Page 84 of Flock This

My gaze flickered to the window, a scrap of newspaper hanging down.

Maybe…

“I’ll have you before you ever reach it,” he warned, an excitement in his voice all but begging me to try.

And when stuck between no chance and low chance, people might as well go for the low. For that reason, I bolted to the side, reaching for that hanging scrap of newspaper. One good yank could dislodge it, then the sunlight could offer me at least a little breathing room.

Except, just as he’d claimed, I didn’t come close to the window before Iglesia wrapped an arm around my throat from behind, pinning me to his chest, making it clear that no amount of struggling would help. His breath tickled my ear, sickly-sweet like all vampires, and for some twisted reason, it made me miss Kelvin.

I recalled the way he’d touched me, the gentle stroking of his hands over my skin, the way he’d touched me as if he cherished me.

Now was so not the time for such fantasies—imagine my horror if this asshole thought he’d inspired that reaction in me.

He moved his arm and grasped my jawline in his hand, the threat clear. He could jerk that hand and snap my neck, and even my healing couldn’t overcome that. “I’ll make it quick.”

“How nice.”

“Even now, at the end, you can’t stop from making jokes, can you? Why is that? Is it because you’re so afraid that the only way you can come to terms with it is to laugh, to make it lighthearted or your brain couldn’t handle the truth? That is almost endearing. I bet you’re the type to hide everything unpleasant behind a smile and a joke, too terrified to see the world for what it is and to see yourself for the tiny little speck lost in such a large, scary ocean.”

“Let’s skip the monologuing, huh? I’m already going to die—no reason to torture me first.”

“Fair enough. I wish we had more time, but oh well.” He tightened his grip.

I closed my eyes, wondering if I was supposed to take this time to apologize for my screw-ups. That seemed like it would take a hell of a lot longer than I actually had left, however. Was this when I needed to get right with God? What God, though? The Old Ones that the Spirits worshipped? Something new age? Just vibes?

Fuck, I’d be more likely to worship my vibrator than any of the other. At least it had done something worth honoring.

Just as Iglesia tensed, however, the moment shattered beneath the ringing of a phone.

He sighed, grabbing his phone with the hand not on my jaw, holding me easily with just the one.

When he glanced at the screen, he froze. I couldn’t see it from my position, but clearly he wasn’t thrilled by the caller.

He answered, then put the phone to his ear. The volume was low enough I couldn’t catch the other side of the conversation.

“Hello? Yes, I heard from him. He approved her execution. No, not yet.” He paused, that tension not leaving his body.

It didn’t seem like he was a fan of the direction of that talk.

“But, sir, that doesn’t—” The quick silence from Iglesia said the other person had cut him off. “Sure. I understand.” He paused again, his body stiffening more. Fuck, I could read the body language of someone being threatened—talk about universal. “Yes. I understand. I will do that now.” He shifted the phone away then pressed the End button and slid the phone into his pocket.

He tightened his hand once more, as though he couldn’t stop himself from flexing, before releasing me.

I stumbled forward, the withdrawal so fast that I struggled to catch my balance. I twisted, wanting to keep him in front of me, but he’d turned his back on me. Iglesia headed to the front door, yanking it open while remaining behind it and away from any stray light beams that poured in.

I didn’t move. It felt like a trap, like a beast playing games with its prey.

“You don’t want to go?”

“Why are you letting me go?” No, stupid! Don’t ask that! I knew it was a foolish question, but I couldn’t stop myself from asking it. It made no sense.

“Because I was told to.”

“You said your boss told you to kill me. Did he change his mind?”

“Are you really going to interrogate me over why I’m not going to kill you?” He shook his head. “I wonder if there is any point in releasing you. Clearly, you’re just going to end up getting yourself killed again. It seems a waste. If nothing else, I could make it quick and painless.”

“So why aren’t you?”

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