Chapter 52

I’m not surprised when Alyssa steps into the visitor’s room. By this point, I have her footsteps memorized—the audible clack of heels against the white tiled floor.

I slip into her head just as she sits opposite me, gaze fixed on her manicured nails tapping against the table.

“One of my men contacted me the other day,” Alyssa begins softly. Despite her words being directed at me, her eyes are glued to a water stain on the wall. It’s the only blemish I have noticed in this nondescript room. Everything else is painted in stark white, with freshly scrubbed floors and wiped-down tables. I imagine the warden wants to give a certain impression to family members—that this prison is a respectable, clean place.

“What did he say?” I ask as Alyssa’s gaze travels to the one-way mirror. There’s a determined set to her jaw, and her eyes are clouded with pain.

“He doesn’t think Lionel did it,” she says quietly, demurely. “He doesn’t think Lionel killed Raphael.”

Raphael. Man.

Even just his name evokes full-body shivers. Does Alyssa know about his past activities at the Compound, or is she just the poor, unfortunate soul who fell in love with an evil man?

Maybe she was blind to his demons. I know I can be when it comes to the men I love.

“I’m at a loss for words,” she whispers brokenly. “I don’t know what to believe anymore. If Lionel didn’t kill Raphael, then who did? You? I doubt that.” I catch the inquisitive look on her face in the reflection before she turns to me completely. “I still don’t believe you killed Raphael, but now, I don’t know who did.”

“And you trust this source?” I query. What had she been told that changed her entire perspective of Lionel Green?

Alyssa’s vision shifts as she nods once, a decisive head bob. “I do. He has been undercover for years now and is a close confidant of Lionel. I haven’t been able to contact him since this whole thing went down, but he recently got in touch with me.” She blows out a breath, stirring the curl that had fallen in front of her face. “Lionel is just as terrified as the rest of us. He believes someone is targeting council members. He’s only left his house once since this whole thing began. Tell me, Nina, is that the behavior of a murderer? Or a scared little boy?”

I feel as if this is a test. My answer will determine how we proceed next. The tension and anxiety saturating the room is nearly stifling.

“I don’t know,” I answer. “I honestly don’t know.” I bite down on my lower lip as my stomach tightens into knots. I wish desperately that Alyssa would look away from me, towards her reflection. There’s no way of knowing if I passed or failed her makeshift test.

“I’m going to get to the bottom of this,” Alyssa says resolutely. “Raphael was my whole world. I loved him. One touch from him was goddamn nuclear. We destroyed each other in a way only loved ones could.”

There’s a potent pain to her words. I try to imagine a love like she’s talking about, a love capable of destroying the parties involved, but I can’t seem to visualize it. Love is supposed to be sweet and bright, breaking apart the monotony of darkness, one crack of lightning at a time. It’s supposed to be gracious and calm. That’s not to say you won’t get hurt—you will—but the joy will overshadow the pain.

“I’m sorry this happened to you.” Alyssa clears her throat, pulling herself out of her memories. She gracefully rises to her feet. “We’ll keep searching. I want the truth. More than you can possibly know.” My heart cracks like an aged stone being dropped. Her pain seems to radiate throughout the room, seeping into my skin.

“I’m sorry too,” I whisper as she exits the room.

I don’t immediately pull out of her head, watching as she walks down the twining halls of the prison. A few of the guards wave to her, smiling, and she returns their waves with her own pleasantries. Everyone here seems to genuinely like Alyssa, her presence magnetic.

What attracted her to a man like Raphael? What face did he wear when he was with her? I saw the monster, the demon, the nightmare. She saw a charming man who spun lies like a spider spins webs.

She’s in love with a monster, but then again, so am I. With a few of them.

Alyssa finally exits the prison and takes a deep breath. Elation flows through me when I realize this is the longest—and farthest distance—I have been in someone’s head. I wonder how long I can hold the connection…

She moves to a chain-link fence with gargoyles perched on the turrets. A rough-looking guard waves to her.

“How are you doing, Alyssa?” he questions.

Hearing.

I’m hearing through her ears.

I’m giddy with excitement, knee bobbing up and down.

What else can I do? Can I feel her clothes against my skin? Smell the fresh air?

God, I miss fresh air.

The sky is a brilliant blue canvas overhead with a golden sun directly in the center. It appears as if the prison is located in a barren wasteland. Nothing but red dirt spreads in all directions as far as the eye can see.

After speaking briefly with the guard, Alyssa moves to a black car idling just at the entrance. The driver rushes around to open the door for her, head bowed submissively. It’s only when he lifts his head that I freeze, blood pulsing through my body. I feel lightheaded, and I swear my heart cracks open, weeping blood.

I recognize that man.

He has white-blond hair, curled around his ears, and a wicked, vertical scar marring his left eye and right cheek. His lips are pursed, as if he’s eaten something disgusting and is trying not to swallow.

He’s from the Compound.

I don’t know his name—everyone called him M—but he’s definitely one of the men who tortured me on the daily. One of the men who strapped me down, put a scalpel to my throat, and watched me bleed. One of the men who tormented a vulnerable little girl just because he could. He wasn’t as bad as Man, as Raphael, but he still haunts my nightmares. Him and the dozen other men and women who deemed me a toy to play with and break.

Panic threatens to sweep me under like a ten-foot tidal wave.

Why is Alyssa with him? How does she know him?

Alyssa stops suddenly, her reflection visible in the passenger side window. Her ruby red lips curl up into a smile, but there’s nothing warm about it. It reminds me of a frosted-over sword.

“Nina,” she purrs, her smile growing, “I know you’re here.”

I pull myself out of her mind so fast that I get whiplash. Bright colors disrupt the darkness I’m so accustomed to. My head spins and spins and spins with this onslaught of information.

How is this possible? How does she know about my abilities? How did she know I was in her head?

My panic increases until it’s nearly overwhelming. I can’t focus on anything else. My heart picks up speed, pounding in my eardrums.

There’s only one thing that makes sense. The final piece of this distorted puzzle.

Alyssa worked for the Compound. Works for the Compound.

Just as that thought forms, something sharp pricks my neck. I gasp at the initial stab of pain, stomach somersaulting, as my consciousness begins to wane.

Alyssa betrayed me.

That’s the last thought I have before I lose myself to the darkness.