Frosted Torment (Marked Mortals Saga #1)

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

M y eyes shot open as morning screamed through the window. As soon as I pulled the covers up over my head to block the light, Lex stepped into the doorway wearing black fight training shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. His muscles bulged sideways from all the training he had done.

Time to wish away any thoughts that perked my desires for him as I hid in my blanket cave. He was lethal with that body, but I made a promise to my friendship with Ivy. I wouldn’t go back on it. After two deep breaths, I peeked out from under the sheets.

Damnit!

He caught my eye and walked closer. He also carried a glass with him and set it on the nightstand. I felt every ache slice through my bones and sat up.

I didn’t know what on earth I’d gotten myself into by following them here. I could barely lift the rim of the cup to my nose, but when I did, the smell of eggs and licorice punched my nose.

I gagged and slammed the cup down on the nightstand. “What is this?”

“Consider it immunity support.” He stood with arms crossed, and every muscle flexed out in the open as the light caught each line of definition.

On his right thigh, an intricate tattoo of a triangle encasing an eye stared back at me in the middle of a dream catcher. Black feathers cascaded around it, falling from the sky. I focused harder, and a tree blooming with small pink flowers rose up behind it as the roots branched out below it.

I sucked in a sharp breath at the similarity of the tree compared to the one that the man hijacking my mind had shown me.

Lex rolled his eyes and pointed to the cup. “Drink.”

“I’m getting to it.” My fingernails tapped the side of the glass, and I gestured my head in an upward motion. “Interesting tattoo,” I said.

“Oh,” he smiled. “It’s the all-seeing eye. We each have some variation of it.”

“What is that tree?” I asked, trying to memorize every detail.

Lex traced the lines of his tattoo and smiled. “It represents the tree where we fell. The one I told you about in the story.”

I nodded, praying he couldn’t see my mind racing at what it might mean for me, but his reaction didn’t tell me he did. Something told me I should keep the mystery man and his brain chatter to myself for the time being. It was possible if he would stop trying to give me an aneurysm.

I grabbed the mug and brought the drink to my lips, trying to find the courage to swallow the rotten sewage. Uncertain of how I felt about the new information, I needed to see if I could get to that tree somehow. I pinched my nose and held it as I swallowed in one chug and coughed hard.

“Disgusting,” I choked and stuck out my tongue, wishing the taste away.

He took the glass and inspected the contents with a smile. “Good.”

“My vape would help me the same way, you know.” I flung myself back onto the bed.

Deep lines formed between his eyebrows as he tilted his head down at me. “Don’t even think about it. We need your brain firing on all cylinders, so alcohol and weed are no longer part of your vocabulary.”

“You can’t be serious about me having to stop vaping,” I said with disbelief.

“I am. You need a clear head with demons after you.” He was stern, as if he were speaking to a child.

My lips pursed as I looked deep into Lex’s eyes. “Fine,” I said, my tone firm. “I’ll give up the vices if that’s what it takes to survive.”

“You said you were ready for this, Noa. It’s time to learn what that means.”

I met Lex’s unwavering gaze. “So, teach me.”

“Get a shower, then meet us out in the living room. Make sure to inspect your entire body and let me know if you see anything unusual.”

“Angels are a pain in the ass,” I groaned.

“Fallen ones, yes. And you’re welcome.” Lex gestured toward the other side of the room to a small closet. “You’ll find clean clothes in there, and new bras and panties in the dresser.”

I turned back to look at him, but the door closed before I could speak. I fell back on the lumpy mattress and smothered myself with a pillow, then screamed. Safe in the moment, I let the tears roll back into my hair, then threw the pillow at the door. After a deep breath, my eyes fixated on the ceiling with its rough-hewn cedar planks. Its raw color resembled how exposed I felt.

I forced myself out of bed when a shock of cold struck my feet. I crossed the wooden floor and scurried over to a small rug placed in front of a wooden dresser dotted with pine knots. A wood-framed mirror accented with thin gold leaves hung above it.

I pushed my hoodie back over my shoulder to inspect the scratches left behind by the demon who attacked me. I held my breath when tiny scar lines were all that I could see. My skin healed itself, and I didn’t know why or even how.

As I ran my hands through my hair, my fingers caught on every knot. Turning sideways, I shuddered at the shape of my body. For someone who protested the gym, my image reflected that. I was a limp noodle compared to my friends. I’d never survive if I had to defend myself.

Drops of sunlight began to dance with the shadows of trees across the mirror and the floor. I glanced out the window, then touched it. The chill stung my fingers.

I pushed the latch with all my strength, but it wouldn’t budge. Sealed shut, I rested my face against the windowpane, enjoying its relief.

I blinked, adjusting to the light, and noticed the fence stretched on for miles. It was difficult to see where it stopped. Beyond the thick tree line were snow-covered mountains. The grass was light brown, with scattered snow patches. I stood in awe of its beauty, then investigated the rest of the room.

The closet held jeans, t-shirts, and sweaters. Even a puffy green snow jacket hung toward the back. A pair of tennis shoes, two sets of hiking boots, and snow boots lined the floor, and when I checked them, they were all my size.

Everything anyone on a camping trip to the mountains could use filled the space, and it was mine. They prepared this room for me. I convinced myself it was for my protection, but something about it didn’t feel right.

Ultimately, I settled on a white tank top, an oversized plaid flannel shirt, and fitted jeans, then laid them across the bed. The hiking boots would be my best option if I figured out a way to explore. I wasn’t about to let some stalker mess with me when I had too much at stake. Better to figure him out first and keep myself alive. Then I could move on to finding my mom’s killers.

“I hear you, Mr. Mind Stalker,” I sang in a low whisper. “If you could stop attacking me, that would be great.”

I waited for a response, but it didn’t come. As I chose my underwear and socks, I noticed dirt and blood crusted up under a few of my fingernails and winced when I tried to pick it away. I found the contents of the cabinets in the bathroom stocked with bubble bath, peroxide, a box of adhesive bandages, and an unopened pack of elastic hair bands.

Once I discarded my clothes, I filled the tub and then sank into what felt like a spa bath. The scent of lavender foam caressed my skin. Noticing a few broken nails from scratching at the ground last night, I soaked the dirt away .

After rinsing the last couple of days down the drain, I looked at the bracelet I still wore. It was atrocious, but it was a connection to my mom. I wrapped myself in a towel, then gazed at the beautiful designs carved into the wooden crown molding.

Phases of the moon rose and fell across the trim, while intricately carved wolves howled into the sky from each corner. Red and blue towels dressed a gold towel bar above the toilet, and a painting of an orange and purple sunset behind a strange rock formation hung above the bathroom door. I kept my focus on the detailed carvings that resembled the wolf statues at the front gates while peroxide sizzled on my fingers.

Once the pain stopped, I wrapped bandages around the two worst fingernails. Then I pulled up my hair into a quick bun and secured it with a hair tie. After dressing, I took in the fresh floral scent of the fabric softener in my flannel shirt and smiled.

Time to get the truth.