“No.”
“Alina,” I warned, “don’t lie to me.”
“I’m insulted that you assume the worst,” she replied playfully.
I leaned forward, towering over her delicate frame. “Are you willing to give me your word?”
“I give you my word.”
“And what do you swear on?”
“God.”
“No, it has to be something you care about.” I cocked my head curiously. “How about your life?”
Her lips pressed into a fine line.
I have you now.
“Let’s test this theory.” My grin widened. I tipped my head back and let the poisoned liquor flood my mouth. I swished the liquid to gather the taste. Then I peered down at her.
Her eyes softened, watching with an unmistakable vivacity that she had shown many times before. An expression of hope, even if she had not meant it to be read in such a way. That glimmer of curiosity was always brighter than her facade, possibly the only honest thing about her.
I grabbed her by the face. The pads of my fingers pressed into her cheeks, forcing her mouth open as her hands gripped my wrist, digging her nails into my skin. I squeezed tighter to force her jaw to open wider for me.
I spat the liquid directly in her mouth, pressing my hand over her mouth before any more could spill from the sides of her lips. “Now swallow,” I said, leaning closer, my voice lowered.
Warm breath quickened through her nose as it fanned over my hand.
Her eyes grew pink as the tears welled up. I would like to pretend that it was from fear, but I knew that it was because the alcohol was burning her mouth the more she held it in.
“What? It’s not poison, correct? Why all the fuss?” I asked her, removing my hand slowly from her mouth.
She held it in on her own.
Genuinely, I wondered what she would do. Would she end it here or subject herself to more of my torture?
After another moment, she opened her mouth and spit out the liquor, gagging slightly as it soaked the front of her skirt andshirt. She spat several times on the floor, attempting to rid her mouth of the numb feeling.
“That’s what I thought.” I sighed, circling her.
Her white blouse became more transparent, allowing a small, damp window to view her breasts, pushed tightly against her by her corset. It was a shame she wore anything underneath at all.
“What do I do with you, hmm?” I asked. “How about another game? I’ll give you a second chance to take control of this mess you have made.”
“No more games.”
“That’s not up to you anymore.” I hummed, ideas swarming from the depths of myimagination. “Get up.”
15
THE POISONER
His eyes held something sinister. An idea danced behind those devilish eyes.
I slowly rose to my feet.
“Elbows and palms on the desk,” the Creature crooned, tipping his head toward the desk.
