Fallen Prey (Parallel Prey Book 2)

by Jen Stevens

Something no one tells you: psychiatric hospitals are boring as hell. Especially when you aren’t supposed to be there in the first place.

Even when you’re supposed to be there.. they’re pretty boring unless you’re at a state hospital 😹

I had my own qualms pop up with this God they all love and fear so ferociously as I got older and more aware. What kind of being made purely of love and light would give such an unfit mother like ours two children to look after? What kind of God would allow those children to starve and beg? What kind of God would allow that same mother to nearly kill her own child over a handful of drugs? To allow a man to use his power and force against the woman he claims to love and send her to the other side?

I won't be shrinking myself down to make anyone else more comfortable. I refuse to deny myself any sort of closure or justice because of how hard the truth might be to swallow for them. I didn't make those horrific actions, and I certainly don't deserve to be treated as less than because someone might find it hard to look at me and see the tough shell that was cast when I was thrown into the flames and left to die alone. No. I plan to take my truth and scream it from the top of the highest mountain. And if anyone has trouble swallowing it, I'll be sure to shove it down their throats to help them digest it.

“Death is inevitable. Grief is a privilege. It means you've loved someone enough to want the impossible—for them to live forever.”

“I didn’t mean to say you’re weak. I’m sorry, Stardust. You’re the strongest person I know. It’s just… When you’re in the room, nothing else exists. My entire world spins on your axis. I can’t concentrate on anything if you’re there.” “That’s not my problem.”

“Have I not told you? We're getting married.” Lifting her left hand, she makes a show of glaring at the empty ring finger, pulling a rare laugh out of me. “I don't remember being asked.” “Do you truly think I'd give you the choice?” I tease,

“This promise isn't empty. You will be mine, Jovie Benvenuti. As soon as this is over, I'm taking you to make it official. Your ring is tucked away in my office at home.” She allows herself to smile, tucking her chin further into her chest as she plays with her ring finger and shyly mumbles, “Jovie Lancaster.” I could melt into a puddle on the floor at the sound of her name beside mine. “I prefer Stardust, but that sounds nice too.” “Fine. Let's kill these assholes so we can get married.” I've never loved her more.

Over and over, the wet sounds echo off the metal toolboxes surrounding us as I mutilate his body, the same way he did to my friend. The same way he tried to do to me. And Bash watches in stony silence, his body still as a statue. I’m so fucking sick of men thinking they can just take and take and take until there’s nothing left. Then, when there’s no more than a jaded corpse, they move on to their next victim, as if the last one never existed.