Page 22 of The Secrets of a Sin

“Arsen, that’s enough.” Cora demands as my anger grows inside my belly, curling into hate for her that ignites my skin. Slamming my palm onto the wood of the podium, I glare into her chocolate eyes.

“I didn’t ask for your god damn input, Welch!” I growl, feeling any sort of physical attraction towards her fizzling out. Her form jerks back in surprise as Father Henry rests his hand on her shoulder. His lips move slowly and quietly so that only she can hear and register the words causing her body to slacken and relax.

“Any day now, Father.”

His nostrils flare as he exhales and closes his eyes briefly. “I think what you’re going through right now…”

Dropping my head, I should have known he was going to deflect with some bullshit. A loud chuckle falls out of my mouth, interrupting Father as his words die from his lips. Lifting my head slightly, I hover my gaze over the girls who appear either stunned by what's transpiring or scared. Either or both reactions caused the emptiness of my heart to fill with their panicked faces and nauseated stares.

Their revulsion fueled me, as well as their fear.

“You are all poisoned by this school." I spat, giving them all my eyes as my stare lingers over the crowd. "You can hide behind your rosaries and pleated skirts all you want, but just know a fucking storm is coming. And no matter how many times you get on your knees and pray to God for some sort of absolution, I’ll find out who you are. Because wherever there's a God, there's a fucking devil lurking in the shadows.”

My message was loud and clear to every person in this room as their gasps of horror gave me confirmation. I let their terror flood my insides as if it was my source of nutrients and let my eyes wickedly devour each and every one of them.

“It’s time for you to leave now, Mr. Hale.” Father Henry demands in a shaky voice and eyes void of any emotions. Tucking the knife securely back into my pocket, I glimpse at the remembrance flowers one last time before grinning back at Father.

I was the fucking devil in disguise they blindly let taint the holy soil of St. Catherine's. I was the wretched soul who wasn’t going to surrender until this ended in a god damn bloodbath.

Whoever you are, I’m fucking coming for you.

6

ARSEN

Surely, you’d think they’d at least escort me off school property after what happened, but the reputable St. Catherine’s continued to surprise me with their boldness. No one was sent to confirm that I vacated the premises after storming out of the church, and now here I stood, just beyond the sight where Phoebe was found lying in the middle of the courtyard. Cradling a cigarette to my mouth, I inhale the thick toxins before letting the stick fall to the ground.

“Are you okay?” The fucking voice that’s been haunting me for days quietly asks from behind me. I can’t risk turning around because I knew if I did, I’d be bewitched by those green irises once again. So instead, I ignore her presence as if she isn't there but hearing her quiet footsteps approach me causes my body to stiffen.

“Go away.” I growl feeling her warmth directly at my back now. She was so close that if I leaned back slightly, our bodies would touch.

“No.” She snaps, causing a low laugh to fall out of my mouth. I knew she had a wicked tongue on her, but all I saw was a mouth that desperately needed to be filled with something.

And that something was my cock.

“Quit being an ass for once and listen to me.” She snarls softly under her breath, making my lips twitch upwards. “I want to help you.”

Spinning around, I meet her emerald eyes that widen almost immediately as she notices just how close we really are. I could smell her hunger seeping through her pores and sense the slight hitch of her breath as I lowered my gaze to the curve of her neck. Her black blazer covered her curves well, but underneath all that ugly maroon plaid and knee-high socks, she had the body of a vixen. “Yah? And why’s that?” I take a small step towards her, but she retreats further away. “What changed your mind?” I watch in intrigue as her body trembles from my eyes alone, wondering if she was this nervous in front of everyone she was around or if it was just me.

“I think you’re right.” She raises her chin with a glint of sadness in her leafy eyes.

Glancing around us like she’s checking to see if anyone was around, she leisurely meets my stare. “I have to show you something.”

Slightly irritated and muddled, I indulge her. “Show me what?”

She peers at our surroundings once again, and I find it amusing that she’s worried about being seen with me. If she should be afraid of anyone, it should be me.

“It’s in my room.” She fiddles with the hem of her skirt, avoiding my eyes all together before cursing under her breath and nodding her head in the direction to her right. “Follow me.” She grunts roughly. “But hurry, I can’t be caught with you.”

Huh. Interesting.

“They tell you to stay away from me?” I can’t help but grin in hilarity at St. Catherine’s effort to keep her away from me. Even in the beginning, when she told me that she wouldn’t help, I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I had other forms of persuasion if “talking” didn’t work.

“Not in particular. I’m just…not allowed to be around the opposite sex.” Her cheeks reddened to a deep shade that made my dick stir and my blood heat. Normally, I wasn’t fond of timid women, but Charlotte was a whole other creature I had yet to discover. Her body's reaction to me was not of a virgin but of someone who craved rapture. Her exterior was wrapped in innocence, from her bare face down to the crucifix resting over her fabric-covered breasts. But her interior was what I was most interested in. I wanted to crawl inside her head and listen to her thoughts, figure out just what sent her heart into thundering chaos.

“Why’s that?” I question realizing that it most likely has something to do with the reason why she's here. I couldn’t give a fuck about what her issues were, but a small part of me was curious. How a seemingly flawless girl, on the outside, was sent to a school like this.

“None of your business.” Her throat contracts as she swallows angrily, only causing my interest to thicken. Running my eyes down her covered cleavage, I swipe my tongue over my bottom lip, wondering if she might taste as sweet as she looks. Under her ivory skin, I could make out a thick vein that trailed down her neck and disappeared under her shirt. My fingers twitched at my sides, feeling the sudden compulsion to run my digits over the flesh. I wanted to mark her with my mouth, use my teeth and relish in her blood until she was tainted.

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