Page 73 of Magic of Sins

“You know, Jared, I almost feel sorry for you. I know I said I abhor violence. But I’m afraid that can’t be said about the woman standing next to me.”

I take a deep breath. Now comes my part in tonight’s performance, and I don’t know if I’m ready to go through with it.

Think about everything Jared did to you,I remind myself.

My hand trembles a little as I reach for the bowl of strawberries on the small table next to me. I take a plump, redpiece of fruit and turn it in my fingers. All the while, I’m aware of fifty pairs of curious eyes resting on me as I leisurely strut over to Jared on my gold pumps.

Caden and I have practiced this—every single one of my steps, every gesture.You can’t make any mistakes,he warned me.These people don’t forgive any show of weakness.

And so I throw my head back, laughing, and pretend to enjoy the spotlight.

Jared stops squirming and eyes me suspiciously. “What is this?”

I slowly run the tip of the strawberry over my bottom lip.

“Remember the first time we met, Jared? You couldn’t get enough of this. I wonder if that’s still the case.”

Inside, I’m shaking. It takes all my courage to step off the stage and take the last few steps before stopping in front of Jared. Choi has wrestled him to his knees in the meantime. He forces him to open his mouth and gives me an imperceptible nod.

I can’t do this.

Everything in me revolts against starting the final act of this cruel play. It feels like I’m crossing a line, and there’s no turning back after this.

Yes, you can do it. You can and you will. He deserves it. Think about Ava. She’d still be alive if he hadn’t…

I stuff the strawberry into Jared’s mouth. He lets out a gagging sound as Choi forces him to close his lips. Red juice runs down Jared’s chin and he swallows.

“You bitch!” he chokes out.

His eyes are wide with horror. This is how I must have looked when he did the same thing to me back in the Crime and Punishment.

The thought incites my anger. I taste the sweetness of the strawberry on my tongue, find the thread that amplifies Jared’sdesire for more, and roughly tug on it. Jared groans as I saunter back to the bowl of strawberries.

“You want another one?” I ask sweetly.

Jared nods eagerly.

I have a firm grip on his mind now. It’s a heady feeling that prickles through my veins. It’s intoxicating. I’m beginning to understand why sin mages feed on others even though they don’t need to. It’s the power they crave. The certainty of bringing another person completely under their control.

“Kneel before your queen!” I command.

Choi lets go of Jared, who crawls over to me on his knees.

“Lower!”

Jared’s forehead touches the ground at my feet. The crowd laughs uncomfortably. No one stops me, no one rushes to his aid. I probably have Caden’s threat to thank for that. I toss Jared a strawberry, like I would a treat to a dog, and he shoves it greedily into his mouth. Saliva drips from his lips.

“You want more?” I ask.

What comes out of Jared’s throat sounds like an actual whimper.

That’s disgusting.I’mdisgusting.

For a moment, it’s as if I’m outside of my body, looking down at the scene. I see myself towering over Jared like a mistress before her slave, I see the cold look in my eyes, my mouth twisted from anger and disgust, and I recoil from myself.

From what I am.

From what I’m doing.

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