Page 101 of Lethal King

Just a few steps closer, kitten.

I try to concentrate fully on her as she silently obeys my wishes. But even as she complies, something else comes rushing out from the back of my mind.

Gabriel.

Just the mere mention of his name brings me back to our discussion in the library.

He told me all about Rozalia. About her tragic and brutal past. About her nightmares. And about her dreams.

He wasn’t lying when he said it would change how I saw the Black Cat even if I’m trying to treat her the same way I always have.

With contempt.

But Gabriel was right. She’s not who I thought she was. Not as cold or heartless. And not as impenetrable either. She’s far more damaged than I could have ever imagined. More fragile.

Last night, I went to bed dreaming about her.

This morning, I woke up with the most dangerous thought I’ve ever had.

I can fix her.

But only after I break her.

That’s the mindset I brought into our meeting at the warehouse. Oh, how quickly I lost sight of that desire. When she didn’t show up, my empathy was devoured—replaced by something far more primal.

I was pissed, and my original instincts returned.

All I wanted was to hunt again.

Not fix. Or break. Or mold.

Just hunt.

But now she’s right in front of me again.

I’ve caught up to her.

AND I can’t help but remember the brutal past Gabriel revealed to me. The horror of it.

The hope.

Rozalia doesn’t want to get married.

And neither do I.

Maybe, just maybe, we can chase each other forever.

Or maybe, she’s already decided to marry someone else.

“Roz. Stop!” Tytus’ roar breaks me out of my trance.

But Rozalia isn’t listening. The Black Cat is slowly approaching me, just like I want. Her unsteady feet curl into the ground as her desperate eyes search for what I’ve promised.

A cure for her captivity.

“I can fix you,” I whisper, taking another soft step backward.

“Give it to me,” she rasps. “I know you have it.”