Page 40 of Emperor of Corruption
She looks around, concern shadowing her gaze, and I keep as still as a statue. Now’s a good enough time to reveal myself as any, but I’m finding I enjoy her fear. I like sitting in it,bathingin it, soaking it up and taking it as fuel.
Her fear is as delectable as the rest of her, and tonight, I’m going to see a lot of it.
She resumes her trek to the bedroom, steps quickened, and flicks on the lights in the doorway. That’s when she comes to a dead stop, and a gasp shudders into her. She’s seen the items I’ve left on her bed, and from the way she stiffens, she doesn’t enjoy the sight of them.
That’s unfortunate for her—and just more entertainment for me.
I place my hands on her shoulders, finally revealing my presence. She opens her mouth to release a shrill scream—I slam my palm over her mouth before she can.
“Not yet, Little Bird,” I murmur. “You’ll be screaming plenty tonight, but not yet.”
Chapter Sixteen
Lyra
Terror grips me by my bones. Every muscle stiffens. Every molecule of my being freezes, then breaks out into action.
I know that voice—it’s Killian’s. And, if he’s broken into my apartment, he must be here to kill me.
I scream into his palm. I start fighting, writhing,desperatelyattempting to break away from him and bolt to the door, but he bands one strong arm around my waist and wraps his hand around my throat, squeezing until any noise I try to release gets trapped in my vocal chords.
I’m more terrified than I’ve ever been before. I’m certain that he’s going to rape and kill me, and probably dispose of my body in a ditch somewhere. Tears of sheer horror swim in my eyes.
“If you want me to let you breathe, you better not make a single fucking sound,” Killian says, harshly. Any façade of civility has fallen away, revealing the beast that lives inside of him. His voice is flat, dissonant, empty. It’s terrifying.
He gradually releases the pressure on my neck, but keeps holding me. I know Ishouldscream, but I can’t seem to make my mouth move and summon the noise. Terror has reduced me to muteness.
“You’ve been averybad girl,” Killian rumbles. “I hear you met with Rhea. That is a shitty move on your part, Lyra. Do you want to know how I found out?”
I don’t respond.
“An associate of mine nearly broke down the door to my office and demanded I get rid of you.”
A shiver settles into my bones. Heishere to kill me.
“Please,” I whisper. “Please, I’m sorry—”
“No, you’re not—yet. But I can guarantee you will be.” His head dips down, lips running up the column of my neck. A single tear rolls down my cheek. He gathers it with his thumb, and I hear him suck it into his mouth.
Bile churns my stomach. He’s the worst kind of sociopath—narcissist—whateverthis man is. And the surety that I’m going to die tonight is nearly enough to undo me.
“Please,” I sob again. “Please,Killian. I’m sorry. I’m—”
“Shut the fuck up and walk over to the bed,” he growls.
The bed…mybed, which is currently covered in a variety of implements that horrify me. Chains, neatly bundled ropes, bars with cuffs attached to them, a ballgag,floggers, whips,knives,toys I don’t even have names for… he’s going to torture me to death.
“Please.” My voice is as wobbly as the tears streaming down my cheeks. “Don’t.”
“Now, Lyra, or this is going to getso muchworse for you.”
Making me take a march to my own demise is as cruel as making me dig my grave. I know that I can’t outrun Killian—he stands between me and the front door, which means I can’t escape without getting past him. I couldn’t get past him at my very best, but right now—shaking like a leaf, weak—I don’t stand even the slightestchance.
Nevertheless, I turn around. I catch Killian’s gaze and try to find some sympathy in it. Try to search for something to mark him as human.
All I see is darkness, set alight byexcitement. He’s eagerly anticipating killing me.
I do something impulsive, something spur-of-the-moment. A last ditch effort to make him reconsider ending my life. I rise up on my toes, fist his shirt, and press my lips to his. If kissing him saves my life, I’ll do it all day long.
