Like the last time on crystal meth.
Nearly five years ago, he came to kill me at Edge, and wound up fleeing with my every ounce of composure and every singledroplet of chill I’ve ever had for this hypnotic creature. He took it all, and I’ve been anxiously awaiting his return so that I could get it back… This feeling, thissoarthat he’s responsible for.
Whether he’s here to attempt killing me again makes no difference.
“Whatever you want…” I breathe to him from the floor. “It’s yours, pajarito. I’ve been waiting for you, baby.”
“Isn’t that sweet,” he hisses, eyes narrowed, head tilted.
Oh, he’slight-yearsangrier than last time. I can tell by how calm he is.
I’m marveling.So different…
He’s obviously grown since the last time I saw him; he was barely eighteen then. He’s become more of a man.
And yet…
My eyes dip over what he’s wearing—a negligee of black silk and lace that fits his frame exquisitely. He’s broader, more defined now. And yet he’s dressed… likeher.
Like he could be Avianna, only much more… natural. Strands of shiny bronze flowing to his shoulders, same length as last time. He looks like himself this way. Taut definition visible beneath the sheer fabric.
He’s clean, and he smells…God fuck me, he smells incredible. Still, it’s clear that he was in the prison when it fell, some dirt and bruises on his supple flesh. Circles under his eyes.
I hate to think of what he’s been through here…
Because clearly he was her.The mystery girl in the East.
“You’ve kept me waiting, pajarito,” I tell him gently, reaching out to touch.
He kicks me back, like a dog. “Hands off. We’re not doing that this time.” He bends a bit, pointing the knife at me. “I’m not your little bird anymore, Diablo.”
“You will always be mi pajarito.” My head tilts as I lick my bottom lip, coveting his every inch with my eyes. “Siempre.”
A visible flush crawls across his skin that clearly makes him angry because he growls, “Then yourlittle birdis going to slice you open, Ivory. Hear me when I tell you, I’ve gone through hell and back, and I will not stop until you’re bleeding out. For my father, for my mother… For Avianna, youwilldie tonight.”
“Dios, baby, you’re making me so hard,” I growl, crawling closer to him. “Give me another taste, sweet thing, and then you can kill me, I promise…”
“Callate,” he seethes, hand a bit shaky as he holds the knife barely an inch from my face.
I was wondering where that went…
He sees that I’m recognizing the weapon, and hums, “It’s only fitting that I kill you with my father’s knife,Marfil… The one youstoleafter you killed him.”
That comment has my jaw tensing.
Grabbing the knife by the blade, I allow it to slice my palm. My lashes flutter, and I groan, “Pajarito, I will gladly bleed for you.”
“I don’t just want you to bleed,” he snarls, twisting the handle, digging the blade deeper into my flesh. I grunt, and his eyes twinkle with thrill. “I want you to bleedto death.”
“Mhm… entiendo, baby.” I nod fast. “I get it.”
Easing in closer on my knees, I let the searing pain in my hand drive me. My loins are blazing hotter than I’ve ever felt before as I peer up at him, biting my lip. He pulls the knife away, slicing me more as he does. I exhale a jagged breath.
Bringing the blade to his mouth, he licks my blood clean from the steel.
“Oh ffuuck…” My hooded lids fall shut, chest heaving. Unable to help myself—I’m like a fiend—I drop my head onto his abdomen, running my nose down the silk material covering his pelvis. “Your rage isintoxicating, love.”
He shudders, then pulls away. “S-stop it…”
