ZOE
Nikolai decided to take me to his house without giving me any chance to object. I only got to see my brother for a few minutes, but I was relieved to find he was okay. They hadn't been able to harm him, and Nikolai had promised me he would reward him for defending my brother.
As soon as we arrived at his house, he immediately took me to his room and turned on the shower. He promised that Asher and I would be safe, kissed my forehead, and left me some of his clean clothes to change into.
The bathroom steam completely fogged up the mirror. The hot water cascaded over my skin like a truce, washing away the remaining fear, anger, and tears. I had no idea how long I had been there, under that cascade that seemed the only thing keeping me standing.
All I knew was that, for the first time
