Page 24 of Chaos
But, Malice, you say. Malice, you’re Pestilence. You can’t possibly control people’s minds. To which I’d reply, it’s called mentalhealthfor a reason, darling. I did warn you I was the most impressive horseman. Best not to ever underestimate me or my reach.
“Turn in a circle three times.”
She did.
“Hop on one foot until I tell you to stop.”
She did.
“Pat your head and rub your stomach while reciting the alphabet.”
She continued hopping as she followed orders.
“Stop.”
Merri went still and silent.
“Now, tell me the truth. Do you fear me?”
“No.”
That both pleased and surprised me.
“How do you feel?”
“I want you.”
Interesting. Very interesting.
“Just me?”
“No. I want all of you.”
“Why? Because you’re hungry and we’re your only viable food sources?”
She blinked a few times, then licked her lower lip. “I... don’t know.”
Was that hesitation because she was finally catching on or because she truly didn’t have an answer for me?
Only one way to find out.
“Strip.”
Merri’s cheeks flamed red as she reached for the bottom of her sports bra.
“Stop,” I said before she could actually remove anything.
So she still didn’t have a clue how to resist my influence. Which wasn’t surprising. One rarely learned how to swim by being dropped in a body of water and left to their own devices.
I retracted from her so fast she swayed on her feet.
“You were in my head,” she murmured. “I couldn’t even tell until my body started moving without my permission.”
“Yes. You have absolutely no protective barriers. You’re ripe for plucking.”
She looked a bit peaked.
“Sit,” I ordered softly, making it clear that this was a suggestion.
