Page 27 of The Coven’s Sacrifice

“That was never our intention,” Harland began, sitting up fully. “We simply do not know how to share you.”

“No,” I said, understanding that part. “But you can easily share each other. I’m left on the outside, never being able to be with either of you because of it.” The realization hurt, but I knew now that I could never be with any of them, not if they couldn’t get over their possessive bullshit. I had to accept that no matter what I’d decided on, I had to let both of them go. Even if it felt like I was stomping on my own heart. “I choose none of you,” I said, hearing the sharp intake of breath from both vampires.

“Colin,” Jacob said, voice breaking, as he hurried over to me.

“No,” I said, voice firm. “I’m tired of being played with. Tired of not understanding shit. I end each day here hurting and you don’t even seem to care or notice. I was selfish when I thought I could have you both. It’s clear that I can’t.”

“You can!” Harland protested, then winced.

“See!” I gestured to him. “You can’t even say the words without flinching!"

“We will try to work this out,” Jacob promised. “We just need time.”

A broken laugh escaped me. “You destroyed my living room the last time you ‘tried’ and you just strode in here, interrupting me and Harland, only to then jump right in and offer to take him instead. What the fuck is wrong with you and why can’t you understand that this is not okay!”

Jacob looked like I’d slapped him, and yeah, my words could’ve been chosen better, but I was angry and hurting.

I didn’t stay, just left them in my room and stomped outside. My only escape would be the coop, not that it would offer me much protection from the cold, there was the backside of it which was completely closed off from the wind and rain, so that would have to do.

My bare feet were slippery on the grass as I ran through the storm, heading for my only shelter. I was cold already and I had no way of heating myself inside the coop. It didn’t matter anyway. I just needed to get away. When it was safe enough to leave the coop, I would. Being around the monsters was dangerous on my heart. I knew that now, so I would stay away. They would find me when they needed to feed, but I would keep it to that only. No more words spoken. No more empty promises. No more hurting.

My body shivered as I lay on the wooden flooring inside the coop, the wind howling outside, leaves whistling and threatening to tear through my hard work. The coop held firm against it, the only sound escaping through the tiny gaps in the wood was a haunting whistling. The scent of wet dirt mixed with the fresh wood was the new smell of safety for me. And as I fell apart within the walls that I’d built myself, I knew that once the storm was over, I would be a changed man. A broken one, sure, but also wiser. I knew better than to let my body lead. I couldn’t give myself over to these monsters. They would never be good for me or my heart.

The true reality of it was hard to acknowledge, but I knew I would be alone forever. If I could trust their word and escape in twenty-nine years, I doubted the man I would become would want to keep going after surviving this. If I survived. How would I return to the real world when I was already breaking apart a few days in? Because it had only been that, a few days. Was it magic, or was it the monsters? Whoever was at fault here made the days appear longer. It had to be magic, because I felt like I’d lost more than when I lost Ana, and she had been my world.

“Don’t trust the monsters,” I whispered into the howling coop, the darkness surrounding me, only to light up for a few seconds as lightning joined the storm. “Stay away. Keep sane,” I added, like my words would be enough to save me.

Chapter Nineteen

Colin

“Really?” Sienna’s voice was indignant but also resigned. I had no idea where she was speaking from and as my senses returned to me, I winced. “Do you not realize humans can get sick?”

The dull ache in my forehead worsened as I pried my eyes open. Sunlight spilled through the tiny gaps in the wood and I was cold and wet on the coop floor. I felt feverish, but my skin was cold. It was weird and I knew it would only worsen.

Sienna stood with her hands on her hips, glaring down at me where I lay in only my boxers. “Do I need to repeat myself about your dramatics?” she asked, raising a thin brow.

“Dramatics?” I rasped, feeling raw pain shoot through my throat. I likely needed medication to treat it.

She huffed. “Did you lose your way and decide this was an appropriate shelter? Were you out of clothes and threw a hissy fit? I simply do not understand why I had to find you in here, wearing your boring undergarments, and shivering cold. The other sacrifices were dramatic, yes, but you are taking the number one spot.” She threw her hands up and gold confetti filled the tiny coop. “Congratulations.”

“Sienna,” I rasped. “Can you use your magic to please teleport me back to my room?”

“Teleport?!” she gasped. “Just what exactly do you think I am?!”

“A brownie?”

She blinked. “Well, yes. But why would I be able to teleport you anywhere?”

I groaned. I felt horrible and thinking wasn’t helping me. “I’m sick, Sienna. Can you just help me to my room? Without further questions, please?”

She seemed to think it over, her huge eyes blinking down at me. “Okay,” she said, turning around and leaving me on the hard wooden floor.

My eyes fell shut, and a small part of me wondered if she would leave me there. A squeaking came from the distance, and once it became clearer, I knew what she was up to. I was so glad the vampires couldn’t see me right now.

“You must eat,” Nicco berated, holding out the spoon. I gave in, opening my mouth and accepting the warm chicken soup.

After being wheeled inside in my wheel barrow, I had no modesty left. The worst part of the trip inside was the stairs. All three brownies had to help me ascend the stone staircase, and I felt horrible enough that I stopped caring if anyone saw me.