Novels by L. D.

My stomach feels empty as I watch Mariam pace in front of Emma's house. Gravel crunches under Mariam's feet and she can't seem to stop adjusting her glasses on her face. I know she's worried about me, she has to be, but there's no way for us to communicate. She probably things I'm still off dispatching the man behind Emma's assassination attempts. I finished almost an hour ago, but I'm not ready to see everyone yet. So, I'm sitting beside the mansion's gates, hidden by early morning darkness.I scratch my arm and crusted blood flakes away from my skin. My mind replays what I had done earlier and I sigh, knowing I'm going to have to face everyone soon if only to tell them there's a hell of a mess to be cleaned. But at least Emma's safe now. Safe enough, at least. Roger is still a threat in my mind and I don't want him anywhere near Emma. I don't care that she's his daughter, he doesn't deserve her, not after what he's done.My fists clench as I think about all the things I want to do t

The speeches seem to last a lifetime, and they all have the same ending. 'Please donate', 'have a good time', 'enjoy the night.' I've finished my food already, as has everyone else at the table, and I'm counting the thorns on the roses of our table centerpiece. I wonder why the thorns were left alone, making the roses that much more dangerous.Finally, the last speech finishes and there's a round of applause. I clap, too, just to follow along, and survey the room. The atmosphere returns to how it was before- the dancing and drinking- and I wish I could enjoy this night along with everyone else. Now that there's nothing to stop her from talking, Mariam turns to me, her expression an odd one. Her jaw clenches and she takes a glance at Emma, who's sipping at a fresh glass of water. I gulp and scratch the back of my ear just as Roger excuses himself. He doesn't seem to have noticed Emma and I dancing and I thank the heavens for small favors.Mariam's eyes trail Roger as he stops to talk t

I'm allowed to sleep in since we don't have to leave until late in the night, and I enjoy every moment of it. My bed is so comfy that I don't want to leave it. But then Mariam knocks on my door and ruins all the fun. Antony lets her in, giving me a nod, and I sit up just so I don't have to hear Mariam hound me."Time to get up," she says much too cheerily, opening the curtains. The sky is already darkening outside and only the bare minimum of light seeps into my room.I groan and scratch my head, looking Mariam up and down. She's wearing a cobalt blue pencil dress that's perfect for her petite frame. I've seen her wear it once before a long time ago."Am I the only one not ready?" I croak, getting out of bed."Emma's finishing up right now. But yes, you're basically the last one. We have enough time, though."I pad to the bathroom and start the tap so I can wash my face and brush my teeth. "By what you're wearing, I'm guessing I'm supposed to dress up."Mariam fills the bathroom doorw

Emma's stomach began rumbling mid make-out and I didn't want go any further, so we head downstairs, Terry and Antony in tow. My lips tingle oddly and my fingers itch to be linked with Emma's, but I don't want our relationship to be known, or whatever it is we have together. We're not dating but we're definitely more than friends. Kissing buddies, maybe.When we reach the kitchen Emma rummages around the refrigerator for something to eat while Terry, Antony, and I stand around, giving each other a wide berth. I haven't seen Mariam or Richard since coming down from my room but I'm sure they're lurking somewhere, waiting to bombard Emma and I with a few choice words. Mariam would probably want to make sure I'm getting along with the new guards, too.I snap out of my thoughts when Emma offers me some of her sandwich. She's holding it out in front of me, urging me to take a bite. I heat and glance at Terry and Antony. They haven't reacted to the cozy way Emma is being but I still don't lik

Snorting, I jerk awake. Drool is stuck to the side of my mouth and I wipe it away while I blink the sleep from my eyes. My body feels exhausted and dehydrated, and I remember that I had been crying. Face hot in embarrassment, I swivel my head around to try to find Emma, hoping she's not laughing at me and my momentary crack.There's no one around but I hear noise coming from the bathroom. I sit up in bed and run a hand through my gnarled hair. "Emma?" I try, my voice husked with sleep.The toilet flushes, then the tap starts. "In here," she calls out. "Hold on." Some more noise- her drying her hands, blowing her nose- then the bathroom door opens and she steps out. A smile is on her face and she looks rejuvenated. I probably look a mess. "Finally awake, huh?" she chuckles, walking over to the bed."Uh, yeah," I say, cautiously. Emma's acting weird, and not her normal weird. She's gazing at me too sweet. "How long have I been out?"Emma lays down beside me. "A few hours. Terry's checke

Unsurprisingly, I find Emma in the library, her nose in a book. I'm quiet as I approach and Emma doesn't look up. I don't think she knows I've found her yet, and I'm a bit nervous, so I remain just outside the room, watching. Emma's put her hair up in a messy bun, stray strands strewn about her face, and she has her bookmark between her teeth. Her eyes remain in the same spot on the page in front of her and her bookmark is getting more punishment than it deserves. Her anger at her father is clearly nowhere near being over. The news about our entourage probably isn't helping at all.Scratching the back of my neck, I slowly step into the library, almost expecting a harsh glare and the command to go away. It's my job to monitor Emma all day, every day, but I'd give her space if she needed it.I clear my throat to make my presence known and Emma's head jerks up. She stares at me, her bookmark held between her teeth. I scuff my foot on the carpet and stick my hands in my pockets. "Uh... Wh