EROSYNE; HER BODY, THEIR LAB

ose as rain poured generously on me, barely keeping upright. Every breath is a blade. Ever

cuts no relief. My clothes feel wrong, abrasive, heavy,

streetlamp. I hit the pavement hard

ain from the inside. I press my cheek to the wet asphalt. Maybe

Royce slides to a halt inches from

the kind of voice born in boardrooms and whispered a

slicked back like some fallen angel. His suit clings to him, ruined by the rai

a well-timed silence. He stretched forth his arms reaching for me, his fingers pressing gently to my throat,

s your name

acks as I cough. "Ale

're burning up." His tone sha

answer him. My mouth feels

ave you." He asked a

one word.

ows. Of course he knows. A man like him doesn't stay rich wit

anted to, which I couldn't. he lifts

ats. The clean scent of sand

y

imported marble while diplomats scrambled for silence. That was the first time I heard the name Erosyne. A synthetic fire

Chu's line but it never went.

s clutching her stomach. Her nails rake

hospital and there is none nearby. No antidote stocked in any goddamn pha

PENT

ouse like fists. I carry her into the ro

dy arching in violent tremors, Not from pleasure. From overlo

nto spasms as though trying to escape her own skin. The drug is doing exactly what it was

. "Make it stop," she gasps. "Please

ng from my sleeves onto her burning skin. She moans then closes her mouth like she's a

self than to her. "It's about surviving." She can't ans

Not fear, not consent, either. But will power. "Are you sure? I shoul

it's all she has left. My stomach tightens. I hate myself for what comes next. But I

saved her life but it seems like I raped her. I don't sleep with drugged people but I did this to save her. The sheets are twisted, damp

nly truth I

e storm beg

crossed a line no amount

tching the city blink back to life.

issed calls, security, board m

possible look in her eyes. Not fear. Not surrender. But boldness. Li

e. One I'll ha