Salt A Dark College Rockstar Reverse Harem Romance

Prologue-Aria

In the dead of night, where dreams become nightmares and nightmares become reality, I jolt awake. My heart pounds a merciless rhythm against my ribs, each beat echoing the fear that consumes me. Sweat clings to my body as I search for the invisible threat. In the daylight, my cream-colored walls fill me with serenity, but right now, they’re cloaked in a darkness that mirrors the pitch black color of the demons that haunt my soul—and there are so many.

Too many.

I don't know what woke me up, but the familiar surge of fear tells me it was another nightmare. I've had them for years, but the moment I open my eyes, they slip through my mind like sand, leaving only a devastating sense of dread in their wake.

Though their details are invisible, I know what’s caused them. The man who watches my every move. The one who hides in plain sight, taunting me with his obsession, his vows of destruction. The letters, the promises.

The threats.

Death.

It doesn’t matter what measures are taken to protect me. All the money in the world could never stop a true psychopath from luring out his prey. I may not know who he is, but without a shadow of doubt, there is one thing I’m certain of.

I'm not safe, not even in my dreams.

As I lie here in silence, I feel someone watching me. Ignoring it, I beg my racing heart to calm, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t bring myself to close my eyes.

I uncurl my fists from the soft embrace of my black down comforter, one finger at a time, as if coaxing my body into submission.

You can do this, Aria. You’re not afraid of the dark, not anymore.

My heavy eyelids flutter closed, then spring open again on instinct, my heart thundering once more. The process repeats, again, and again, until I’m verging on tears of frustration. Will I ever be normal again? Is this what the rest of my life will look like?

I just need to sleep. I’m so tired.

I will my mind to escape to a happier place, a place where I can finally find some peace. Exhaustion weighs me down like an anchor, sinking me deeper and deeper into the inky ocean.

Seconds tick by, and without conscious thought, the familiar chords of my favorite song begin to fill my mind, slowly replacing the suffocating darkness that lingers there. It's an eerily beautiful rock ballad I'd know anywhere. Each note resonates with a sad yet comforting melody, a gentle lullaby written by my favorite human in existence, just for me.

His voice is raw with emotion, the lyrics telling a story of heartache turned healing. As the music envelops me, I feel a sense of connection, like always. It’s almost as if he’s right here, holding me, promising me everything will be okay.

As the music plays on in my imagination, I surrender to its power, allowing it to guide me through the hectic maze of my own mind. The room around me fades away, and I'm transported to a place where the demons that haunt my sleep are momentarily silenced.

But just as I feel myself slipping away into a peaceful state of twilight, a loud sound rips through the night, jolting me back into the waking world. My eyes fly open, and I shoot up in bed, heart pounding, and body vibrating with fear.

My gaze darts frantically to the locked bedroom door, searching for any sign of intrusion. My breaths come in ragged, erratic gasps. My nerves are on edge, electrified by the sudden intrusion to my sanctuary.

I tuck my lips between my teeth to muffle the loud breaths that threaten to escape, and strain my ears, listening intently for another sound, my senses heightened to their limits. Time passes in agonizing silence, and then it happens again—a loud bang, followed by a thud. My mind races, trying to make sense of the sounds.

My thoughts quickly turn to the layout of the cabin. Large enough for our entire family, though they couldn’t make it, the cabin’s been our temporary home for the last six weeks. My father's room is just down the hall, but the noise seemed further away than that, maybe downstairs. It had to have been him. There’s no one else here. He sent the security guards to their own cabin for the night, since everything’s been so quiet lately.

Until now.

Fuck.

My heart continues its frenzied dance, but I know I can't stay hidden in my room forever. Slowly, I slide my feet from the bed, the cold wooden floor sending shivers up my bare legs. My fingers tug on the oversized shirt I fell asleep in, one of Daddy’s from years ago. It hits me mid-thigh and I consider putting pants on, but the overwhelming silence that followed the crash pushes me forward.

Silence can’t be good.

With every step, I move cautiously toward the door, my ears straining to catch any hint of what might be happening beyond my room. The world outside feels dark and menacing, but I can’t stay. I don’t have a choice. My palms are clammy as I wrap my trembling fingers around the door handle. I hold my breath, praying to a God I’ve never believed in that the world is on my side for once.

As if granting my silent plea, the heavy wood opens without a sound, and I send a murmured thank you to the stars. My senses remain on high alert as I step into the dimly lit hallway. My eyes slide to the right, taking in the row of doors opposite the wall of windows. All of them are closed but his.

“Daddy?” I whisper, edging toward his room, but I hesitate, unsure if I should spare the time to make sure he’s not tucked in his bed. “Dad? Are you up here?”

Nothing.

My lower lip trembles as I quickly dart to the left, leaving the quiet calm behind me. My fingers glide over the smooth surface of the polished redwood walls as I tiptoe through the hallway.

I reach the top of the stairs, and my fingers instinctively wrap around the cool iron banister. Just as I'm about to begin my descent, another crash echoes through the house, followed by a muffled grunt.

“Get off me!”

I’d recognize the deep, gravely voice anywhere.

Daddy .

Panic rushes through me, and without thought, I surge forward. My feet slap against the rounded staircase that leads into the living room. Glass shatters, quickly followed by the sound of meaty flesh colliding. My heart races, the staccato beat sending blood rushing through my ears, echoing my terror perfectly.

“ You ?” he accuses.

I freeze, my eyes widening. Maybe it’s not the intruder I’d assumed. Daddy recognizes him?

“Why would you do this to her?” he bellows, pulling my attention back to the fight. No one responds and the utter rage-filled terror in his voice only grows with the silence. “You’re dead, motherfucker, dead! This ends now!”

Using the banister to slow my racing steps, I come to an abrupt halt on the last stair. My eyes frantically move across the enormous expanse of the bottom floor, searching through the barely lit room for any signs of him. The light over the large range in the kitchen is hardly enough to illuminate the open floor plan and the curtains are drawn tight over the windows.

With shaking limbs, I slide my fingers up the wall, blindly searching for the light switch. My foot lowers to the landing and I steel my spine for the fight of my life.

I don’t have to see to know who’s here. I don’t need a light to know what’s happening right now.

He’s found us. Found me .

A calm washes over me as reality sets in. Tonight is going to end in my death.

Just like he always promised it would.