Page 16 of Knot Their Soldier: Part Three

"You’re not her," I whisper, and the Beta beneath me starts crying harder.

'Could you stop tormenting my killer for a moment and talk to me? Blaise?'

"Blaise isn't here right now, sweetheart."

The Beta woman's eyes somehow go even wider, and her sobbing amplifies. Apparently, an assailant talking to themselves is scarier than any slice of my blade.

Interesting.

I'll make a note of that for next time. And there will be a next time. There is no reason for me to behave, to be good, to rein myself in.

He's gone.

She's gone.

Dead.

Murdered.

‘Blaze,’ the voice says, softer this time.

My name in her mouth ruins me.

Blaze.

Not Blaise.

Me.

It throws me off my game, and my eyes flutter in confusion. I can’t make sense of why her voice sounds warm instead of horrified.

I know she said she loved me as much as Blaise, but I never truly believed her. I thought she tolerated me because I came attached to the sweeter half of us. Because loving him meant putting up with me.

But she says my name like I’m someone she wants.

Like she came looking for me on purpose.

Fuck, I need to focus.

I shake my head, trying to knock the voice loose, but it keeps rattling around inside my skull with her exact tone, attitude, and impossible light.

"You’re not her," I snap. "My Sparkles is dead. She’s dead."

‘Yeah, about that. I’m not.’

My breath catches in a mangled, ugly sound that makes the Beta flinch beneath me.

The lie stings.

I don't believe it.

I don't.

But I want to.

"Shut up," I grit out. "Shut up, shut up."

I turn back to my victim because looking at her is easier than listening. Her blood is real and so is her fear.