While she readies herself for war, Isla nearly stumbles through the door, her arms full of seemingly innocuous things. The only bag that looks like it might contain weaponry is the box of nails from the hardware store. Other than that, it’s just stuff from some nail and hair shop.
Unable to do anything but watch in abject horror, I witness the monstrosities Isla creates with a manic gleam in her eyes, her gaze bouncing back and forth from her phone to the items in front of her.
Finally ready to go, they high five like we’re about to go play hockey, not commit countless murders. Once again, the two of them are in matching all-black outfits that almost look militant, if not for the incredibly tight fit and lack of pockets.
“It’s sunny outside. Why are you in all black?” I laugh.
“Because I don’t want to be able to see the blood on my clothes,” Isla shrugs. “How you feeling, Bels?”
Bel rolls her shoulders, the thrum of her heart rising with the promise of vengeance. Her eyes meet mine, and she answers, “I feel like sinning. How bout you?”
The almost playful malice in her tone gives me full-body shivers. Seeing her plotting how to kill dozens of men shouldn’t make me so fucking hard, but here we are.
I stand and run my hands down my legs to loose some errant energy, “Let’s go, then.”
Mutually Assured Destruction
Caspian
I have never known agony such as this.
For the first time in all of my years, Vankhala seems like a mercy. I don’t know how long I’ve been kept here, unable to so much as move. The chains they’ve wrapped me in scald where they touch, burning through to the bone quicker than my skin can repair itself.
I stayed in my mortal form as long as I could, hoping against hope that I could keep them from this cruelty I knew they would perform.
They chopped one of them off. Although chopped is the wrong word, it implies something was done quick. They mangled it, sawing slowly through the flesh and bone holding it together. Then they threw it on the floor like trash, that motherfucker taking a photograph of it before carrying it off, presumably to some gods damned trophy room.
Now, he’s returned without a care in the world.
Isla’s cousin. I found nothing about him when I was researching her. They hardly speak, it would appear. At least she won’t mind when I gut him, I suppose.
“You seem upset, Caspian,” the man tells me, a smile in his voice. He knows he’ll get no response from me. He only wants to hear himself speak. “If you’re missing your girl and the other monster you share her with, no need to. You’ll all be together soon enough.”
Every muscle in my body tenses, wishing to slice him where he stands too calmly.
“Now, I’ll be honest, Cas. Iama little disappointed. I had heard that Fritz was the impulsive one. The type who wouldn’t hesitate to show up and tear through us to get to his bestie. And yet… days had gone by and… nothing.
“So what was I to do? It would appear that your loved ones needed a little… incentive. My guess is that they’ll be here within the hour. Your little firecracker will make sure of it. How do you like the new ‘do, by the way? I like to think maybe I inspired her little change.” His flippant tone as he speaks of how he traumatized Bel has me holding back a growl. Any reaction will be taken as a reason to strip more flesh from me, and I haven’t much left to give.
“Anywho,” he chuckles, “We’re just waiting it out together. I’m having a little bit of deja vu, actually. Bel sat in that exact chair when she was visiting. Although she wasn’t as fun to play with as you. She doesn’t have your nifty little healing ability, so they had to stop whenever she was close to unconsciousness. Couldn’t have her pain leading you to us before we were ready, of course.”
Will this fucker ever shut up?Every word he utters about Bel drags out how long and terrible I will make his death. If I ever escape these chains, I’m going to start by dragging his intestines out, making him watch as they exit his body, still fighting to function on the outside instead of where they belong.
I close my eyes and imagine all the ways I can prolong his death; maybe I’ll have Fritz freeze his entrails once they’re outtrails. He would love that. I let my brain spiral down this hole of beautiful imagery, ignoring the pompous ass still prattling on and on about himself and his genius.
This goes on for what seems to be hours before I hear a sound from above. A terrible boom that forces my eyes to fly open, followed by the sounds of falling debris a few levels above us.
Alastor meets my eyes, his grin growing, “They’re here. Fucking finally. Though, it’s strange.” Alastor comments, “It doesn’t appear your friend is here at all. I don’t suppose your girl would be crazy enough to come alone, do you?” He raises one brow and grins.
Fear grips my heart in a way nothing ever has before.
She wouldn’t.
She absolutely would.
She wanted to come back for the countless strangers here. Of course, she would come running headfirst in here for me. But Fritz wouldn’t let her. There’s no fucking way he’d be that foolish. He would never risk her life, not for anything. That’s the whole reason I knew what had to be done.
He and Isla got her out and left me behind. So what in the gods’ names are they doing now?
