Page 196 of Awakened by Sin

A chill ran down her spine. Entertainment in the pit?

Lucifer stepped back from the painting. “What do you think?”

She couldn’t focus on the painting, not when her life was at stake. “Beautiful.”

“There’s nothing better than painting with fresh blood.”

That got her attention. Her stomach dipped as she stared at his dripping hand. “Fresh blood?”

He nodded to a wooden bowl full of what she assumed was red paint. “It has the best consistency when it’s still warm.”

She retched, and he laughed.

“I wouldn’t think a woman who fights like you has a weak stomach.”

Kill to survive? Yes. Play with blood and organs or dead bodies? Hell fucking no.

Lucifer approached. Her eyes were riveted to his hands. Why didn’t he wash it off? How could he stand to have someone’s lifeblood staining his hands? How could he stand topaintwith it? This was a new level of morbid.

“What’s your story, Carmen?”

“Story?” On his forearm, the blood had already dried and was starting to flake. Her stomach rocked.

“You fight like someone with nothing to lose.”

Because she had nothing to lose. He stood over her. She tried to zero in on the best place to hit, but all the best parts were higher up, where she couldn’t reach. If he was telling the truth, piercing his dick with the compass wouldn’t incapacitate him for long, and besides, he was built like a tree. Everything about him was supersized. Hell.

“I didn’t realize so many of you above ground have such a penchant for violence. Or is it just the women around Gavin? You’re quite skilled in hand-to-hand combat, and I appreciate your creativity during an attack. If I hadn’t seen you in action, my first night above ground would have been a waste of time.”

What was she supposed to say? You’re welcome?

“Where’s the rage coming from?”

She jerked. “What?”

He knelt beside the bed, braced his elbows on the mattress, and stared at her as if she would start reading a bedtime story.

“That chip on your shoulder is what intrigues me the most. It’s what’s driving you, what gives you strength. It’s common in men, not so much in women.” He paused. “So what is it? Abuse? Rape? Infidelity?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You shouldn’t tease me. I’m not a patient man.”

He didn’t move, but the hairs on the nape of her neck rose. He still had that smile on his face, but his eyes were frighteningly clinical. He wasn’t looking at her as a woman or even a human being, but a toy. And if that toy didn’t perform … “I lost my husband. He was murdered by Steven Vega.”

“Years ago.”

His dismissive tone made her feel homicidal. She tightened her hold on the compass. “It doesn’t matter how long ago it was.”

Lucifer shook his head. “Humans.”

She couldn’t tell if he was disgusted or amused. “You act like you’re not one. Oh, wait. You’re right. The explains a lot.”

He shrugged. “I don’t possess the emotions others have.”

“No shit.”

“I’m interested in a person’s attachment to another like Gavin’s for Lyla and yours to this husband who has been dead for years. I don’t get it.”

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