Page 57 of Capturing Sin

I quelled the urge to wrench my arm free and slam my fist into his face.

Martin scowled. “You’re being dramatic, Liliana. Again. It’s just idiots being idiots.” He released me to wave a dismissive hand.

“We’re under attack.” My voice came out flat. Instinct screamed that we were all in danger.

“By who?” He scoffed. “We’re perfectly safe here.”

I jerked my arm free. “Come with me now or stay here and die.”

I wouldn’t waste my breath trying to convince a haughty sociopath to save himself.

Now would be the perfect time for me to flee. I could get a head start. I had enough money for the first train ticket to continental Europe, and then I could figure out the rest from there.

If we were under attack, my uncle’s focus would be pulled. If luck were truly on my side, they’d assume I’d been killed.

Hope filled me for the first time since the incident that ripped my life apart.

A bang sounded outside the room. Something slammed against the door again.

I backed up, anticipation stretching the moment taut.

“Get behind me!” I shoved Martin back, watching the only way in or out of the tiny room.

Another boom vibrated through the door.

“W-What is it?” Martin’s voice ended in a terrified squeak.

The door flew open with a crash of sound, the outside world pouring in as screams and gunfire assaulted my senses.

A figure roared in the doorway, eyes glowing blood-red from a narrow face.

I flinched at the disorienting sounds of war but kept my fighting stance. Adrenaline flooded my veins, heightening my focus on the danger.

One of my old test subjects, the skeletal fear demon, licked his lips, eyeing me like his next meal.

He took a step forward, and I tensed to attack, but he jerked still. Something burst from his middle. It took a second to recognise the spike-tipped tail protruding from the groaning demon.

The tail yanked back, and the demon crumpled to the ground.

A horned figure waited, silhouetted in the doorway. Spikes decorated broad shoulders, and a familiar sneer sent my pulse fluttering in panic.

The living shadow stepped over his victim into the lab, a look of triumph on his bloodied face. Bright splashes of red covered him from head to toe, along with deep lacerations through charcoal skin. No scratched metal ringed his throat.

His eyes glowed white-hot as his gaze clashed with mine.

A cruel smile twisted split lips. “Hello, poison.”

Chapter 24

“Sin,” I croaked.

He was free.

And I was about to die.

“So good of you to wait for me, poison. Oh look, and you finally brought me that squeaky toy you promised.” The demon grinned, all teeth and bad intentions.

He darted forward, and I threw a jab, but too many days without proper nutrition had made me slow. My knuckles brushed the side of his cheek as he dodged the sloppy attack and stepped past me like I posed no threat at all.

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