Kings of Anarchy (Brutal Boys of Everlake Prep #3) - Caroline Peckham Page 0,114

was only so calm because my emotions had burned out. But I was going to need to expel the turmoil inside me before I would really be able to function with true control again.

I moved to the closet and changed into a pair of clean sweatpants and a t-shirt before pulling on a waterproof coat and flicking the hood up over my head.

I switched the lights off in my room as I stepped back out and Tatum gasped from the bed like she didn't know what to expect.

"Stay here all night," I commanded her. "You can only leave the bed if you need to use the bathroom and then you must return to it the moment you are done. Don't call me. Don't message me. Don't come looking for me. I'll be back in time for my workout in the morning."

Her lips parted and I could just make out the movement in the dark, but she managed to hold back on the questions.

"Okay," she agreed in a soft voice that had me relaxing minutely. At least I would know where she was while I was gone, and I could picture her here waiting for me easily enough.

I nodded once and then turned away from her, heading down the stairs and glancing at the other Night Keepers as they continued to scrub the walls.

Blake caught my eye and gave me half a smile, knowing exactly where I was going and silently promising to have this place fixed by the time I returned.

I knew full well I would need to go over all of their cleaning myself to get it up to my standard, but I appreciated the fact that they would give it a good start even if I wouldn't ever admit it.

I headed back out into the storm, making sure to lock the door behind me this time and made my way up the hill in the dark, heading for Ash Chambers.

The rain crashed through the canopy of the trees as I stalked through the forest path and my skin prickled as I felt eyes on me.

I kept walking, that sense of being watched growing more and more certain as I climbed the path and moved further and further away from the safety of The Temple.

When I reached the top of the hill, I turned back suddenly and for a moment I was sure I saw movements in the shadows, but it was so dark that I couldn't be certain.

"Come on then!" I bellowed, cupping my hands around my mouth. "If it's justice you're after then come and take it!"

Silence followed my demand and I sneered as the coward remained hidden in the trees, but I felt certain they were out there somewhere, watching me, waiting. A hunter always knew when another predator drew close. But I was the king of beasts and I refused to be frightened by some skulking vulture.

"Then perhaps the next time you strike, you should try and hit me harder?" I suggested. "Because as of right now, the only thing I see when you leave us your little messages and carry out your cowardly plans, is a dead man walking. And you'd better believe I know how to dispose of your corpse once I’m done cutting you apart."

The trees remained silent and the storm howled with more force, so I turned and headed on to Ash Chambers.

I used my key to let myself in as I reached the old building and lock the door behind me again once I was inside, not bothering with the lights as I navigated the familiar hallways in the dark and heading straight for the room set up with my grand piano.

I shed my jacket as I lowered myself onto the bench before the keys and released a slow breath.

When I started playing, Études, Op. 25 by Chopin I threw myself straight into the aggressive, complicated notes. It was a dark and angry piece which spoke to the monster in me all too clearly and helped me vent some of my rage. I intended to stay here all night and play until my fingers were cramping and my bad arm was screaming at me from pushing the muscles too hard.

I wouldn't return to The Temple until the sun had risen and six am had returned. And then I'd start tomorrow with my guard up again and my walls reconstructed with my control over all things thoroughly intact. And I'd be damn certain not to let Tatum Rivers crack it ever