Anathema (The Eating Woods, #1)

by Keri Lake

“It’s called empathy. Something you lack entirely.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows against his muscled thighs. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten the three men who tried to violate you. I’m the fucking empath who killed those men. For you.”

“And what are you? The good and benevolent passerby who stalks the night for rapists and murderers? What were you doing there?” “Good and benevolent.” He sneered. “I have little care for others in general, but less so for mortals.” I ran my tongue across the back of my teeth. “Why is that?” “You’re pests,” he said, his voice thick with repulsion. “Weak little rodents that infest and spread disease.”

“Why would you go through the trouble of training your prisoner?” “Because you’re weak–” “And repulsive, yes, we’ve established this,” I snipped back, impatiently. “I believe you likened me to a rat.” “Rodent.” “Semantics.”