Butcherbird

by Cassie Hart

  ‘You’re mine, Jena. Mine.’

  She closed her eyes, not wanting to see him look at her that way. Then his hands moved up her body, dragging over her breasts, her clavicle, his thumbs stroking her neck.

  ‘Cade,’ she groaned, running her hands up his forearms. She opened her eyes again, heavy lidded, let her lips part, arched her back, hoping these little acts of lust would drive him over the edge. Make him come.

  Get him off her.

  But instead his fingers slid under her neck, his thumbs pressed down, crushing her windpipe, making it harder to breathe.

  ‘Cade?’ It came out a whisper, a gargle. She moved her hands, clutched his wrists and tried to pry him off her but he leaned in, pressed harder, never stopping his rhythmic pounding, driving into her hard and fast, his face impassive, his gaze intense.

  He didn’t say a thing, just pressed and pressed and pressed until she was sure he was going to cut all oxygen off, keep squeezing until she was dead. She dug into the soft skin on his arm with her nails, but the lack of air made her feel weak, made her head spin, her vision blur.

  She could feel every sensation in her body: the weight of him pressing through his fingers, the rough thrusting of his cock, his thighs slamming against her ass, the constricted veins in her neck, the flush of desperation in her cheeks.

  He increased his speed now, shorter thrusts, shorter and faster and oh god.

  She tried to scream, to cry out in ecstasy and horror as she came hard, her muscles clenched, gripping him as tightly as he’d gripped her, overwhelmed, horrified, by the catastrophic orgasm that ripped through her body.

  He slumped onto her chest, his hands dropping away, her lungs dragging in air, fast and frantic, like they thought they’d be starved again.

  Jena lay there, let her arms drop to her sides, felt the backs of her legs sag against the end of the bed, tried to slow her breathing and tell herself that everything was okay.

  It had been good. Like, really good. Because you only orgasmed that hard when it was good, and he’d just been making it good for her. He’d never really hurt her. Not like her dad had hurt her mum.

  Right?

  She was torn between wanting to push him off and yell at him, ask him what the fuck that was all about, and just lying there, accepting it. Letting her breath drift back to normal, pretending like they were into kinky shit, and that even though they’d never talked about this it was only meant as fun.

  ‘That was so hot,’ Cade murmured against her chest. ‘You’re so fucking hot.’

  ‘Mmm,’ she murmured, absent, quiet.

  Cade rolled off her and then stood up, stretching his back before he tucked himself back into his jeans and did up the fly. ‘I think I need a shower after that.’ He leaned down and kissed her cheek and then headed for the door.

  Jena didn’t move until she felt the trickle of sperm running down her thigh. She dragged her knickers back up and shoved her pyjama top against her mouth to stop herself from screaming.

  Focus on the pleasure. It was good. Intense.

  Maybe she’d told him she wanted to try something like that sometime, when they were both drunk and fooling around. He had slapped her ass before, just never that hard.

  Maybe this meant they were getting closer to each other, letting their true selves out.

  But if that was Cade ….

  Did she want the real him?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  WILL

  Will roused at the sound of footsteps in the hallway. It took him a minute to get his bearings, and then he realised that he’d fallen asleep in Rose’s room. The tread was heavy, which meant it wasn’t Jena; she was lighter on her feet, less certain. Either it was Cade, or someone had broken into the house.

  He stood up fast, ignoring the pins and needles that shot through his leg, and rushed across to the door, flicking the lock. A moment later he felt pressure on the handle. He held his breath as the doorknob turned so slowly that it didn’t make a sound. And then weight leaned into the door. The door didn’t budge, though. There was a soft exhalation on the other side and then it sounded like something metallic was inserted into the keyhole.

  Will’s chest felt like it might explode, and then a loud cough burst from Rose and he whirled, rushing across the room to her side.

  ‘There, there, it’s okay, Rose. Come on, have some water.’ Will spoke loud enough that anyone outside could hear him, and then as he held the glass for Rose, the footsteps retreated down the hall.

  The tension left his body and he slumped back into the chair.

