Echoes (Dance With My Demons, #2)

by Steph Macca

"You may experience intense emotions that feel out of control. It can lead to outbursts of anger, harmful thoughts, becoming withdrawn or feeling paranoid."

Let me put this in simple terms. Do you like yourself?" I still. "I've never liked myself. Everyone I've ever crossed paths with made sure to remind me of how little I mean."

"Who the fuck did this?"

"You're fucking perfect, Avery. Don't ever hide this from me. I want to see all of you."

It's no wonder she has people falling to their feet over her. In her mind, she's at rock bottom, watching as people hit the same level too. But in reality, she's far from that lie. She's a fucking powerhouse, bringing even the most broken, lost souls to salvation.

I'll kill anyone who takes this from me. They will never touch her again. They'll never take her away.

If anyone lays a single finger on her, bruising her perfect skin, I'll soak them in gasoline and make a bonfire.

"You're not going to avoid me any longer, Avery. I don't care the reason why. Whatever it is, I promise that I'm the bigger threat."

Sleep was always my comfort, because when you are away from your thoughts, life seems easier. You could tell yourself that the nightmares are irrational. Your body will switch off and you stop feeling the tearing sensation. And best of all, for a brief few hours, you can pretend you have a different life.

"Of course I did. Now do you understand? We didn't frame you. I killed for you. So, yes—I guess Damon is right. You do have a hold on me."

"But you're the only one I want to be balls deep in, Avery. The only one I'd kill for."

I'd kill just to make you smile."

"This cold, black thing beats for you, Avery."

You make me kill for you, you make me want to die for you. I'll burn this whole place down to ashes and paint you with them like the muse you are."

"You're my only reason for anything. And I think you're theirs, as well."

"We're not them, Grey," I mutter softly. "We'll never be our parents."

His eyes falter slightly, scanning my face. "I know," he whispers. "We're better than that." I nod. "We make the rules. And in some weird turn of fucked-up events, our life here is better than our childhoods." Grey smiles. "It's better because of you."

That's the beautiful thing about her—even with the darkest souls, she tries to find light.

We'd always say that we'd break the generational curse, have our own families and give our children everything we never had."

You know things are bad when someone is surprised and delighted by the bare minimum.