The fire cracked and glowed behind Layton in the chair next to Ava's bed. Sitting by the window, waiting, were Christian and Ella. They were all quiet.
Ava groaned, and their focus shifted to her. "I didn't want my friends involved."
"Well, what are friends for?" Christian said and Ella nodded.
"Not this... I should have told your cocky ass to go fuck yourself when you bought my painting, Christian — get a mirror for your bedroom instead, you'd like it better." Layton's eyes squinted in thought, and she remembered that it was Layton's painting that she had redone, but he didn't look away from Ava.
Christian chuckled. "I would have bought both. Though now that I know your true inspiration, I'll have to make some changes in decoration."
Ava tried to swallow but could barely manage; exhaustion was pulling her back down. "Have Verina and Gabriel found anything yet?"
Layton shook his head no.
"My friends?"
"They're fine."
"Freddy? Is he okay?"
Layton looked confused. "Freddy? Your cat?"
"Yes." Her voice was barely a whisper now. "He was here, I think. Was Gabriel here..."
"Gabriel?"
"...Cynane..."
Layton's voice caught in his throat.
YOU ARE READING
Vitality (Vitality Series #1)
RomanceA violent passion. A dangerous bond. A nightmare that will change everything. To Ava, love is about as real as fairytales. But it might be that fairytales, myths, and magic have some truth to them after all - as well as the monsters that lie in the...