  ‘I wasn’t done with the water,’ Rose said. ‘Pass it here. Some days you’re a terrible carer.’

  ‘But good company, right?’

  She laughed. ‘Good enough. Was that him?’

  Will passed the glass back. ‘Cade? Yeah.’

  ‘Or not Cade. He found it, didn’t he?’ She sounded resigned. ‘I would have been fine. I get by, you know that. Is that why you fell asleep here?’

  ‘No, that was accidental. And as far as I know he hasn’t found the watch. Why would you say that?’

  Rose tapped her nose. ‘I have a sense of these things, boy. Mark my words. He’s just the type to be drawn to it.’

  ‘Hang on, you said that I might be in danger from it.’ Will sat up straight again, frowning. ‘We’re nothing alike.’

  Rose sighed. ‘You, for different reasons,’ she said. ‘You’re a danger to him; you can’t trust him. None of us can. It’s more important than ever that you get out now, while you can. Take Jena, leave this place. He only wants me.’

  ‘Hold up, Rose. You’re getting ahead of yourself,’ Will said, trying to assure her – trying to assure himself. ‘Cade is just a dick, he’s not possessed by some evil spirit. He was unpleasant when he got here, and nothing has changed.’

  ‘Then why was he at my door in the middle of the night?’ Rose arched an eyebrow, and Will had to admit she had a point. That was strange. Cade had shown little to no interest in Rose, only in Jena, and in making a quick buck.

  What if Rose was right?

  ‘You watch him. Over the next few days. It doesn’t really take that long, and this is what, the fourth time? It seems to happen a little quicker each time.’

  ‘I’ll keep an eye on him, as long as you promise to contact me if he finds a way in.’

  ‘If he does, he does. He only wants me, anyway. It’s always been me. And when he comes, it’ll be me or him.’ She coughed, but it wasn’t so coarse this time. ‘I’m not letting go without a fight.’

  ‘Rose, you have to let us help. You’re too—’

  ‘Sick, I know. I’m practically on my deathbed. But this is my fight, it always has been.’

  ‘Why? Why you?’

  Rose sighed, sinking deeply into her pillows as if the heaviness of the past was weighing on her. ‘We were young, and so foolish, and whatever we called down – whatever took him over … I had no idea what he was capable of, but he had no idea how interested I was in saving my own hide, or the lengths I’d go to. I killed him, and now he wants to return the favour. He has a hunger for the power inside me, and a thirst for revenge.’

  Will had a thought, suddenly recalling one of the things he’d read. ‘What’s his name?’ In some myths, knowing a thing’s name gave you power, and if by some chance she was right, they needed any advantage they could get.

  ‘Ronaldo was my lover. But that won’t help, because I have no idea what the creature’s name is.’

  ‘I wish you’d just tell Jena. It would make it so much easier.’

  ‘Oh yes, telling my last living grandchild that it’s my fault, all of it? That I did a bad thing when I was young and that one wrong set off a course of tragedy for the rest of my life? That it’s not bad enough that I burned her father alive, but it’s also my fault he got possessed in the first place? That her boyfriend got possessed?’

  Will couldn’t help but smile. ‘You two are more alike than you know. If you’d jus
t spend some proper time with her, I bet you’d see that. I bet you’d be able to work through this.’

  She closed her eyes. Done with the conversation. ‘I’m tired, Will. I think you should go and get some sleep, and lock the door behind you. He’s not going to bust his way through tonight, it’s still too early for that kind of thing.’

  Will froze. ‘How long?’

  ‘I’d say days, if it’s true.’

  He nodded and got up from his seat. ‘Okay then.’

  Somehow, he had a feeling she wasn’t really tired, but he went out and locked the door behind him before heading to the stairs. He started up them, and it was only when he got to the top that he wondered whether Rose was telling him the truth, or whether it was just the truth as she saw it. Her health was deteriorating, and it was possible she was losing her grasp on what was real and what wasn’t.

  And yet, it all made sense to him. It all gelled with the way he saw the world – the way he wanted to see the world.

