Clara still looked utterly confused, but she followed my instructions.
She came back with a black trash bag.
I took it.
And without hesitation, pulled it over Nathaniel’s head.
For one second, the air split like a blade through flesh.
The expressions on Marielle, Julian, and Evangeline’s faces twisted simultaneously—fear, confusion, fury—as if I were actually about to murder someone.
“Aria! Are you insane?!”
Evangeline shrieked and charged toward me, raising her hand to slap me,
Just like she always does.
I grabbed her wrist, no mercy whatsoever, and flung her hand away.
“If you can’t help, shut up.”
The entire living room fell silent.
Even Nathaniel’s harsh, rasping breaths sounded jarringly loud.
I swept my gaze across them, my tone cold enough to rise from beneath a sheet o
