Echoes (Dance with My Demons #2)

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Damon

After Grey leaves to escort Avery back to her room, I head down the corridor to find Connor. He's stationed at the door for the night shift, and gives me a respectful nod as I approach.

"Fetch some new bedding and change my room," I order him.

Connor nods, rushing off to take care of it. Blood doesn't faze me in the slightest, but I have no compulsion to clean up Grey's mess.

I'm not surprised in the slightest to have found my room in that post-coitus condition, but I'm glad to see that they have made up. It was a slight detour in the road, but now we can get back on track.

I hate that I've had to accept that she makes him stronger. No one should ever have their emotions and strength controlled by someone else. But alas, this was just another situation that needed taking care of.

After reflecting on it, I decided that I can utilize Avery after all. Sadly, it just involves having her around in a more engulfing capacity. Preferably, I'd rather as little contact as possible, but winning is winning. It doesn't matter what you have to do to get there.

Sitting at my desk, I flick open the file from Byrone detailing the new patient's information. I had planned to meet him today, however it appears Christopher has decided to play difficult, sheltering him from me.

Never fear—tomorrow is a new day.

When footsteps head toward my room, I raise an eyebrow in surprise. Grey struts back into the room a few seconds later, an airy, carefree composure about him.

"I wasn't expecting you back so soon," I tell him lazily, scanning the file.

He sits on the bed, stretching out. "Avery needs rest. Besides, I have a suspicion she will be woken up early by Arthur. Apparently, he's assigned her to another task."

There's a darkness to his tone, distracting me from the file. Swinging the chair around, it's confirmed by the look on his face.

"What now?" I ask annoyed.

Grey's face tightens. "He's fucking with us, Deadman. He knows she's with us and is pressuring her for information."

I fold my arms. "And do you think she'll give it to him?" I question, wondering if it's too soon to regret my decision.

"No," he answers confidently. "Which is why he has resorted to other methods."

"The chores," I shoot back. "We were already aware of this."

Grey snarls. "It's beyond that. He's torturing her, cutting her off from everyone, trying to get her to kill herself."

That's actually a surprise. I know Arthur has a mean streak, but I wouldn't have thought it would go that far. Bastard is really ramping up his game.

"I doubt she'll do it," I tell him carefully, knowing it's a sensitive subject for him. "Would you like me to pay him a visit?"

A smirk tugs on the corner of his lips. "I think I'll do it actually. It's on my list tomorrow, as well as locating Ashwood."

I roll my eyes, turning back to the file. "Just don't draw attention. I don't have the patience to clean up two dead bodies."

Grey laughs. "I'm sure it will be fine. Now, are you going to go into some more detail about this… blessing ?"

"You already know the answer to it. I need you to stay focused, and this is the best way for that to happen. Also, I've been thinking about what you said initially. Perhaps you were correct in how we can mold Avery."

"I see…" he says, pausing. "You want to use her against Arthur."

Closing the file, I swing back around, throwing it onto the bed next to him. "Yes. He wants to use her to get to us. So, we will use her to stop that. But if she becomes a liability again, there's no second chances. You need to sort this mess out."

"You're referring to Ashwood," he points out with a snarl at his name. "I'm working on it."

"Good," I say firmly, nodding to the file. "New patient details. Rian Thatcher. Interesting history, transferred from the county jail."

Grey picks up the file, flicking it open. "Thoughts?"

"Lilydale obviously picked him for a reason. I'm hoping to gain more insight into that once I'm able to get to him."

"Do you want me to distract Christopher for you?" Grey asks, reading the information.

I lean back in the chair, crossing my arms. "I believe Avery has an appointment tomorrow. That will give us a free window. Thatcher's schedule is in there. Locate him and bring him to me."

"Done," he says casually, still scanning the file. "Have you given any further thought as to what you want to do with Capello?"

"We need to question her. Markel's notes only detailed what we already assumed. I'll get Jillian to do it. Perhaps she'll be more willing to talk if it's another female."

Grey closes the file. "I need to find the asshole who framed Avery. You promised me a venting system—that's the way to do it."

I snort, giving him an amused look. "You didn't just vent before?" I ask, glancing over the bed. "Was it not enough blood for you?"

I'm teasing him, and he knows it. But his eyes darken, confirming the fact that he needs to really hurt someone.

