myself apart, splinter my own fucking heart to pieces to get the retribution I so desperately craved? The revenge me and mine were owed?

I’d known for a long time. No matter how battered I’d become, I would freely offer up those fractured parts of me…as long as he was willing to take them.

That wasn’t the issue.

Are all the broken pieces of me enough? Enough for him?

PSYCHO

Micah’s elbows leant forward over the railing, looking down on her city like a goddamned anointed queen. The storming clouds overhead broke apart for the moonlight to shine on her glowing brunette hair, the long tresses floating on the drifting wind. Her nipples puckered through her sheer cream nightgown, the colour perfectly complementing her bronzed skin.

I had woken with a start, the bed empty next to me. The last I remember was her head laid upon my chest, my hand rhythmically stroking her damp hair before I befell to slumber. I blindly traced the halls in a pair of grey sweats, my instincts leading me high. Always towards her. My aching legs and cold, exposed chest all faded into the background when I watched the phantom being in front of me.

Intuitively, my bare feet carried me forward to stand guard at her back. She straightened, the top of her head coming up to my chin. I heard her gasp as I fingered the slim strap of her nightgown, tracking it down her shoulder, my lips following the fabric with featherlight pressure.

Micah stopped my descent, placing a hand over my roaming fingers and turned full-bodied, giving me her face. That beautiful, bewitching, captivating face. My breath faltered, the city lights twinkling in the background, making her amber eyes blaze into my reality.

Her palm cupped my jaw, her thumb tracing over my lips as if she was mesmerised. She seemed scared, hesitant to utter whatever she was thinking into existence. My hands wrapped around her waist, imprisoning her in the cocoon of my arms.

“Talk to me, baby,” I whispered into the air.

“I know you care for me. That’s not in question,” she swallowed hard, her throat bobbing. “But I need you to know. The road I’m about to go down…it will be a long and turbulent one. I’ve lost so much. We all have. But by the time we are finished, I’m sure I will suffer many more losses. I want you to fully comprehend what’s at risk here. I may not come out the same Micah you have grown to know.”

“Care for you?” I practically choked on the acidic words. To diminish my affection to such an insignificant feeling. Nah, I don’t like the sound of that.

She leant backward as my arms tensed. With my whole front crowding in on her, I practically sneered in her face. “It’s too late for your warning, Micah. Your soul is mine to bare, and I will tear it back from the borders of hell if that’s what I have to do. I more than care for you, baby. I fucking love you.”

Drops of rain began to trickle from the sky, the added moisture adding to a wayward tear that escaped straight down her cheek. I caught it with my tongue, my lips finishing at her eyelid, where I pressed a kiss.

“I need you,” she said. Three simple words to ignite my dead, unfeeling soul.

My fingers skimmed under the hem of her nightgown as I slowly raised it up over her head. She wore nothing underneath, her full breasts scraping against my chest. I lifted the fabric above us and let the wind rip it from my grasp to float into the clouds, right before rain cascaded from the skies.

I knelt before her, my gaze stretching up over her naked body as water flowed down her luscious curves. Her eyes held undiluted power as I laced her fingers with mine and kissed the back of her hand.

“All must bow before death.”

“Is that what I am, August? Your death?”

I trailed my lips upward, nipping her wrist. I whispered my devotion through my actions. “My life.” Lick. “My death.” Bite. “Everything in between.” Suck. “It all belongs to you.”

She sighed when my tongue traced the red gladiolus tattoo on her upper thigh—her tattoo for me. Permanently imprinted on her fucking body, never to be wiped from her smooth, golden skin.

I was obsessed, completely fanatical.

Micah leant back against the metal railing, her hands tightening in my saturated hair. I lifted higher on my knees, teeth sinking into the underside of her breast before enveloping her nipple in my mouth.

Her soft pants clouded the air, mixing with the wet atmosphere. My lips chased stray raindrops that trailed down her toned abdomen, her muscles quivering beneath my roaming hands. I took my time, salivating in the pressure of her flesh, indulging in the increasing tremors of her body.

“I was put on this earth solely to worship you.” I lifted one of her legs and hooked it over my shoulder. I kissed along her inner thigh, avoiding her sweet spot when she shifted forward, blindly searching for my mouth.

“August, please.”

“Always so good with your manners, Golden Girl.” Relenting, I pitched forward, licking between her slick lips, dousing my tongue in her signature taste. I tormented her pussy, kissed her tantalised flesh, sucked on her clit until she gave me her first orgasm of the night.

I wasn’t finished, more than ready to keep going forever. Her bare foot shoved past the waistband of my wet sweats, toes curling over my hardened cock. It jerked in appreciation.

“Give me your mouth, August. Come to me,” Micah said, her hypnotising eyes coercing me upward like a spellbound fool.