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I watch him watching me, refusing to move. He doesn’t get to say whatever he wants and make it happen. Who the hell does he even think he is bossing me around all the time?

Rhenn steps forward, putting himself close enough I can feel the heat of his body. “You smell like him.”

“Who?”

There’s a moment of silence as he looks me over. His stare is deep enough I can feel it in my bones, but I won’t back down. I am so sick of him thinking he has some sort of control over me. I’ve been used and talked down to all my life. I’ve faced bigger monsters than him and have come out the other side. If he thinks he has any say over what I do or don’t do, he can take that little knife of his and kindly go screw himself with it.

“I’m giving you the chance to wash it off yourself.” The tone he uses lets me know he’s trying his best to be patient. I’m surprised by that, but not enough to listen.

“And if I don’t?”

“I’ll do it for you,” he answers simply.

“What makes you think I won’t go back inside and put more on?”

Rhenn looks down at the pendant around my neck, running his thumb over the thin chain. “Then we’ll do this again.” He moves to take a seat beside where I stand, letting his focus fall to the water. “I’ve got all night.”

The thought to run crosses me. He’s fast. So am I, and he’s clearly expecting that I won’t. My feet don’t move though. Instead, I sigh, falling to my knees. I need to clean the mystery liquid off anyway.

The water from the pool is cool. It surprises me no one is out here using it. I cup the liquid between my hands, splashing it over my face, scrubbing everywhere that feels sticky. Streaks of black coat the tips of my fingers. I can see in my reflection the charcoal smears that circle my eyes, masking my features like messy war paint.

“Better?” I ask as I glance to Rhenn, making sure to keep my voice sarcastic.

His eyes flash between mine, the smallest hint of a grin crossing his normally hard-set lips at my appearance. “Much.”

“Great. Can I go back inside now?”

“Are you going to behave?” I shake my head, and his eyes travel down my face, stopping when they reach my parted lips. “Of course you’re not.” Rhenn moves closer, forcing all the saliva to dry in my throat. “You never behave, do you?” I don’t answer. I can’t. Not with how paralyzingly near he is. “Right now, though,” Rhenn whispers, bringing his mouth close to mine, “you’re being such a good girl for me.”

My thighs clench impulsively at his low tone. “Because I washed the makeup off?” The question barely makes it past my lips. It’s like I’m falling. Every part of me is hyperaware of his proximity.

“Because I can hear how fast your heart is beating.” His hand brushes over my chest, causing it to pound even harder. A smile curves across his lips, letting me know he can feel the pulsing the same way his overly trained ears can hear it. “It always drums for me.”

“It’s only out of fear that you’re going to bite me.” I swallow, but don’t pull away.

“I do enjoy biting you.” Rhenn comes impossibly closer, his breath fanning over my still parted lips. “I like the way you pretend to fight me when I do.”

My eyes close, and I breathe in deeply. “Rhenn…”

“Yes?” he answers, so quietly.

“Please don’t call me that.”

“Call you what?” My pulse spikes again, this time leaving a horrible weight in my chest. I feel my stomach twist even before he says it… “A good girl?”

I nod, expecting him to make a joke out of it, telling me I’m a bad one instead, or even repeating the words just to spite me. If he does, I don’t think I’ll be able to sit here without falling over. The tears will break through and I will be lost yet again to the horrible memories.

Please don’t call me that…

He takes my pendant between his fingers, twirling it the same way I do. “Okay.”

My eyes flick open at his response, barely more than a whisper. There’s something akin to sympathy shining through his deep grays, placing a crease between his brows, like he can actually see the demons gripping my chest, trying yet again to drown me.

A minute passes, maybe two. His hand is there, holding the side of my face, stroking the contour of my cheek. It allows me to breathe, clearing the pathway of darkness inside me.

“Vix…” This time, I lean in, needing more. I am so, so weak. This only proves it. I just can’t help feeling closer to whole when we’re like this. Not fighting. Hearts beating. Silently understanding.

But then his hand falls and he grabs my wrist. “Get up,” Rhenn tells me, rising to his feet and tugging me with him.