There Are No Saints (Sinners, #1)

by Sophie Lark

This is the first time in my life that I’ve desired something without understanding why.

I’ve never seen anything so beautiful. She’s bronze as a statue in the purplish light. If I could sculpt her exactly like this, it would be my greatest work. I want to pour molten metal over her, freezing her in time forever.

The discounted rate was a fabrication, invented by me on the spot. The same with this grant. It’s all leverage to get Mara right where I want her: completely at my mercy.

“It’s not a demon,” I say. “It’s the devil.” “What’s the difference?” “There’s only one devil.”

We’re bound together now, her art on my skin and mine on hers.

“I told you,” he says, stepping close to me as he always does, so I’m forced to look up at him. So my heart pounds in my ears so loudly that I can hardly make out his words. “I’ve acquired you, Mara, like a painting, like a sculpture. Anyone who tries to damage what’s mine will face consequences.”