One-hundred and five.
One-hundred and six heartbeats.
“You’re not stupid, child. You know you’ll pay for this the moment Clarity returns. There are worse things than death. Haven’t you learned that yet?”
“I know.”
“Then get off me and I’ll make sure they don’t maim you too much.” Her smile was evil personified. “However, wait another moment longer, and I’ll personally tear you limb from fucking limb.”
The curse fell from her red painted lips.
I smiled, cocking my head. “Not yet. I want answers first.”
“I’ve given you plenty of answers.”
“No, that was convoluted history seen through your twisted eyes.”
She snorted.
“I want to know why you are the way you are. Why you’re ludicrously set on an ancient vendetta. Are you just mad and passed that defective gene onto your son or did you grow into this despicable creature?”
“You stupid,stupidgirl. I’ve helped keep this family together. There is nothing wrong with loving blood over others.”
“Even murder?”
She grinned, showing yellowing death and bad breath. “Especiallymurder.” She raised her head off the ground, bringing our eyes closer together. “Especially your bloodline’s murder. Youoweus.”
“What did we ever do to you to deserve such barbaric treatment?”
“You know what!”
“No, I don’t. I will never understand because there is nothing rational to understand. It’s just a sickness inside you that needs to end.”
She coughed, her ancient lungs rattling. “You don’t know a thing about me.”
“Tell me. I’m giving you the opportunity, right now.” I glared. “I want to know. This is your last chance.” A contorted smile spread my lips. “Call it your last confession. Purge your sins, Bonnie, because I’m sending you to your grave—secrets told or not.”
No fear shone on her face, only black rebellion. “I have nothing to confess.”
“Bullshit.”
I don’t have time for this.
I wanted to know Bonnie’s tale. I wanted to try and understand why someone would go to such lengths. But I wouldn’t sacrifice my only opportunity to kill her.
“You don’t want to talk? Fine. I changed my mind.” Gritting my teeth against another influx of pain, I grabbed her scarf—the pretty silk decoration to match her despicable outfit—and tugged it tighter around her neck. “Want to know what I promised myself when I first came to your home and was told what would become of me?”
She pushed at my hands, sending a shard of agony down my break as I slowly tightened the scarf. Her eyes bugged wider and wider.
“I made an oath to be the last Weaver stolen. At times, I didn’t know how I would honour that vow. But now...I do.”
She begged for air, her lips gasping. I wasn’t throttling her...yet, but the fear of strangulation sent droplets of panic across her overly powdered face.
The stench of rose water and summery perfume gave me a headache, but nothing would stop me doing this.
I lessened my hold a little. “Now, before I go too far. Do you want to know what I know or would you rather die clueless?”
Are you sure this is wise?
