Page 107 of Carnival Mayhem

“How long until Remy can check?” I ask Nash.

“Twenty minutes,” he replies, tucking his phone away. “He was already in the area.”

I slide my hand along Flora’s back as she works. “Hear that, Marcus? Twenty minutes to pray you’re telling the truth.”

Marcus’s whimpers fill the space between us. His eyes dart frantically between us, probably wondering which of us will hurthim next. My money’s on Flora—she’s been particularly creative today.

Nash picks up a pair of pliers and turns them over. “Shall we pass the time productively?”

I watch Flora’s fingers trail across Marcus’s chest, each touch precise and methodical. Her work sends shivers down my spine. Nash stands behind her, his eyes dark with appreciation for her technique.

Marcus screams again as Flora applies pressure to a particularly sensitive spot. The sound echoes through the warehouse, mixing with the hum of anticipation between us.

“You have such natural talent,” Nash whispers to Flora, his voice thick with admiration. His hand finds her waist, steadying her as she works.

I step closer, drawn by the electricity crackling between us. The familiar darkness rises within me, matching the shadows in their eyes. We’re broken in all the same ways, fitting together like jagged pieces of the same puzzle.

Flora looks up at me, her chest heaving with exertion. “Should we try something new?” she asks, gesturing to the array of tools before us.

Nash selects a particularly wicked-looking instrument. “I think this might elicit the response we’re looking for.”

The anticipation builds as we work in perfect synchronization. Each gasp and plea from Marcus only intensifies our connection. We move like dancers in a macabre ballet, our bodies gravitating toward each other as we circle our victim.

“Ten more minutes,” Nash reminds us, his voice husky. His hand brushes mine as we reach for the same tool, sending electricity through my arm.

Flora’s movements become more fluid and more confident. Her power transforms her, and I can’t tear my eyes away. Nash watches her, too, his breathing shallow and quick.

Marcus’s suffering becomes background noise to the symphony of our shared darkness. We’re drawn together by something primal and dangerous that normal people would never understand.

But we understand each other perfectly.

I check my phone, which buzzes with Remy’s message. “He was telling the truth. Money’s all there.”

Nash’s hand tightens on Flora’s waist. “Well, Marcus, it looks like you get to make a choice.”

Marcus sags in relief, blood dripping from his various wounds. “Please... please just let me go. I won’t say anything.”

I crouch in front of him, gripping his chin. “That’s not one of the options.” His eyes widen as I continue. “Here’s what you get to choose from: we can drag this out, make it slow and painful until you’re begging for death. Or we can make it quick.”

Flora steps forward, her fingers trailing down my arm. “There is a third option.”

I glance at her, seeing that familiar dark gleam in her eyes. Nash moves closer, understanding immediately what she’s suggesting.

“You can watch us fuck each other while you bleed out,” I tell Marcus. “Consider it a final show before the curtain falls.”

Marcus’s face contorts in confusion and terror. “You’re all insane.”

“That’s not an answer,” Nash says, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that makes my cock twitch. “Choose.”

Marcus looks between the three of us, tears mixing with blood on his cheeks. “Just... just make it quick. Please.”

“Let’s give our guest what he wants,” Flora says, stepping closer to Marcus. Her eyes shine with a mix of excitement and cruelty.

Nash asks, “You want the honors, little bird?”

She nods, a wild smile playing on her lips. The rush of anticipation hits me like a drug as I watch her step closer to Marcus. Her gaze meets mine, and I see the feral desire burning in her eyes. She takes the knife from Nash, positioning herself in front of Marcus.

In one smooth, graceful movement, she slashes the blade across Marcus’s throat. Blood sprays across her face and chest, and her eyes close in ecstasy at the sensation.

---