Instead, I let out a small, humorless laugh. “Back to this again? How pathetic can you possibly be, to be this obsessed with someone who doesn’t want you?”
Hopefully, if I piss him off enough, he’ll just beat me up and leave. I can work with bruises.
Leon doesn’t take the bait. He brushes a strand of hair off my face. “Once again, you are showing how truly stupid you are, Vivian. You need to let go of this word, ‘want.’ I’ve told you time and time again, your wants mean nothing. You will belong to me, whether you want to or not. The only thing that was ever in question was how difficult you were going to make it.”
“I will never stop fighting you,” I spit and try to bite his fingers.
I hope he gets supernatural sepsis. It’s definitely a thing.
But Leon only laughs, and this time it’s laced with real amusement. Of course, he’s enjoying himself; he loves seeing me helpless.
“Always fighting impossible fights,” he muses as he leers at me. “Don’t worry, pet. We’ll get to breaking you very soon. But first, you’re going to tell me how you broke your leash.”
My eyes widen, only now remembering that I shattered the leash.
Why am I like this?
Right – head injuries.
Despite being pressed to the ground, I manage a shrug. The action sends stabbing pain through my shoulders. “I manifested bolt cutters. You know, with my Creator powers,” I answer sarcastically.
The Creator collar still hangs around my throat.
So much for ‘no chains can hold me.’
Still, I call on my Reaper energy, ready to blast off these chains and use them to strangle Leon.
Nothing happens.
Leon’s grin only grows. “Oh no, Vivian. I’m afraid I won’t be taking any more chances with you.” He nods to my wrists. “Those manacles block all magic. You are completely powerless.”
I grit my teeth, but don’t let any disappointment shine through. Why would I wallow? Feeling powerless is nothing new to me.
“Now that you understand your position, you’re going to tell me how you broke the leash.”
He adds even more pressure to my head. A sharp pebble digs into my cheek.
I grit my teeth. “The leash was sentient. It shriveled up and killed itself when it saw your dick.”
It isn’t my best comeback, but I’m still fairly new to engaging in insults. I’m sure I’ll improve over time.
Leon lets out a theatrical sigh as he releases my hair, shifting his weight until he’s sitting on my legs. “I thought you might be resistant. But never fear, very soon, you’ll be begging for a chance to make things right between us.”
A chill snakes down my back, and it takes a concentrated effort not to look back at him. Leon likes my fear. The more I give him, the more likely he is to assault me. Instead, I force my muscles to loosen, even when every part of me is screaming to run.
“The only thing I want to beg for is peace and quiet. Go annoy someone else with your tantrums.”
Hands clamp down on my thighs, and fingernails dig into my skin.
Great, now I’m going to be the one who’ll catch some kind of flesh-eating bacteria.
There’s a low growl before Leon answers, “Stupid, stupid girl. You have no idea what is in store for you. Since you’ve proven yourself too difficult to control, we’ve decided that you are going to need better motivation. You’re going to rot in this cell, and I’m going to visit you every day.”
I twist, hoping he’s distracted enough for me to knock him over, but his weight doesn’t budge.
Instead, he leans forward until his breath fans across the back of my neck. “I wonder, once you start birthingour children, whether you’ll finally decide to obey? Or if you’ll decide to abandon them and stay down here?”
Bile rises in my throat, and a fresh wave of fear floods me. I crane my neck to face him.
