THE DEVILS MERCY

ER ON

stes lik

can't tell how much of it is mine anymore. There's so much of it. I

oken doll. Useless limbs, trembling

how long I'

through the silence now, washing away everything but the

t I'm not cold. I'm

nk. S

hink. Maybe a bar. I remember it from before... before they dragged me out o

osed to di

ed me, tossed me

still br

re

ings to my skin. A rat scurries past me and disappears into a

hing left i

hear f

eavy. Pu

se my

back. Please don

ot hurried or violent. Just... calm. Del

yes open-an

the mouth

gn, he looks like something pulled str

ves like it has a life of its own. A glint of silver

ely b

uth-cigarette held between two gloved fingers. His head tilts slightly

ks tow

lease

ak. My voice i

s it. Kee

I can't run. I can't fight. But I'm not going to beg. I'd rathe

n't be here

d-he's beautiful in that terrible way. Sharp jaw. Eyes like obsidian. Col

n. Doesn't touc

l alive," he

isappo

not quite a smile. B

ong in this al

her d

a flicker-but I see it. Int

aze drops

that's tangled against my collarbone. I forgot I

. "Where did you g

hing. Can

n between two fingers-no contact with my skin.

see it: He kno

u?" he asks, voice

ke my

rop. It slides agai

voice is quieter now. Not softe

mach c

ho you think I

But I

ruised wrists, the ripped shirt and bloodied knees. His jaw t

s. It isn't a question.

t cry in front of monster

licker in

t. I expect him to walk away, an

is coat. Shrugs it off. Dra

something expensive. Da

for your hel

plies. "I'm not helping

ords

sh it off, but the coat

yours,"

n doesn't cha

. Hit him. Tell

body be

y side, and the world tilts like I've stepped

e before I h

trong. Unyield

panic setting in.

them," he grow

be that

on't tr

trust

anym

me. Not by choice. By

our name?

wer. But someth

" I w

lready memorized it. Then darknes

ass out, I hear his

t get to