Page 45 of Venom Sweeter than Honey
Lucen wills away his clothes and my tattered and bloodied dress before stepping into the tub and lowering us into the warm water.
I curl tighter against his chest. His heavy arms tighten around me as he brings his lips to my ear.
“I’m so sorry, sweetling. Please, forgive me.”
I wake sometimein the night. A sliver of moonlight casts its watery light into Lucen’s bedroom, where I am held in the devil’s arms. My chest feels hollow. Like my heart has been carved out and all that remains is a fleshy, pulsating wound to remind me of its absence.
The sensation of a now familiar, overwhelming magic presses upon me. My eyes are drawn to its source. Standing across the room.
Azrael’s eyes meet mine. His expression is an unmasked display of disappointment and sadness. Shame, unlike anything I’ve ever known, pierces the wound in my chest.
His words are a barely audible whisper.
“Good luck, sweet seraphim.”
RAIA
Sleep did not return until the sun rose, only to greet me with nightmares of Lucen, his cane, and whatever he may hope for me at his brothel. I have no intention of participating, obviously. From the moment I wake, plans of escape devour my thoughts, peppered with memories of Azrael and my shame. As foolish as it might be, I can’t help but feel like I’ve just lost an ally.
Lucen is gone—to work presumably. I have no idea if he’ll hunt me down, but I’m willing to risk it. Surely, I can concoct some elixir to counter the magic of this godsforsaken ring.
When I attempt towillmy clothing to Thessaly’s, it remains steadfastly on Lucen’s hangers.
Fuck...
Fuck.
Fuck.
Fuck.
I shake my head at my gorgeous wardrobe.
Fuck it. I don’t want his memories anyway.
I take the small satchel I came here with, and a few items of clothing and jewellery I’d brought with me from Thessaly’s. Allof it is unworn. Too painful a memory to unearth from this small bag, the top of which sits a vial—Thessaly’s last gift to me.
The world around me seems to tilt as I hear the echo of his words in my mind.
Don’t worry, nothing lethal. Just something that will paralyze him and neutralize his powers for a bit should he try to have his way with you.
I zip the leather satchel closed. If he comes for me, at least I’ll have some chance of escape.
Thank you, Thessaly.
My wings can’t carryme fast enough as I make my way—like a mortal—through the streets. Pedestrians flash me dirty looks for flying so low, among those forced to remain with two feet on the ground, but I fear that if I fly overhead and Lucen decides to walk home, he’ll see me.
The route takes me through the neighborhood where I followed Lucen to what I now realize must be his brothel—something my mind still has a hard time grasping.
Againstalllogic, the nearer I get to it, the more loudly my intuition seems to scream at me to go there.Why,I’m not entirely sure—perhaps so that I may see for myself, and conceive the inconceivable.
When I’m only a few blocks away, I press my wings flat against my back—tail coiling around one thigh in fear—as I draw the hood of my cape over my head. I attempt towilla glamour into place, but even that doesn’t work. It is a thorough magic that this Akash-forsaken ring possesses.
Thankfully, many of the people in this neighbourhood are wearing hoods, trying to look inconspicuous. I blend right in.
I haven’t even rounded the corner of the alleyway, and already I can hear males arguing. Pressing my side against the wall, I hover out of sight, straining my ears to interpret furious, growled words.
“... did the job... want my fucking money?—”
