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It put men at ease sometimes, to know that my skills involved something more feminine. Explaining myself was exhausting. I would instead dumb it down to keep my peace.
It is not a choice to be stupid, though I gave my best efforts to be sympathetic.
I chose to be a spectator this time. There was something comforting about people-watching. I liked to wonder what it was like to be different people.
He kept me in the corner of his eye as if to ask, What will you do? I wish I could say that I made that man suffer—that I put his hands in jars and severed the tongue from his mouth. Instead, I did something far worse. I did nothing.
What will you do now, voyeur?
My self-preservation overpowered my need for justice at that moment, and I will never forget how filthy it felt.
There was no need to change out of funeral attire, as men die every day—a cause for celebration.
I can’t help it. Who am I to rob myself of life’s simple pleasures?
I had many knives at home, though you could never have enough.
How arrogant, the way he was so comfortable in a place he did not belong. Typical of a man.
I would have strung them with hair from my last grand gesture, but I thought using yours would do perfectly well, a more personal touch. —Silas
“Is that how you will shake when I catch you? Or will it excite you to be under me in all the ways I plan to have you?”
“This is…quite the list. Has anyone informed you that you’re an extremely odd woman, or do they assume that you already know?” He tilted his head down at me.
“Because it’s a masterpiece made by my dear shadow. I can’t bring myself to throw art away!” he teased. “Besides, then I would have to admit to stalking you. I would much rather make all the excuses in the world to see you,” he said sweetly as he walked beside me.
He helped me into the cab with my hand in his, leaning down to it in what I thought would be a kiss. His fangs snapped forward and moved to bite a finger. I snapped my hand away. “You are a fiend,” I hissed, yanking the cab door closed. “Only for you.”
“Oh, if this isn’t the most beautiful view”—he flattened his tongue against the wetness coming from me—“then I don’t know what is.”
“Oh, my dearest Alina…I want to do such terrible, sickening things to you. I hope you know that.”
Viktor watched curiously, that same wonder in his gaze, like how he’d looked at the plants in the garden. He was holding me in the same regard. It was a new feeling, knowing that two men were looking at me like that, though I was sure I would be getting grief about it later from one in particular.
He glanced at the axe and then back at my face. Genuine surprise. “Marry me,” he breathed. “Get out!” I yelled, yanking the blade out of the wall and sending splinters scattering across the floor. “Not when you flirt with me like that.”
“Silas, two. Alina, z—” “One!” I shouted, and shanked the tip of the pen into his thigh, relieving the pressure from my scalp. I was unsure if the following animalistic noise was from pain or arousal. I would rather not dwell on it.
A low vibration came from his chest as my body melted in his arms, before pulling his fingers out to inspect their scarlet coating. “Does the point go to you or me? Is this a draw?” He hummed, licking his fingers clean. “That is revolting.” I grimaced, ignoring his question. “Blood is blood.” He smirked. “I will take anything you give me—anything.”
You want to know what I want? I want you, Alina. All of you. Every hair on your head, every tear, laugh, and scream that rips from your delicate vocal cords will all become mine.”
“You are a cruel, wicked thing, Silas Forbes,” I bit out. “There. That’s it.” His hand shot up and gripped my jaw, squeezing. “I want to taste every venomous word performed by your lips until you have to invent new ones just for me.”
It was amusing to see it all unfold. If only I had known that I could have done this sooner, maybe I would have had more fun with him by now. Taming beasts was easy if you dangled their reward just out of reach.
“If you’re going to compare your nasty impulses to the likes of dogs,” I purred, “then you better bark.”
He rested his chin on my sternum as he looked up. “Please.” His words rolled off his tongue like honey,
“How will you torture me today?” “Just samples—no torture.” “I was looking forward to it.” He sighed in disappointment. “Apologies for not having anything crueler in mind.” “You are forgiven,” he responded with a small grin.
“How is that fair?” “I didn’t say it was, but I’m not giving you more blood for a sample of spit.” I rolled my eyes. “Open your mouth. I can give you some right now.”
“Get out,” I snapped. “I’m not finished.” He glared. “Why must you be so difficult?” I pushed his face away and stood shakily. “Because I know that you like it, deep, deep down,” he teased, rising to his feet in tandem. “Pest.” “Vixen.”
“Arm.” She held her hand out without looking at me. “‘Please, Silas. Thank you, Silas. How are you, Silas? You look so handsome today, Silas,’” I teased, rolling up my sleeve and putting my arm in her hand.
“How do you really know her?” “Can’t fault a man for trying.” I answered him. “We run in similar circles.” “That seems more plausible than courting.” “Even so, I have better odds than you.” “Are you certain of that?” “I am absolutely certain.” “We will see.”
“I will not forgive you if you die without my permission,” I whispered. While it was supposed to be a joke, it was also truthful.
Reluctance was apparent between the pleasure and the restraint he so obediently practiced. It brought me joy knowing I could make a creature like him mewl for me, beg for me without a single word.
“I couldn’t stand how pathetic you looked when you cried on those steps, begging me to save you from the monster in your kitchen.”
“I can’t stand when you cry,” he said quietly. “The smell burns the inside of my nose.”
“I love your eyes, even when they’re red from tears.” He placed his hand on the side of my face. “I have never seen someone look at something as wretched as me only to be left in awe,”
“For that reason, your eyes will always be precious to me, in any form. I want nothing more than to climb inside your skull and see the world as you do.”
“I have not known fear until I met you, Alina,” he interrupted me. “Do you know how horrifying it was to see you on those stairs and wonder what could have possibly scared you enough to cry out to me, of all things?”
“I realized that it wasn’t you who scared me the most,” he whispered finally against my lips, looking at me through his lashes. “What scared me is what would happen to me without you.”
“Please take me home, Silas.” “Shh.” He pulled me in tighter, like I would slip away if he let go. “You just have to be here a little longer while I figure this out. All right? Then I’ll take you anywhere you ask of me,” he said softly, pulling the covers over us and holding me tight.
I did not know if he slept at all that night. All I knew was that he never left my side.
That was all that mattered.
“People are avoiding me like the plague.” “Oh, that is because I told them that you were carrying my demon spawn and also secretly engaged to me.” He smirked.
“So you heard the rumors too, I take it?” “Of course! I started a few of my own. I felt like I was missing out,” he joked. “Half of them did not sound terrible.”
“Are you suggesting that we court publicly?” “Why not?” “You don’t think it would be bad for your reputation?” “You’re intelligent, a uniquely skilled killer, and beautiful beyond my wildest imagination. I think you would be good for my bloodline.”
“Relax.” His voice strained as he rolled his hips, pulling out slowly before burying it back inside. “It hurts,” I cried softly, my legs shaking. “I know, I know,” he soothed me. “Let it out, cry for me.” He picked up his pace.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, kissing the skin on my shoulder and up to my neck, his fingers tangling in my hair and keeping me in place, pushing his hips firmly into mine. “You said you wouldn’t,” I breathed. “I lied,” he said lowly. “Why?” “Because you are mine.”
The three men lunged but were obscured when a hand slapped across my eyes and a strong body pulled me back. A scream was cut off abruptly before a thud was heard. Then, the sounds of ripping began. I panicked within the arms holding me and clawed at the hand over my eyes, my body trembling from the noises alone. “Don’t look,” Silas whispered in my ear, holding me tight against his chest.
“This is why you can’t venture into treacherous places like these without me.”
He let go of my neck and lapped at the spot. “Let me know when you’ve had enough.”