  But was that enough to make him buy into her story?

  He dragged his hand through his hair with a sigh and headed for his room. It was too complicated, too messy, and until he could find a way to get Rose and Jena talking, there was not much that he could do.

  Other than hope that Cade didn’t have the watch.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  JENA

  The next few days were filled with work. Jeremy kept coming back to help, and even John and Flo pitched in; Flo with her baking, in particular, which was a hit with all the men.

  Maybe before Jena left, she’d take some lessons.

  Jena had excused herself from painting the fence to go and talk to Rose about how things were going, and Cade had insisted on tagging along. He’d claimed the seat next to Rose’s bed, which left Jena to perch on the mattress.

  ‘So, I think a few more days and we should be able to call an agent to get some photos done. Things are going really well.’

  ‘What about everything inside?’ Rose asked. ‘You’re not taking all my things away, are you?’ Her voice got higher at the end and she sat up straighter, or tried to, the soft pillows under her head making it difficult.

  ‘Well I do need to start boxing things up,’ Jena said. ‘But we can just store things in one of the wardrobes.’ She chewed her lip, really not liking the idea of it. There were fifty plus years of collected miscellany in this place. ‘Have you had a look at the brochures for rest homes? I know Will gave you some.’

  Rose pursed her lips and looked away. ‘No. Not really. I’ll look later.’

  ‘John said that he’d buy the land, Rose,’ Cade said. ‘We could sell that and keep the house, a place for Jena to live, and you could stay here until the end.’

  Until the end. That was a morbid way to put it.

  ‘I think she’d be more comfortable in a rest home, where she can get all the care she needs,’ Jena said, scowling at Cade. It wasn’t really any of his business, and there was a reason she hadn’t told Rose about John’s offer. It was better if everything was just sold off at once. Better for it all to be done with.

  ‘But this is her home,’ Cade said, his face full of shallow concern. ‘She loves it here; this is where she belongs.’

  ‘Look, Cade. I appreciate you being here to offer me support, but this is between me and Rose. Can you leave us to it?’ Jena raised an eyebrow, giving him a pointed look. She was trying to be nice, but it was hard when he was making it so difficult. It was none of his damn business, and why the hell did he want them to keep the house anyway?

  It was in the middle of nowhere.

  He hated it here.

  Or at least, he had a week ago.

  ‘I’d rather be here, with you,’ he said, reaching a hand out to her and drawing her from the bed. She resisted, using the momentum and his grip to pull him up from his chair so they were both standing. Cade looked down at Rose, his eyes stern. ‘You should really consider that deal, Rose. Take the money, stay in your home. It’s perfect.’

  ‘Please go,’ Jena said. ‘I just need some time alone with Rose.’ She softened her gaze.

  There was a knock at the door then, and Will pushed it open. ‘Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt, but can we borrow you for a minute, Cade? Need to move a log.’

  Cade growled, but it was so quiet only Jena could hear it. He plastered on a fake smile and turned to Will. ‘Sure thing, bud.’ And then he was gone.

  ‘That’s not Cade. Not any more,’ Rose said plainly.

  Jena turned to her, frowning. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘You need to be careful. That’s not the man you arrived here with. He’s not the same.’

  Jena sat back down on the bed and reached for Rose’s hand. ‘I don’t understand, Rose. It’s just Cade,’ she said, though the words sounded a little hollow, even to her. He was different; Rose was right about that. But Jena didn’t know how Rose could know. She was stuck in here all day and had barely made an effort to get to know Cade. Were the bruises on her neck obvious? ‘He’s a bit of a dick sometimes, sure, but he’s still … him.’

  Rose shook her head. ‘You need to talk to Will. Find a way.’

  Jena scoffed. ‘I’m done talking to Will. He’s full of far-fetched ideas and—’

  ‘Has Cade found a watch?’

  That stopped Jena in her tracks.

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m back.’ Cade strolled through the doorway, looking like he belonged here. Jena glanced between him and Rose, wishing he’d leave again so she could find out why the hell Rose had brought up the watch.

