Exile (Dance with my Demons #4)

by Steph Macca

Run, little killer. We like to chase our prize before we claim it.

You got it Gray

In violence and corruption, I found an unexpected peace. An inferno of flames in an otherwise dark abyss—someone to dance with my demons.

He fell hard

For the first time since my mother died, I experienced love again—even if I didn't want it. Her vibrant light choked me, wrapping around my black heart like barbed wire, ripping me apart, until finally, she cracked me wide open. In my own personal hell, I found her. Avery. For the first time, someone saw me as more than their savior. More than a leader and someone to fear. She wanted to save… me. So now, it's only fitting that I should die for her.

Dont break my heart

We could have played rock paper scissors to decide who gets to marry her, even if I'd be awfully tempted to chop off their hands to win by default.

That is the most Gray thing ive read

"Christopher?"

Yay!!!

Lilydale promised to save me, even when I adamantly believed I was beyond salvation. But in a strange turn of events, I was saved. By Grey. By Theo. And by Damon.

Aww

guess, bloodied knuckles aside, maybe I could have a career as a doctor. Likes blood—check. Remains somewhat calm in an emergency—check. Able to remove limbs—double check.

Im not sure those qualify you babe

"My beloved Dorothea suffered a cardiac event while at work. The coroner has already been called and she has been kept safe until such time as they are available. She'll be taken from the premises and reunited with her family later today," Arthur manages to spit out calmly.

Ill vomit

"I'll be sure to give Avery your best, Grey. I have use for her—for now. But as for Damon… I hope you said your goodbyes already."

Kill him with fire

Alyssa nods. "I was one of the nurses that assisted during your surgery to remove glass shards from your back. I was also working in the ER when you presented with a broken nose one evening."

We like her

"What do you mean, Avery? My notes right here say that you are being treated for shock and bruising. You'll be here until tomorrow for observation."

We really like her

"Avery," Alexander greets, turning away from a tight-lipped Alyssa. "How lovely to see you."

Gag

"As the Chairman, it's my duty to ensure all members are looked after—including my new daughter-in-law."

Fuck.off

"Mr. Dale, as I have already mentioned, you are not an approved visitor—regardless of your threats. You need to leave now before I contact security and have you escorted from the building."

Alyssa for president

"Well… isn't he a bundle of sunshine? Come on, sweetheart. I just got word that your husband is out of recovery and has been placed in a room. I'll take you to see him."

DAMON

But the second thought I have is if I'm in Hell, why is there a goddamn ethereal woman with her face buried into my bed?

Awwww

"Wife," I say sharply, noticing her still immediately. Her cheeks turn an even darker shade of red, uncontainable emotions clearly visible on her face as my words cause a visceral reaction. But to her credit, she quickly shoves them away, stubbornly turning her attention back to providing medical care. "Drugging me now, are you? And on our honeymoon."

Dude the lines after almost dying

"You were, by far, the best birthday present I could have received," I tell her, running my hand up her spine. "I always thought the ultimate gift would be my father's death, but I was wrong." "Maybe that can be your Christmas present," she murmurs. "A little murder goes well with mistletoe."

"Come on, pretty girl. There's still one more stop I need to make."

Eeeee

I openly play with the staff card in my hand, flicking it between fingers as I stroll past some new guards who gawk at me with sheer confusion.

Lmo jeez

I manage to catch sight of Theo, lounging on his bed, for only a brief second, before Avery crash tackles him into the mattress.

My boys are back

"Connor! Fancy seeing you back here." I grin.

CONNOR!

Turning back to the two of them, I decide to lighten the tension. "In the arms of another man already? And so soon after the wedding. You bad girl."

Lololol

"Because it doesn't matter which one of our names is on a piece of paper. You're still mine," Theo answers first, giving me the side-eye.

Aww

"Because saying yes meant protecting you, little killer. Saying yes means we have a chance at setting you free from this place. I'll stop at nothing, do anything, kill everybody to keep you safe."

Awwwwww

"Come on, little killer. Time to go fuck shit up."

