Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 159050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 795(@200wpm)___ 636(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 159050 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 795(@200wpm)___ 636(@250wpm)___ 530(@300wpm)
“It’s my fault!” He stepped closer, daring to meet Beast’s gaze. “I’ve summoned William Fane. I’m so sorry.”
William’s face went slack, and he turned to Elliot, his cold eyes burning with fury. “It’s a secret, you fool! Don’t you dare say another word!” He was by Elliot’s side in two strides and reached for Elliot’s throat, but expecting the attack this time, Elliot grabbed William’s hands to keep the bone-cold fingers away. William hissed, his face twisting so rapidly it seemed as if the skin weren’t in any way attached to the bone and muscle underneath. Unable to grab Elliot into a chokehold, he pushed at Elliot’s fingers, twisting them against the joints in the knuckles until his entire arm felt like it was about to break.
Knight was there before any of Elliot’s joints could snap. Eyes drilling into Elliot’s, and with a bruise already forming around his eye, he pulled Elliot’s own hand away from the other, preventing damage.
“What? But how would he make you...”
Beast’s face turned into stone. “You did what?” his voice trembled with barely held back rage, and he stepped closer again.
“No, no, no…” Laurent whined, backing into the corner and covering his mouth. At least that turned Beast’s attention away from murdering everyone in the room.
Someone opened the door and wanted to walk into the restrooms, oblivious to what was happening, but Gray pushed the man back out and locked the door.
It was hard to speak when most of Elliot’s energy was set on resisting William, but the ghost wasn’t as strong as he would have probably wished. “I’m so sorry, Knight. I was so upset, and he was there, he listened to me. He told me your blood would rebuild his body. But what he really wanted was to possess yours. I didn’t know, I swear!”
William growled and slapped Elliot so hard his head twisted until it hurt his nape. “Stop telling everyone our secrets!”
“Fuck off!” Elliot yelled back at him.
Knight pulled him closer, rolling to the floor to sit against the wall as he held Elliot still, preventing William from using Elliot’s own body to inflict any more damage. The strong, healthy thud of Knight’s heart against Elliot’s ear muted the angry shouting coming from William, and for a moment at least Elliot could take a breather.
“Fuck. You’re so unbelievably stupid. I told you not to trust him! I told you!”
Beast, who had his arms around Laurent, watched them with thick veins popping on his tattooed forehead. “What—you knew about this?”
Knight scowled, and his heart rate galloped. “I saw the ghost. But it was confined to one room. I just locked it. You two were so busy with the—”
“Oh, shut your fucking mouth,” roared Beast, and it seemed that only Laurent’s need for protection stopped him from charging at Knight again. “What else are you keeping from me? You’re my VP, and I can’t trust you!”
“Is he here?” Laurent whispered wrapping his arms around Beast’s waist.
Elliot nodded, pressing against the safety of Knight’s arms. Even though they weren’t in a relationship, Knight still had his back. He cared for Elliot’s wellbeing, no matter how unpleasant Elliot had been to him lately. Knight could have found a much better use of his time, one that wouldn’t aggravate his close friends, and yet he stood on Elliot’s side and gave him attention Elliot hadn’t earned.
“I don’t want him here, Beast,” Laurent whimpered and hid his face in Beast’s chest.
Knight swallowed and slowly glanced into Elliot’s eyes. “So... he’s inside you?”
“Just wait while I get something inside you,” hissed William, pacing around the restroom with his hair in disarray.
Elliot bit his lip and nodded again, feeling like the most pathetic creature on the planet. “He’s… mean to me.”
Gray groaned from his spot at the door. “No shit. He’s a dead serial killer.”
Elliot took a deep breath. “Knight… I’m so sorry. He claims he can enter the body of those who have his killer’s blood in their veins. He’s saying Laurent is the one who killed him. I don’t understand. He got so strong when he wanted to attack him. I didn’t want to do it for him. I swear I didn’t!”
Knight’s grip on Elliot’s shoulders slacked, and he leaned back, going pale within two seconds. “Are you saying we’re cousins?”
Elliot couldn’t bear saying it while looking into Knight’s beautiful eyes, so he closed his own for a moment. “No. You’re not a Mercier. Not even a drop.”
Chapter 22
Knight’s head was ringing.
He stared back at Elliot, feeling as if the verbal slap had done more damage than Beast’s fists ever could. “W-what? That’s bullshit. He’s manipulating you again,” he said, even if his voice sounded faint to his own ears.
He was a Mercier. Of course he was.
Elliot’s eyes were red as he shook his head. “When I cut you, he couldn’t enter your blood.”