  ‘Don’t they still need you?’ Jena asked, trying to keep her voice casual.

  ‘Nope. All done.’ He plopped back into the chair by the bed, crossing one leg over his knee.

  Jena sighed, wondering whether maybe Rose was onto something.

  ‘I need a nap now, dear,’ Rose said softly, patting her hand. ‘Give me a kiss.’

  Jena frowned, but did as she asked. The old woman brushed her lips against Jena’s cheek and whispered, ‘Talk to Will.’

  ***

  When she got back outside, she could see that John, Jeremy and Flo were driving down the driveway.

  ‘Are they going home for lunch, or for the day?’ Jena asked Will. She tried to look at him with different eyes; not angry ones, but the way her grandmother might look at him.

  What did he know that Jena didn’t?

  ‘They’ve got some work to do this afternoon; I didn’t catch what, though. Farm stuff,’ Will said wryly. ‘I think we should be able to finish painting before it gets too late. Then, I guess we’ll be done.’

  ‘Did you convince Rose to take the offer?’ Cade asked. He swished his paint brush around in the ice cream container he was using for a paint tray.

  ‘No, but then, I’m not sure I want her to. I need to think about it.’

  ‘It’s a good deal,’ Cade said firmly.

  ‘We don’t even know how much they’re willing to pay, so you can’t say that.’

  ‘Fine, it’s an easy deal.’

  There, that was the Cade she knew. Always taking the easy option. It wasn’t so much about the land for Jena, though; it was about the house. Did she really want to keep it after all that had happened here? And if she changed her mind and wanted to sell, would she still be able to find a buyer out here, if there was no land attached?

  She did need to think about it more. That wasn’t procrastination; it was just common sense.

  ‘Well, I’ll sleep on it and talk to her again tomorrow. No point stressing about it right now.’ Jena sighed, then tried to figure out how to get Will alone so that she could question him. ‘I’ll just put dinner on, and then I’ll come back and help finish up.’

  ‘What are we having?’ Cade asked, eyes widening in hope.

  He always seemed hungry at the moment, but maybe that was because of the manual labour.

  ‘Chicken casserole. I thought I’d put it in the crock pot, if I can find the bloody thing. Any
idea where it is, Will?’ She shot him a pointed look, hoping he’d get the message. Though it would make total sense if he didn’t; it wasn’t like they were on the best of terms right now, and he wouldn’t be expecting her to actually want to talk to him.

  His brows knitted together, his internal monologue no doubt matching her own, but it could pass as uncertainty as well. ‘I think it’s in one of the cupboards near the oven. Right at the back?’

  ‘I looked there,’ Jena said. ‘Come and show me. The sooner I get that on the sooner I can help with the fence.’

  ‘I can look too if you want,’ Cade offered, wiping his hands on his jeans and leaving white smears of paint down them.

  Jena laughed. ‘Yeah, like you know where anything in the kitchen is. We’ll be right back.’ She took a few steps so that she was beside him, and kissed him on the cheek before turning for the house.

  Will trailed behind her at a distance. Jena didn’t close the door when they went inside, not wanting to get Cade suspicious. She only needed a few minutes, surely.

  Jena didn’t stop until she was in the kitchen, then she crossed her arms. Will came around the corner of the bench and scowled at the crock pot on the floor.

  ‘It’s right there,’ he said, pointing at it. ‘What’s this about?’

  ‘Rose told me to talk to you. She asked if Cade had found a watch.’

  Will paled; it was barely noticeable against the darker tone of his skin. His mouth opened and closed as if he couldn’t find the right word.

  ‘Well?’ she demanded. ‘What the hell is she on about? Because he found a watch, and why would she ask that?’

  ‘Where is it?’ Will asked, turning to her, a stricken glare in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to reach out and grab her, shake her or something, but instead he shoved his hands in his pockets.

  ‘He probably has it on him. He doesn’t go anywhere without it lately.’

  ‘Lately?’ Will closed his eyes and blew out a breath, his shoulders sinking. ‘When did he find it?’