Page 98 of Buried Beneath Sin

I study the older woman she points to. Starr Girl is right, I never would’ve guessed this woman looked like a swollen eggplant. Her hand points to a middle-aged gentleman next.

“Mr. McCue fell off his ladder onto the fence that separated his yard from his neighbor's. But his wrought iron fence had spikes. Two of those spikes went through his skull. One came out through his eye and the other through his mouth, tearing his lip. Even if you stepped up real close, you'd never be able to tell what he went through.” She sighs, the sound strangely content given the topic. “He’s perfect.”

I study her work a moment longer. “I can't tell what any of these people died from. These are all your doing?”

Starr Girl hums, pleased by my accidental compliment. “Yes.”

“I'm actually impressed,” I nod, though she can't see it with her back facing me. “Sagan was mulling around this place for months and never brought me fun little treats like these pictures. I figured you just threw bodies in the firepit or dumped them in the ground.”

She shakes her head a little, her brows pinching together in thought. “We haven't buried anyone in the cemetery here in... Well, a while. Longer than I can remember. Most of the deceased get buried elsewhere.”

“You're good with makeup—maybe I'll have you teach me how to do some blending. I can never get it right.”

“You don't need makeup.”

Immediately, I bristle. What does she mean by that? Because I was born with a dick, I don't get to look nice?

“And why the fuck not?” I snarl, losing my temper.

Starr Girl has the nerve to scoff as she turns to look over her shoulder at me.

“Because you'reyou,Knox.” She chuckles before turning her back on me. “You don't need it. Your skin is flawless as it is.Even with the right blending you'd just be masking your natural beauty?—”

My arm comes around her neck, and I yank her toward me before she can finish her sentence. Her screech is cut off as my arm tightens.

“Stop fucking with me, Starr Girl,” I snarl into her ear.

“Get off me!” She thrashes around, but I'm stronger than her, and when I tug her back, she becomes off balance. “Knox!”

“Do you think I'm fuckingstupid?” I demand. “That I'm a sideshow attraction you can stare at and coo over like a fucking doll? I know I'm not conventional, and I know you think you're being cute, but I see through you, Starr Girl. I know what you really think of me. You small-minded, piece of shit, little girl. You're about to learn to never fucking stare at me again, you got that? Mind your own fucking business if you can't respect me.”

She struggles, trying to kick back and use her elbows, but I've played this game too many times. I know how to maneuver out of the way without losing my grip on my chokehold.

“I don't know what you're talking about, Knox!” she gasps out. “I'm not lying to you! Idothink you're beautiful! And I told you I was sorry, I won't peek in on you ever again. I thought you were in trouble!”

As if I could believe such a lie. She thoughtIwas in trouble? Me? Doesn't she get who she's dealing with?

“I can take care of myself,” I hiss, reaching up with my other hand. “Now, get ready to visit hell, Starr Girl.”

“Please, no, Knox.Please!”

Her whimpers and pleas don't sway me, just like with all the others who'd come before her. She should count her lucky stars that she'll live to see another day, unlike the rest of the people who screamed the same words at me. Throwing my weight forward, I slam Beatrix down onto her desk—face first—and pinher beneath me. I reach up and squeeze the pressure points behind her neck.

Immediately, she goes slack.

With a breathless laugh, I heave her body up and over my shoulder. Time to get to work.

37

BEATRIX

It's hot and stuffy.

That's the first thing I notice as I come to. Sweat is trickling between my breasts and down my temple. I hate sweating. Where am I that it's so hot? The house has a nasty draft this time of year, there's no way the ancient heater is beating it back. It also stinks. Horribly. Like something died and has been rotting for too long. My stomach revolts and I choke on a gag. The movement causes my head to shift, making me aware of the ache in my neck. Now that I'm aware of the throbbing, it becomes too annoying to ignore. A groan slips past my lips. Reaching up, I attempt to rub the ache away. Only, as I do, my elbow hits something hard just above me.

What the...?

Slowly, my eyelids flutter open. My vision is blurry at first, but I make out a strange, warm glow of lights close to my face. The yellowish hue is strange and uncomfortable. Where am I? I blink rapidly to clear my vision. As it clears, the space around me comes into focus.

---