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March 11 - March 12, 2025
It was like death, the dark. Death without peace, a dark without light—the
Gods knew where his boots had disappeared to. Mildly mortifying, he thought through breathless gasps, how hard I fought to keep them. They’d been a gift from Sage.
He’d numbed his emotions so completely at this point, he wasn’t sure he could feel anything anymore. Sage is gone. What does any of this matter?
She was afraid, but she knew now: fear usually meant you were standing on the edge of something new, something self-altering, something potentially good. Fear was not something she would shy away from ever again.
“I would never make the mistake of underestimating a woman like you. It would be a fatal one.”
“What a remarkable young woman,” he heard Arthur say breathlessly. He didn’t look away from her, just stared ahead before coolly replying, “An understatement, I assure you.”
“It is fiction for a reason, you menace. By the gods, what if you carried out every impossible act you read about?” It was a rhetorical question, but she couldn’t resist the urge to slip into the normal ease of their cadence, like no time had passed. “Oh, I suppose that I would need to become very, um—flexible.”
warm tear tracked down her cheek as she smiled shakily and said, “Hello, evil overlord.” The Villain did not cry; she knew this. But she also knew that for the rest of her life, if she got to grow old, wasting away in a bed, recounting her adventures of working for the darkest figure in the land, she would swear to herself, even then, that she saw The Villain’s black eyes glisten. His words finally came on the turn of his lips that, if stretched up any further, she knew would reveal…one singular dimple. “Hello, little tornado.”
“Sage, why is Kingsley here?” Trystan asked, attempting leveled calm. “He likes cream puffs.”
GOD DAMN IT
She’d found something worth loving even about a place called Massacre Manor. And he would resort to whatever dark evil necessary to get her back there.
He would follow her off a cliff without question. And Evie knew she was in love with him. Right then, right there.
She breathed, “It’s so beautiful.” Her boss had been silent beside her, but now he replied hoarsely, still gripping her hand, “Yes, it is.” And when she turned, he was looking at her.
AHHHH
Trystan’s tentative to-do list early the next morning was as follows: 1. Bathe. 2. Get a report on all he’d missed while he was gone. 3. Avoid thinking about Sage’s thighs. 4. Murder Gushiken.
“There is nothing written in any text, gods-created or not, that says we cannot be more than one thing. You’ve been told for a very long time that you are made for destruction, but there is nothing that says you cannot be more. You can be capable of bad and do good. You can do good things and still be bad. Nothing is set in stone, and if it helps, I’ll stand by you no matter who you choose to be.” A ragged, self-deprecating laugh left his lips. “Why?” She couldn’t reveal the real reason without throwing them both completely off their axes, so she merely said, “Because I like who you are, not
...more
There was no emotion in his voice when he said, “Does your mind live in the gutter?” She shook her head, tapping a finger against her lips. “No, but it rents there on occasion.”
“Massacre Manor,” Marvin said gravely. “It’s visible.”
FUCK
“I’ve been hurt plenty by the world, by people, by men. Just because you bury your bad experiences behind revenge schemes and scorn doesn’t mean that I must join you in your misery. Being a cynic doesn’t make you wise. It makes you a coward.”
Pop off queen
She was charming the thing into a stupor. He could sympathize with its plight.
“You know as well as I, Trystan Maverine, that humans demonize what they cannot understand. It isn’t our job to educate them, just to live the way we’re meant to with the knowledge that being called a monster does not make you one.”
Sage presented the knight proudly. “Sir, I’d like you to meet my older brother, Gideon Sage.”
I FUCKING KNEW IT
“Gideon?” He nodded, tears brimming, too, and Evie brought her other hand up. And knocked him square in the jaw.
“Why should I give you a safe place, when you stole mine from me?”
“Sometimes family isn’t a thing we are born into but a choice we make. Sometimes”—Evie smiled—“the people who love you most in your life are the ones who choose you.”
“I’m nervous for you to find Mama.” Lyssa’s voice was small, like she was almost too ashamed to admit the truth to her. “I’m afraid to meet her.” Evie’s eyes opened, startled. “Why, love?” Lyssa’s little face looked fierce, even seconds from sleep. “Because you’re the only mother I’ve ever had.”
MY FOKIN HEART OMG
Mantras began in his mind, steadying him, grounding him. I am malicious. I am evil. I am feared! She turned, and he caught the side of her breast. I am going to die.
“I can’t imagine that.” “What?” she said as they arrived in front of the door. “Not noticing you.”
Lyssa’s hand shot for the end of her braid as she realized the strip of silk was missing. “Rats! The first rule of villainy: never leave evidence behind.”
“You look like a chimney sweep, little villain.” He took the handkerchief from Lyssa’s small hands and lifted it in front of her.
MY FOLIN HEART OMG
Evie leaned closer as Becky said in a hushed tone, “There was no villain’s assistant position…until he met you.”
“The day he hired you, he ordered custom chairs for his office. Very discreetly, but I saw the report, and he made a note that they needed to be comfortable for a woman of short stature.”
The simple joy of making a friend.
“What have you done?” His eyes were searching hers for something he couldn’t understand. “What enchantment is this?”
Trystan had asked her how to get free, not how to ruin his fucking life.
He was dumbstruck in love with her.
Lyssa put both of her small hands up to Evie’s cheeks. “But, Evie, I still have you.”
