Page 38 of The Reaper's Vice

All at once, it stops.

And then I see it—a person at the edge of the clearing, a heavy black coat strewn over his shoulders, concealing the bulging muscles beneath. A large silver dagger is clutched in his gloved hand, but even that’s not the most frightening part about him—it’s the glowing red eyes of his plague mask.

They glint through the shadows like two menacing orbs, and though I try to look away—to move—I cannot. The stranger turns his head to the side, highlighting the impressive leather beak of his mask, though I’m too focused on the strange branching scar running up his neck.

It looks like… a lightning bolt.The thought fills my head as I take an unwitting step forward. Something deep inside me draws me closer to the masked stranger.Pullingme.

My step crunches against the frozen leaves, but that’s not what brings me out of my trance—it’s his voice. It flows into the clearing, deep and mechanical and not of this world. And it only says one word.

“Run.”

My legs move before I know what I’m doing. Stray limbs whip against my skin as I crash through the brush, my mind blank save for one screaming thought—run.My brain screams for air as I force my feet forward, not caring which way I’m running or where I’ll end up. I only know I have to get away from this crazed maniac.

Just when I think I’ve gained some distance, gloved fingers nip at the ends of my hair, sending a shock of adrenaline to my system and causing my legs to move impossibly faster. But it’s to my detriment.

The tip of my foot catches on a stray root, and I go flying through the air for the second time tonight. I brace for an impact that doesn’t come, my eyes snapping open to find a pair of gloved hands wrapped tightly around my waist, holding me upright.

The fingers tighten, the soft squeak of leather sending a pulse of desire to my core. My breathing quickens at the low laugh that sounds behind me, only to increase as he presses his torso flush against me.

His cock is like steel as it slides across the thin fabric of my leggings. His hips buck, pushing the head against my asshole. My muscles clench, goose bumps covering my exposed skin as a throaty chuckle fills the air.

“You’ve done so well.” He dips his head low until the beak of his mask brushes my shoulder. He takes a deep inhale, letting it out in a decadent moan. “I wonder what I would find if I pushed my fingers up your pretty little cunt? Would you be soaked for me? Dripping, like the dirty little slut you are?”

His hand snaps up, engulfing the front of my throat and applying enough pressure to cut off my airway. My eyes pop as panic lights my veins, my mouth opening and closing as I search for oxygen that won’t come.Not until he lets it.

Holding me in place, his other hand slides beneath my waistband, fingertips inching maddeningly closer to my center. He stops just above the apex of my sex, the cool leather blissful against my heated flesh. Against my better senses, I want him to go lower. I want him totouchme. To take me.

He takes another deep breath, his voice coming out a menacing hiss. “But you’re not just for me, are you? You belong to no one—toeveryone.” His fingers dig into my flesh as spots line my vision, the world dipping in and out of focus as my body goes limp in his hold. And I can do nothing—nothing but ache as he holds his fingers just out of reach.

A vicious snarl echoes as his hips thrust, his grip tightening enough to leave bruises. “Why? Why do you let them touch you?Why,when you belong tome?” His voice is uneven, cracking every other word with pure rage. “You aremine,little dove. Your flesh ismine;your touch ismine.Your thoughts, your breath, your existence—all of it belongs tome.”

He eases the grip on my neck, finally allowing me to take a breath. When I do, he nuzzles the mask to the side of my neck in a gesture so loving it’s fucked up. “You’ll see soon, little dove.Soon.”

His hands leave me, and I’m shoved forward, barely having enough sense to splay my hands out before I go face-first into the dirt. I heave oxygen into my lungs, my vision obscured by the tears of relief pouring down my cheeks.

When I finally collect myself enough to stand, the stranger is gone. My knees quake as I gaze around the small clearing, jumping at every rustle and distant animal call, convinced that the masked face will push through the shadows at any moment,

With a shudder, I trudge back in the general direction of my bike. My heart sinks as I take in its sad state, but I force it from my mind as I take off down the trail, determined to make it to Vee’s by foot.

By the time I make it to the circular clearing in front of the mountain face, I’m freezing, frazzled, and bone-tired. I raise my wrist to the lock, only for the wall of rock to slide open, revealing a worried Vee.

“Seraphina!” She steps forward, her mossy eyes taking in the numerous cuts and scrapes marring my skin. “What happened? I was just about to go out and look for you!”

I shake my head, a shiver running down my spine as I think back to my encounter in the woods. I’m not ready to recount it—if I’ll ever be. All I want is to climb into the bath and lie down for a long, dreamless sleep, banishing all thoughts of the intoxicating masked man.

“It was stupid. I wasn’t paying attention and crashed my bike. No big deal.” I smile, though by the expression on Vee’s face, she’s not convinced.

“Suit yourself.” She steps aside to let me in. “But when you’re ready to tell me, I’m all ears.”

I brush past her, a genuine smile finding me as I take in Sviato and Savyne spread out on the couch. The two great white tigers raise their heads as I step closer, the tips of their tails flicking happily as they regard me.

“Hey, guys.” I plop to the floor in front of the couch and run my fingers through Sviato’s fur absentmindedly. Savyne narrows her eyes in jealousy, reaching out with a massive paw and smacking me away from her brother.

I roll my eyes. “This is why I have two hands,” I murmur, reaching up with the other to give Savyne some pats as well. Vee appears a few minutes later with some Valerian tincture, and I take it gratefully, fighting a scowl as the heinous taste coats my mouth.

“When’s the last time you slept, Seraphina?”

The question is the same as always, yet I feel like I need to be honest with her this time. “Five days.”

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