Page 9 of Pretty Poison

“What did it take?”

Another laugh escapes me. “Apollo went on a total of twelve dates within the three weeks after our tattoo. He said he hated it, but something about the way he spoke about Ares was enough to contradict himself.”

“So did they get together?” Her interest is evident; she’s sitting on the edge of her seat–literally and figuratively. For a split second, she breaks eye contact and turns her attention to the box of muffins.

“They did,” I reply with a smile. Then my face falls and I feel like I’m losing him all over again. “They were happy but my father was a shallow man, so Apollo left to save his sanity.”

She stops, holding a muffin in her hand as it falls limp, almost dropping it, her eyes searching my features. “That’s okay,” she whispers. “We all have things we don’t like to talk about. I have a few stories of my own and—” Kat’s mother returns with a clipboard in hand, cutting her off.

“Alright, Liana, are you ready?” She walks around us both and drags out a small, spinny chair from underneath the oddly-shaped cabinet, perching herself on it.

“Yeah,” I breathe.As ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.

“Give her a rundown first, Mama,” Kat says, pushing herself and her snacks backwards towards the desk.

She smirks and giggles at Kat’s words. “Okay, so, there are tests to be done. There will be a blood draw to check your hormones. An ultrasound will ensure there are no underlying issues that would play a major factor in you being unable to conceive. I’ll also need to perform an ovarian reserve test to guarantee your eggs are healthy. The whole process will be over within ninety minutes, give or take. Every woman is different and we can take as many breaks as you need.”

A weak smile touches my lips. “I don’t suppose we can start with the blood test? I-I’m not that good with needles.”

Her soft laugh is endearing as she says, “Of course, dear. Rather get the most daunting test out of the way to focus on the rest. I’ll get that set up for you now.”

The whole thought of this is daunting, the blood test just makes it even more so.

Five

DARIO

As I walk through the narrow hall of the soldiers’ house basement, I hear the rattling of chains and the muffled cries of our prisoners. It’s like a sweet melody to my ears to hear their pain—I take a tremendous amount of pleasure in it.

Inching closer to the farthest cell, the wretched smell of burning flesh reaches my nostrils, and I force myself to swallow. I’ve never been able to come to grips with that horrid scent, but Silas… he’s another breed of man. While he hasn’t outright admitted to hate or love it, he doesn’t complain.

Upon entry, I watch as Silas takes careful steps backward to admire his work and I walk around him. The man dangling from the chains has the word ‘filthy rat’ carved into his stomach, which Silas has cauterized with his trusty blowtorch, sealing the wound. It leaves the wretched stench of burning flesh in the air that I force myself to stomach.

“What a mess,” I say, a tinge of disappointment in my voice.

He spins around to face me, his face smeared with lovely streaks of crimson. “Eh, don’t worry,” Silas replies, swatting the air, “I’ll clean up when he’s dead.” He slides past me, returning to his table of toys—an array of weapons he has on standby for this exact situation.

“And not a second before, I hope.” Glancing around, I breathe in my surroundings. I haven’t been in this specific cell in years. We’ve never had to use it, but I guess we’re overcrowded now. The threats against my family and I are increasing with each passing day, and they need our immediate attention.

“There’d be no point, brother. I’m not finished yet. Don’t you see his bare skin? That’s a perfect canvas.”

I sigh, rubbing my eyebrows. “Just… Don’t be trekking through the house with that shit on you. Mama had the floors polished last week. She’ll kill you.”

“Why is Mama havingyourfloors polished? She doesn’t even live in the house anymore.”

“You’re one to talk,” I scoff with a laugh. “You’ve got a whole house of your own, and yet, you’re here more than there.”

“Shoot me for wanting to be around family, damn.”

“Don’t tempt me with a good time, brother.”

He rolls his eyes at me, returning to my line of sight with an old, rusted blade. Hisfavouriteold, rusted blade. The tip has long since snapped off from the sheer use of it, and he likes it better that way. To know that he inflicts more pain with this, than one with a tip, brings a wicked smile to his face every time.

The man’s attention turns to the blade as Silas creeps closer. “I-I told you e-everything I know. I-I swear,” he stutters as terror tightens his face.

Silas tuts. “Why don’t I believe that?” He crouches down to meet the weak man’s gaze. Gripping his chin roughly with one hand, Silas brings the edge of the knife to his cheek and slices downward, watching the blood come to the surface and touch the blade. “I’m not done until you’ve spilled every single secretyou’ve ever kept and you’re buried so deep, not even the demons of the earth can find you.” He releases his head and it swings back, the thud of it against the concrete wall echoing through the room.

“Alright, you have this one,” I add, retracing my steps to the door. “But, for the love of God, wash yourself off before coming back.”

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