"I'm serious, Deadman."

"I know," I murmur, strumming my fingers on my arm. "I'll sort it out."

The next morning, I tell Grey I'll be waiting in the library. He runs off happily on the hunt for the infamous Rian. I've already confirmed with the guards that Avery has been escorted to Arthur's office this morning, and as soon as her psychiatrist session starts with Christopher, we make our move.

It doesn't take long until Grey returns with a brunette in tow. He looks confused, but not at all worried.

Standing at the far end of the library, I wait until they reach me, not bothering with pleasantries.

"Hello, Rian. We haven't met yet but if you haven't heard of me, you will soon."

He glances at me with pale brown eyes, face as dead as I am inside. "Rightio. I assume this is some lecture about politics or some shit."

"You could say that," I murmur low. "You'll be answering to us. I have no doubt Whittingham has given you some poor excuse for a lecture at his orientation. "

"I'm going to wager that you're Damon," Rian answers in a bored tone. "Yeah, I've been told about you."

Leaning back against the desk, I tap my fingers on the wooden edge. "By Whittingham?"

A smile appears on his face, his eyes focusing on me. "By Dr. Smith, actually."

My eyes narrow, as do Grey's. Christopher is a slimy piece of work, but I've never known him to step outside of his professional demeanor when it comes to the patients here.

"And what did he have to say for himself?" I ask, curious.

Rian laughs under his breath. "He asked me to pass a message onto you actually."

Grey stiffens next to Rian, hand twitching into a fist. "Did he now?"

I raise my hand to silence him, amused. "And what was the message, Thatcher?"

"He said nice try. And something about being one step behind."

Anger rushes through my veins but I don't show it. I should have known that Christopher would try to send a message somehow. He knew that we would approach Rian, so my only question now is what has he said?

"So, you're well acquainted with the resident psychiatrist now," I laugh. "I'm sure he's told you some interesting stories."

Rian nods. "He has actually," he quips back. "But I'm not going to relay them to you."

Grey's eyes flash and I step forward, intervening before he does something harsh like slit Thatcher's throat open.

"Well, I'm only going to say this once," I start, towering over Rian. "You'll quickly learn that it's not what it seems here. I would be very careful and considerate of the sides you take. Perhaps it would do you some good to make your own inquiries before listening to a quack."

He steps back slightly, uncertainty crossing his face. "I'm not afraid of you. You can keep your high-school hierarchy bullshit to yourself."

I smile. "Make those inquiries. Or else you'll likely find yourself somewhere you don't want to be." I shoo with my hand, signaling for him to fuck off. Rian gives us both a quick look before briskly leaving the library.

"That fucking bastard," Grey snaps. "Let me go there right now and rip open his carotid artery."

"Avery's in session with him," I point out.

Grey snorts. "I'll fuck her in his blood. That doesn't worry me."

"Try to contain yourself a little longer," I tell him. "Thatcher will quickly learn. I'll send Leighton to have a chat with him. In the meantime, Jillian should have an update for us this evening."

"Do you want me to call a meeting?" Grey asks, pacing slowly across the library.

I nod. "And get someone to clean this library. It's putrid and God knows what's on the floor."

Grey laughs, lifting an eyebrow. "I know of a few things," he says suggestively.

I curl my lips in disgust. "Definitely get them to scrub the aisles before the next meeting. In the meantime, I have to go attend to something. I'll catch up with you later."

He waves me off as we exit the library, and I wait until he's out of sight before I head down the corridor. I spot a guard lingering outside of Dr. Smith's office and when I give him a nod, he turns and walks in the other direction.

The sound of muffled voices inside are indistinguishable. I count to three before I kick the door hard open with the bottom of my foot. It bounces off the wall, wood splintering as Christopher and Avery look up surprised from the floor.

I step inside, raising an eyebrow at the chessboard on the ground. "Games, really? Is that what they are paying you for?" I taunt, not waiting for his reply. "Avery, come with me."

To my surprise, she stands immediately, heading to the door. I guess giving her a little dick reward has gone a long way toward her compliance.

After she steps into the hallway, I turn to a glowering Christopher who is now on his feet. He looks almost offended that she would willingly come with me, and I resist the urge to laugh.

"I got your message," I tell him cheerfully. "And you can shove it right up your bleached asshole."