Chapter 99 Sinister essence!
|| Author Pov ||
Killian pulled the shirt over his head and stepped toward the mirror. Tossing the fabric aside, his eyes darkened intensely the moment they locked onto his own reflection. His muscles flexed.
Killian brushed the silky lock of hair with his long slender fingers. His calm gaze shifted to the chain around his neck resting on his collarbone.
Hanging from it, was a tiny skull-shaped locket, black and polished with diamond. Inside, dark red blood shimmered faintly like sinister—the same blood from the shard that had accidentally cut her palm.
The skull was made of that broken shard.
He had preserved her blood for this, refusing to let it go to waste. He’d specially ordered it and received it just this morning.
The weight of the locket around his neck stirred a dark emotion Killian struggled to put into words.
Her blood. Her essence. She. Her soul.
Everything bound to him by that tiny relic. Entwined in a way nothing else ever could.
He had went that crazy.
The skull hung dangerously close to his stoned heart. Its dark crimson glow pulsed against his broad chest.
He had a hard time feeding her the food and pills. She was scared to even move.
Suddenly, Killian’s phone rang sharply, pulling his attention. He answered and moved toward the open window. The sunlight traced the contours of his muscular frame.
His features were cold and precise but the bloody skull locket resting against his chest lost its sinister glow in the harsh daylight.
“Speak.”
Killian’s deep tone drifted into the open air while his eyes settled on the garden. Then, they fell upon the small patch of flowers.
They had grown well. The little flower blooms were visible but now lay slightly parched without water ever since he had caged Rosalie.
A quiet breath escaped his lips and Chris’s voice crackled through the device. “Boss, we need you at the office. Important matters need your attention, and there are meetings to attend. And about Cedric—”
Killian’s cold eyes didn’t change but his grip on the phone tightened.
“Alright. But if any reporters show up, I’ll personally tear your head off, Chris! Clean them before I reach there!” he warned sharply.
Chris acknowledged with a quick reply before Killian ended the call without another word. He flicked his tongue against his cheek. His eyes blank suddenly.
He didn’t want to leave her alone but the mountain of work waiting for him was important.
𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃
Moments later, Killian’s footsteps echoed sharply as he descended the stairs in his formal attire. He strode toward the door. His gaze subconsciously landed on the maid who quickly lowered her head in a respectful bow.
“Master, has she eaten?” Lilia asked nervously.
Killian barely acknowledged her. His eyes fixed on the large door ahead but he nodded. “Do not enter her room until I tell you to!” His order was stern.
He wouldn’t allow anyone else to witness her broken state. If he had destroyed her, then only he had the right to see those bruises and the beautiful marks–every last one.
Lilia nodded hesitantly. Killian nodded briefly and took a step but then halted on his place. His eyebrows narrowed before he turned back.
“And water the flowers in the garden.” He ordered.
Lilia confusedly blinked at him before nodding silently and heard his boot clicking out.
𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃𓂃
Chris stepped in Killian’s office room. Killian rubbed his temple and shot him a sharp look.
“Did you find anything at the party?”
Chris exhaled heavily, lowering himself into the chair opposite. “No. You wanted a private gathering. No CCTV cameras. You said Cedric Thorne was there when you were about to leave, right? If he was there, we could’ve caught him on screen, but–” Chris clicked his tongue, then frowned. “What business would that man have at a mafia gathering anyway?”
“I was wondering the same!” Killian hissed, eyes flashing dark. “That fucking cocky bastard was near me, breathing the same air and I didn’t even know. If I had–” His voice dropped, nose flaring. “–there would’ve been a massacre blood bath before the night was over!”
Chris kept his expression neutral. He couldn’t shake his concern for that little girl, Rosalie.
He knew she had tried to escape and a part of him burned to know what Killian had done after catching her. But deep down, Chris was certain of one thing–Killian wouldn’t kill her.
So he kept his mouth shut.
“You’re sure there wasn’t a single CCTV feed? No footage? No one recorded anything?!” Killian’s eyes bore into him.
Chris shook his head. “We checked. Nothing.”
Killian leaned back in his leather chair. The tension in his jaw tightened. “Fuck!”
“The news will spread soon anyway, but–” Killian’s voice broke off in frustration, his gaze shifting away. He sighed. “Keep digging! Any single frame, any scrap of evidence! I just need to see his face!”
