The taste of her still lingers—blood, defiance, something dangerously close to temptation. I might have savored it longer, let it settle on my tongue like a favorite sin, but the universe seems determined to remind me that there are worse creatures in this world than me.
Not that I take pleasure in that fact.
But it's the truth.
And if my little lying Peaches hadn't slipped up—hadn't punched me in the godsdamned face—I might have been appropriately shocked for the third time today.
But here we are.
And now, that bitch has descended from her sky palace.
"You bastard!" Leonhart snarls, stepping forward like he's about to do something useful for once.
Meanwhile, Mel has effortlessly slid back into her role. Damsel in distress, all wide eyes and soft gasps, tilting her head just enough to display the fresh mark on her neck. A brand, really. A reminder.
For her? Perhaps. But mostly for me.
I hope it lasts longer than the last one.