Jamie scrubbed at his eyes. He was done crying. Nico had made his choice and left with Piter. Jealousy bit him, and he laughed with pain, knowing he was the reason Nico had gone with the monster. Nico wanted to keep him safe, but damn, it hurt. And it didn’t help that Piter was alluring and sensual, and also Nico’s ex-lover.
He rose to his feet and swayed, closing his eyes against a wave of dizziness. The horror and pain of the past day and night returned with a roar, and he gasped, struggling not to scream, afraid he wouldn’t be able to stop once he started. Deep breaths. Slowly his panic lessened, and he glanced hesitantly down his body. Faint scars crisscrossed his body, reminders of the whip marks and bruises from the beatings the Krampus had given him.
Unexpected anger seized him. P
