Moving to the other side of the room, his jeans unbuttoned and around his waist, he pulls open a drawer and takes out his hoodie that I was wearing. Tossing it onto my lap, he points. “Get changed. I’m taking you to the airport. Victor will have men waiting for you there.”

I slip my arms through, then force my head through. “What about you? And why do I get to leave and you don’t?”

“Because I just don’t, Ruby.” He steps closer to me, wrapping his fingers around my chin. “Sorry…”

I search his eyes. “For what?”

Clapping sounds out behind Wicked, and I tilt my head to see who it is. The same man with the diamond tattoo enters, leaning on the dresser. “Bravo, you two. That will make a splendid video.”

I pause. “What?”

Wicked steps backward, shaking his head. “Bye, baby girl.”

The man twirls his fingers and two other men enter. He clicks his fingers. “Drop her off at the airport. I’ll keep my end of the deal.” Betrayal claws its ugly talons into my skin as I watch Wicked walk down the long corridor. Every step he takes, I feel my heart beat in my chest slower. Heavier.

Angrier.

When love grows where hate was planted, you don’t get flowers. Just thorns.

I hate him.

Chapter Ten

I don’t stop walking until I’m out of his bullshit mansion and walking down the path that leads to the Pens. It’s where I deserve to be, that’s a given, and I’d rather take myself there than stay inside and listen to Ruby scream and fight her way out. She’ll no doubt hate me for the rest of her life, as she should.

I can’t find myself to care.

I stop just as the forest clearing opens up to the igloo-shaped pods that are scattered around the forest, hidden behind trees and broken branches. Five of them are spaced out around the ground, with each being completely transparent and open. For anyone to see, watch, or do whatever it is they want to do.

I rest against the glass one nearest to the opening, banging my head against the wall. Losing her hasn’t settled in yet. I don’t think it ever will, but I know I don’t have time to mourn, because now, I have to figure out a way to kill every single person who played a part in Poppy’s death. I hated fucking doing that video, but I know it’s for her own good. He won’t want her without it. I know that it’s not the civilians of The Institute. They’re simply there because they have nowhere else to go, but little do they know the dark underbelly of the person they call God and what he does—or has his Dragons do—to keep shit running afloat.