Page 51 of Eternal
I’ll enjoy this, though, chipping away at her, making her vulnerable to me, watching her break for me.
She won’t make it easy but that’s fine, the harder she fights, the more fun it’ll be.
And maybe, I’ll figure out why the hell she’s making me feel things I don’t have a name for.
I watch her walk out of the dining hall, I wait a few moments, long enough to avoid suspicion, then make my exit.
A little chit chat with my target.
I spot her by a treeline, sitting on the stairs, surrounded by two massive dogs. It’s a curious sight, Voron playing with animals, softly looking at them.
It’s always so interesting to see that.
Obviously, I already knew about these two, but experiencing it is different.
I approach her slowly, making sure my footsteps are only loud enough for her to hear. The dogs go on alert immediately, their bodies tense, their eyes locked on me. Smart animals.
They really love her.
“Can’t handle the noise inside, partner?” I ask, leaning against the railing.
She glances back, her dogs shifting at her feet. “Something like that. Needed air. A strange man seems to have stolen it.”
A laugh escapes me, because I know she’s talking about the way I’ve been watching her all night. Some might call it eye-fucking, but for me, it’s more like observing…maybeobsessing.
I simply… notice too much.
But she doesn't need to know that.
I smirk, folding my arms. “Should I return it then to make you happy?”
“No need, you can keep it now.” Her eyes flick over me, pretty as ever, before landing on my mouth. “Are you still nursing that busted lip?”
A low laugh rumbles out of me. “Ah, so you did notice.”
“Hard not to. I did that.” Her voice is light, but there’s a glint in her eyes, something self-satisfied and proud. “It’s giving you that dangerous look. I bet you like it.”
She’s fucking insane.
“You’re proud of that?” I ask, touching the faint bruise like it still stung. It doesn’t, but her reaction is worth the act.
“Proud? No.” She shrugs, leaning down to scratch one of the dogs behind the ear. “Only wondering if I should aim lower next time, partner.”
The dark amusement bubbling up inside me is impossible to hide. “Careful. You’re not getting rid of me that easily, it wouldn’t be that fun if I was that weak, don’t you think?”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” she mutters, but the sarcasm in her smile is almost funny.
“Good,” I say. “And for the record,” I add, stepping a little closer, “I take good care of my partners.”
Her brow arches at that, her fingers stilling on the dog’s head. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
“You’ll see it,” I reply, letting my voice drop. “One way or another.”
The dogs shift again, I glance down at them, noticing the bigger one baring its teeth ever so slightly.
“Looks like someone’s not sold on me yet,” I remark, nodding toward the dog.
“Smart,” she responds, standing straighter. “Makes two of us, then.”
