Page 98 of Fang Fatale

He laughs—a broken, desperate sound.

"Home?" he croaks. "You're coming with me."

"No."

The single word lands harder than any punch.

"You don't understand," he insists. "I'm trying to protect you."

"I know."

"You belong with me."

She shakes her head.

"No."

He points at me with a trembling hand.

"He's a monster."

"I know."

"He'll kill you."

She looks at me.

Really looks at me.

Then back at Leland.

"I know exactly what he is."

She slips her hand into mine.

"And he has never once tried to own me."

Silence.

Leland stares at our joined hands as though they make no sense.

That's the tragedy, really.

He loved Birdie the only way he knew how.

Like property.

The tide reaches his shoes.

Then his knees.

Then, slowly, it takes the rest.

I don't watch him drown.

I don't need to.

He's been gone for much longer than tonight.