Chris blinked at the sharpness in his tone but gave a firm nod. “There are few meetings. Your schedule will tighten after the public revelation. There will be business offers—”
“Get lost!” Killian snarled without even sparing him a glance.
Chris sighed. “I’ll send you the mail.” he muttered, rising from his seat before leaving the room.
Killian leaned back in his chair. A long breath slipped past his lips. His mind drifting back to Rosa. He wondered what she might be doing now.
The drug he’d given her induced a deep sleep—was she resting after taking the pills?
He wanted to see her, God. He missed her like a deranged creep. He was suffocating. As if he couldn’t breathe without her. And she thought she could leave him?
A low, humorless chuckle slipped from his lips. Foolish girl.
Killian pulled out his phone and fixed his eyes on the screen.
The spy camera he’d planted in her room allowed him to watch her whenever he pleased.
Killian sat there, gaze locked on Rosa’s still form. She was silently sitting in the same position–staring at nothing, lost in her thoughts.
Killian didn’t know how long he’d been staring before finally exhaling and shaking his head.
He rose from his chair, snatching his coat from the desk which he took off earlier and slipped the coat over his broad shoulders. The fabric settled around him like armor.
၄၃--------၄၃
Dusk had fallen when Killian stepped out of the conference room. His men followed behind him.
“Boss, another meeting starts soon. Should I—”
Killian’s fist clenched tightly. He cut them off with a sharp flat glare.
“Cancel it. All of it.”
His men retreated, bowing deeply.
He’d been suffocated by useless meetings all day, unable to focus on anything, locked on the one thing he couldn’t stop thinking about.
His rabbit.
Killian drove straight back to his mansion.
He stormed into her room without hesitation. His icy gaze fixed on Rosa’s still form which was nestled beneath the duvet up to her chest like a tiny bird and eyes closed in fragile slumber.
Killian stepped closer, drinking in every delicate line of her face. She looked peaceful. With a faint sigh, he lowered the air conditioner and quietly left the room.
After changing his clothes, Killian returned to her room again with food. He placed the tray on the nightstand, then tugged at Rosa lightly.
Rosa’s heavy lids lifted with effort. Her vision was still hazy from sleep. The fog in her mind cleared just enough for her to recognize the devil and her entire body tensed.
Killian guided her stiff body upright. Rosa’s heartbeat drummed louder with each second. She felt like a lifeless doll in his grasp.
His fingers slid through her hair, brushing stray strands away from her face. Rosa flinched at the touch.
“You need to eat.”
Rosa’s gaze drifted around the room, avoiding Killian’s eyes.
Her eyes instantly found the glass of water when he placed the tray down. She grabbed it with both hands before gulping it down in desperate swallows.
When it was empty, she hesitated, wiping her lips lightly with the back of her hand before placing the glass down.
Killian said nothing, just watched. Then, his arm slipped around her waist, pulling her closer. Rosa stiffened instantly, flinching when his hand came up to grip her chin.
She kept her gaze averted. Fear made her chest tighten. Her fists tightened over her shirt when his lips touched hers in a quick peck–followed by the faint pull of her lower lip before he let go.
Rosa’s throat felt dry all over again. His pecks brushed her lips repeatedly–each one made her knees curl with growing anxiety. Shaky gasps slipped out of her as he leaned closer. Her fingers dug into the duvet in a desperate grip.
“You’re allowed outside.” his voice was edged with control, “but only within the mansion gates.”
Rosa avoided his piercing gaze. “You must be hungry, bunny. Eat well. When I come back, I want this gone.” He pressed one last gentle kiss to her forehead before rising.
Rosa finally exhaled in relief once the door closed behind him. She gently pushed the tray aside, letting her trembling hands wrap around her knees.
Pearly tears traced silent paths down her cheeks and she buried her face in her arms, seeking comfort in the small shelter she created for herself.
|| Next Morning ||
Rosa’s eyes fluttered open. She struggled to sit up. Her body ached but the sharpest pain had softened. With shaky legs, she forced herself out of bed and limped toward the washroom.
At least she could feel her legs now.
Standing before the small mirror of the shower, Rosa stared at her reflection. Faint bruises and marks still marred her pale skin. A wave of sadness washed over her and she gently traced her bare chest. Her fingers trembled.
Those marks on her breast looked unfamiliar. It didn’t feel like the first time she had his marks on her. Her eyes stared at herself.
Another memory flashed before her eyes–