Yay!

"As long as it wasn't—" "Don't say pineapple on pizza," she interjects. "You're wrong. Just admit it." I snort, giving her a rare smile. "Make me, Avery."

Lmao

It's as if the birthday massacre—aptly named by Grey—never happened.

Ofc he would

Damon: Hello wife.

HELLO HUSBAND

Damon: Grey, they deserve better attention than that. At least use your mouth.

Lmao they are all horndogs

And when I feel the unmistakable head of Theo's cock swapping with his fingers, I gasp. "You're not going to fit," I argue quickly, swallowing hard. "Relax," Theo murmurs, lips brushing the nape of my neck. "Grey…"

oh thee of little faith

"Your freedom," Whittingham states, ignoring my comment. "In exchange for an annulment."

Bahahah she would never

This time, I raise my eyebrow. "Really? Did you really think that Alexander had a personality change and would genuinely want to help people? Be smart about this, Christopher. Your whole career has been a sham. You were just a pawn in his game—someone to use for his benefit."

Damn Gray

"Put it in harder," I growl. "Thrust it in. Put your damn back into it." "I'm fucking trying," Theo snaps. "Why don't you do something instead of standing there and attempting to look pretty? By the way, it's not working."

Lmao

"Just sign and walk out the door, Ms. White," he says coolly. "It's that simple." My eyes fall onto the pen he's holding out, beady little eyes watching me eagerly. Shifting forward on my chair, I take the pen from his grasp, his eyes lighting up with greedy success. Clicking the pen to eject the ballpoint, I lock eyes with him. "You won't regret this," he encourages with a nod of his head. "You're better off without them." A smile breaks across my face, his posture relaxing as if he's the cat that's got the cream. He's so sure that he has me won over, that he doesn't notice me moving until it's too late. I lurch forward, gripping the pen tight in my fist. There's a sickening crunch and squelch of flesh as it embeds its way into his hand, sticking out.

LOL WHY did he give her a weapon???

Fuck. I stabbed Whittingham. Everything hits me at once as I circle back to his office, my mind replaying the events.

Yeah you did

How long will it take? Days? Weeks?

So maybe safe the battery

Because I'm the badass who stabbed that motherfucker with a pen.

Yeah you are

"Wait, you saw her?" I snap. "And you didn't do anything?" Grey nods furiously at my words. "I swear Christopher, I'm this close to losing my shit with you."

What do they want this poor man to do? Split the red sea???

"Hello wife."

Ahhhhhh

"There," he murmurs, getting to his feet. "That's all the pain medication I need." I let out a squeal as he lifts me off the ground, pushing my back against the wall.

Pfft

"Respectfully, shut up. Your husband is fucking you right now."

Aaaa

"Free time is kicking off and I'm worried Avery will get even more pale if she remains in there. She needs more Vitamin D." "Let me guess—you have a shot for her?" Theo answers, deliberately ruining the bit. "Why you gotta out me like that?" Grey groans, his shadow entering the room. "Wow—smells like sweet little killer in here."

Im dead

"Deadman?" "Coming." "I bet you did," Theo quickly interjects, earning a gasp from Grey. "You asshole. That was my line!"

These three

"You're my favorite tattoo, Aves."

So silly lol

"À nous pour toujours jusqu'à ce que la mort nous sépare," Damon murmurs, gently clutching my hand and kissing it. "And all the lifetimes after."

Screaminggggggg

This last Will expresses my wishes without undue influence or duress. The pen makes a scratching sound as I quickly sign, shoving the paperwork toward Alexander. He gleefully motions for two men to come over, the pair of them signing as witnesses next to my name.

WHY DID YOU SIGN IT

I quickly scribble my signature on the majority shareholder agreement, slumping back in the leather chair. Alexander nods happily at his little victory, looking way too delighted at my distress.

BITCH WHY

"We'll kill anyone that touches you, mon petit feu."

Awwww

"Taken the day we got married while you were fighting to come back to me." To me… Not to us or Lilydale. Not even the society. But to her—my wife.

Awwww