For the first time, monster, girl, and monarch were completely aligned. Our interests in synchrony. I will rend their limbs from their bodies. I will bathe in their blood. I will laugh as they writhe. Malum’s taunts rang in my ear. “You’re nothing but a spineless coward who doesn’t deserve to be an assassin. You’re weak and pathetic. You’re going to die under my watch, and I don’t give a fuck.” Those were the words he said to Aran. All Arabella heard was “Women are weak creatures that need to be taught their place. Otherwise, they don’t fucking listen.” My limbs trembled.
