Jarv

scratches on the hardwood floor, jagged

g the banister as I watched the heavy oak

ttom, wearing a smirk

t my eye

he room. It wasn'

about

thing but a shell, a husk, just so she cou

ing intense interest in a painting on the wall, his sh

he came in

The distance between us was only inc

ce strained. "This is the last thing, Jenna. I promise

n't a

a myth. Nor

, I found them i

cross the table, deliberately

e said, biting into a piece of toast that had

ion didn't reach her eyes. "Oh, Jenna. Go

ran col

you left in the closet," she said br

ll my boxe

The one with the little crystal

art s

t sealed bottle in existence. He had saved it for my wedding day, bu

I asked, my v

," sh

dn't

the guest room

before I even cro

omber. The scent

w. The dark amber liquid was soaking into the pristi

I whim

to my

e to scoop up the liquid, to save

sliced int

he pain. I only

d from the doorway. Her

hands dripping wit

amed. "You did this on

front of her, shi

" he shouted. "You're ble

ding up my lacerated hands. "

ack. "Why do you always have to villai

eding hands with di

said. "Go clean yourself

ked a

ge of my father's legacy, prote

st weak. He

too

y jeans, leaving dark, crims

verwhelming, a funeral s

enly calm, terrifyingly steady. "I am