Page 174 of I Will Mend You

Barrett shakes his head. “Hades Holding Company. I don’t know what kind of building it is or its whereabouts in Beaumont City. All I know is that it’s empty.”

Satisfied with the leads, I step back and sweep an arm towards Amethyst. “I’m going to start researching Hades Holdings. Feel free to mutilate them, but leave Seth for last.”

Amethyst nods, her pretty features twisting with malice. I take my phone from her and turn away, leaving the altar echoing with screams.

I would sit back and watch the show, but I have a sister to rescue.

EIGHTY-TWO

AMETHYST

As Xero leaves to investigate, I take a moment to steady my breath, my gaze locking onto Barrett and Seth. The fear in their eyes is satisfying, but it isn’t enough. They need to suffer—to feel the pain they inflicted upon me a thousandfold.

I approach the table of instruments, my fingers brushing over the cold metal of surgical equipment and knives. I pick up a scalpel, feeling its weight, imagining the way it will slice through flesh.

I turn to Barrett first, since his whimpers grate on my nerves. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

“What... what do you want?” he croaks, his voice thick with pain.

“You remember me, don’t you?”

He nods, his eyes streaming with fat tears. “Please, I’m sorry. I didn’t?—”

I silence him with a slap, the sound of skin hitting skin echoing in the hollow space. “Sorry doesn’t erase what you did.”

He flinches, his cheek reddening as his eyes widen with shock. His breath comes in ragged gasps, and he stammers, “I-I didn’t mean?—”

“Why did you do it? Why did you hurt me and the others?”

He whimpers.

I run the scalpel across his ribs, making him flinch. When he squeezes his eyes shut, I slice a line up his chest and over to the pulse thrumming in his throat. He shudders, his breath coming in shallow pants. He knows what’s coming.

“Tell me, Barrett,” I say, circling his hanging carcass. “How does it feel to be helpless?”

He sobs, his body shaking. “Please... I can tell you something important,” he says, his voice hoarse with desperation. “Just... just don’t kill me.”

“Speak,” I snap.

“I didn’t want to do any of this, you know.” He gulps. “I joined thinking it was just acting. When I got there and the girl died, it was too late. I became an accessory to murder.”

Seth snorts.

I tighten my lips, already sick of the bullshit. These second-rate predators only ever show regret when they’ve fallen out of favor with Delta. “Funny how you didn’t seem reluctant when you were joining in on all the fun at the asylum.”

“Dolly, I didn’t?—”

I cut him off with a slash to the face. “Don’t call me by that name!”

He chokes another sob.

Fury flares across my chest. I return to the table, snap on a pair of disposable gloves, and grab a serrated knife.

His eyes widen. “Wait. What are you?—-”

My fingers close in around his flaccid penis. Jerking hard, I saw it with my serrated knife. The screams ringing through my ears soothe my inner predator. Warm blood oozes overmy fingers, washing away a fraction of my trauma. Its metallic tang overwhelms my senses, leaving me light-headed. I slow my movements, making sure every cut is agonizing and precise.

Barrett jerks and spasms and twists toward Seth, trying to squirm away. This only makes me grip harder and stab the tip of my blade into his balls.

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