The Puppeteer and The Poisoned Pawn (The Pawn and The Puppet #3)

by Brandi Elise Szeker

“Because… I’d never let you burn alone.”

This isn’t the face of the girl you first met. This is the face of a woman who has just lost… everything.”

Skylenna is my soul mate.”

now, there is no more sun. And—I’m so cold. I’m so cold, and I’ll never get warm again. Because my sun is gone. It’s dead, and it’s not coming back.”

If you can’t survive without the sun, then we’ll build a fire.”

Because I am the puppeteer. And this asylum is my stage.

“I am Patient Thirteen.”

If I can’t live with you, I’ll die with you.

“I have waited half my life to hear you say that,” I breathe out, trapping her face between my hands. “I love you, Skylittle. I’ve loved you every moment since I pulled you from that basement. I’ve loved you as a child, a teenager—but as an adult, I am deeply, madly, agonizingly in love with you.”

“I want you to fucking suffocate me, Skylenna,”

“You are the reason I chose not to stay in the inner world. You are why I’ve lived through my trauma. You are the love of my life.”

I want to chase away her hell and deliver her to heaven.

I love you so much it hurts.”

Then I’ll wait for you, Skylittle. I’ll always wait for you.”