From Rougue To Luna novel Chapter 74

"Oh my God Thalia. I'm so glad you're here!" She jumped from the couch and dropped the blanket to the floor as she flung her arms around my neck.

I wrapped my own arms around her in a tight hug, noticing how much thinner she was before we sat down on the couch. "So...Weston huh?" I asked with a smirk.

She smiled as a blush crept up her cheeks. "Stop. It's nothing. He's just being kind."

"Uh huh. I'll believe you..for now." I said with a wink. "tell me though, how are you feeling Avery?"

She sighed and looked over at me, her blonde hair pulled back in a messy bun on top of her head. "Me? I should be asking you that. Thalia, you were hurt so badly. Are you ok?" She leaned forward, resting her hand in mine.

I nodded and gave her a smile. "I am. My ribs are still a little sore but mostly I'm completely healed. Seriously Avery, what happened? Are you ok?"

Her expression turned serious and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. I squeezed her hand gently and gave her a small nod. "It's ok Avery. I know him. I know how he was. You can tell me anything you feel up to."

She let out a shaky breath and looked down at her lap. "He took me three months ago. He surprised me one night at the bar. I hadn't seen him in years since he'd come in looking for you."

I straightened as she spoke. "He came looking for me?" I wasn't surprised, but I hated that he'd hassled the girls I worked with for nothing. They'd never have known anything anyway. I made sure not to bring anyone into it after he killed the poor human giving me a ride. My heart panged at the memory, but she continued speaking.

"Yeah. He was completely crazed. He said you'd stabbed him and run for it and he wanted to find you before you hurt someone else. He said you'd gone insane." She said, chancing a glance up at me. "We all knew he was lying of course. We'd seen how he was at the end with you, before we quit seeing you completely. I was just glad you'd gotten away."

I chuckled darkly as she looked up at me in surprise. "Well, he was right about one thing. I did stab him and run."

Avery's eyes widened before a slow smile crept up her lips. "Good." She said

She froze as she blinked at me. "Thalia this is not your fault. It's his. Just his. Do you understand?"

I shrugged and shifted away but she tugged me back to face her. "I mean it Thalia. This is not on you. Tell me you understand." She demanded and I finally nodded.

I didn't fully believe it, but I hoped what I was about to tell her would ease my guilt even if it was only slightly. "Avery, I have to tell you something." She paused and waited patiently for me to continue. "Cage...is dead."

She gulped hard and her eyes widened. "What? When did this happen?... How did it happen?"

I took in a shaky breath and it was my turn to look down at my nervous hands restlessly moving in my lap.

"Rhett and I...killed him." I said quietly.