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The scream slices through the air like a knife severing skin.

For amomentI think it's just the wind, screaming through the sky as the storm hits. It's picking up speed, raging against my body on the clifftop.

But it's not the storm.

Ava, half shielded in the darkness, suddenly jerks backward. The whites of her eyes widen in shock. Her scream sounds like it's being ripped straight from her throat. I know in a split second that the sound will be tattooed onto my memory for eternity.

I don't see the car until it's too late. But the driver's door is openandthere's a man dragging Ava backward.

Who the fuck is that?

In a split second, I can feel my body charging, sprinting down the rocks toward Ava. There is no decision. It's pure fucking instinct.

I came here tonight to end my life and save hers in the process. I wanted to free her from the monster I carry in my brain. I couldn't save Henrik's, but I could save hers.

But now some motherfucker has his hands on her. This wasn't supposed to happen.

The man is dressed in black, blending into the darkness. A balaclava covers most of his face. His hands wrap around Ava's body and pull her backward. She stumbles against his grip, but she'ssomuch smaller than him. In a second, he's pushed her into thetrunk of the carand slammed the door shut.

The sound rings out over the storm like a bullet.

I'm left with the last image of Ava's eyes staring at me, wide with desperation.

The engine is revving into life as I reach the car. I slam on the driver's window, but he floors the gas, starting to pull away. I ball my fist and smash it through the glass. The window collapses under the blow. I feel the biting sting of glass shattering around my fist, but I don't fucking care.

The bastard grunts in shock as my hand makes contact with his throat. I clench my fingers shut around his neck, my thumb digging into his jugular. I'm burningwith the desireto crush every fraction of life out of him.

But the car speeds upandhis throat is torn from my grip. The tires skid along the dirt as it accelerates into the path between the trees. I'm running after it, my lungs on fire.

I run until my throat is rawandblood is crashing in my ears. I run until my legs are seconds from giving out under me.

But the car has sped into the distance, and Ava along with it.

Those eyes. Gray as silvery moonlight. Filled with terror. That can't be the last I see of Ava. I couldn't save Henrik from the monster within me, but I can make sure Ava is safe. Even if it isn't with me.

The evil I've been fighting surges through my veins. I exhale hard, feeling the rain soak my skin as I stop resisting.

All semblance of light fadesandicy resolve replaces it. Puredarkdetermination swells within me.

That fucker is going to regret the day he was born.I'm going tosend him back to whatever hole in the ground he crawled out of.

Maybe I am the devil.MaybeI do deserve to die.

But just one last time, I can use the evil inside me.

I'm going to use it to make sureno one hurts Ava Cain.

My phone buzzesandI grab it from my pocket.

Unknown number

The Gallery.

Come now.

No games or the Detective dies.