"Don't touch me!" She backed away, voice cold. "See, Silas? Your touch makes me sick."
"You're lying." My voice was tight, eyes fixed on her every expression. "Your body doesn't say that. Every time I fuck you, you bitedown on me so eagerly. Your body's way more honest than you are, Anthea."
Her face changed, disgust and rage nearly spilling from her eyes.
"Let me prove it to you." I kissed her again.
This time, she bit me. Her teeth sank into my lower lip, the taste of blood spreading between our tangled breaths. I held the back of her head, deepening the kiss, my tongue forcefully exploring her mouth. She tried to bite again, but I'd learned—I used my tongue to pin hers down so she couldn't get leverage. My tongue swept every inch of her mouth, chasing her retreating tongue.
Her hands pressed against my chest, desperately trying to push me away. I gripped the back of her neck, giving her no escape. I felt her trembling in my arms, but I couldn't tell if it was anger or fear.
Finally, I released her. She gasped for breath, eyes red.
"You don't want me?" A fire burned in my chest. "Let's see what your body says."
I ignored her struggles, my fingers moving between her legs. But I found only dryness. She had no reaction to my touch at all. Impossible. Every other time I touched her, she'd be soaked, making those sounds in my ear that drove me crazy.
"See?" she said mockingly, her eyes ice cold.
I didn't believe it. I fucking didn't believe it. I bent down, spreading her legs. She struggled to close them, but I held her knees apart. I buried my face between her thighs, my lips wrapping around her soft folds, my tongue gently licking her most sensitive spot.
Her body went rigid. I worked harder to please her, my tongue circling her clit, sometimes gently sucking, sometimes flicking rapidly with the tip of my tongue. I used every technique I'd ever used to make her scream, to make her beg.
But her body was like a statue, no response. I refused to give up, speeding up my tongue. I slipped a finger inside her, searching for that sensitive spot that drove her wild. After a while, my saliva covered her, but she still hadn't produced any wetness. Until one hard suck made her clench around my head. Then I felt moisture, with her signature sweet scent.
Joy surged through me. I lifted my head to tell her—she was wet for me—but she threw up.
Warm liquid splashed on my face, in my hair. I froze. She'd barely eaten anything today, so all that came up was stomach acid. The smell wasn't strong, but it still hurt.
She looked down at me, her merciless gaze making my eyes sting.
"I told you." Her voice was hoarse, weak from vomiting. "You make me sick."
I stumbled backward, falling and getting up several times. She meant it. She really was... disgusted by my touch.
I don't know how I left that room. I only remember the hallway was long and dark, my steps unsteady.
The daysthat followed became a long torture.
Anthea got frighteningly thin, her eye sockets sunken, cheekbones protruding. She spent most of her time lying in bed staring blankly, her eyes empty like she'd lost her soul. When Olei came to see her, she'd force out a smile, but that smile was so pale it broke your heart.
One afternoon, I walked into her room again. She lay in bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling, no reaction to my arrival.
"Anthea." I stood by her bed, my voice tired like all my strength had been drained. "Tell me what you want. Anything except leaving, I'll give you."
For a long time, she didn't answer. The room was so quiet I could only hear my own heartbeat, one beat after another, slamming painfully against my ribs.
Then she spoke.
"I want you dead." She turned to look at me, her voice flat.
Those eyes that used to be so bright were now dull and lifeless, like all life had burned out. My stomach twisted painfully. Outside the window, the sunset was sinking, orange-red light slanting in, casting shadows on her pale face. She looked at me quietly, waiting for my reaction.
I lowered my head and pulled the gun from my waist. Anthea's eyes widened slightly. Clearly, she hadn't expected this response.
I walked to the bed, bent down, and pressed the gun handle into her hand.
"Here." My voice was strangely calm. "I'll teach you."
