A Dream of Fate & Flesh (Courts of Malice #2)

28. She Doesn’t Deserve a Monster

twenty-eight

She Doesn’t Deserve a Monster

Rainer

A s the madness takes hold, my body trembles uncontrollably. The thumping in my head grows louder, drowning out any rational thought.

I bang the back of my head against the stone in sync with the girl’s heartbeat.

Thump .

Thump .

Thump .

Her presence and her pulsating heartbeat stoke the fire within me. It’s irresistible—maddening.

She notices me staring, and her pulse picks up, the thuds increasing in intensity. My senses sharpen, honing in on the rhythm.

Her carotid artery beckons me, throbbing with invitation.

My teeth ache with a primal hunger, elongating and sharpening, preparing for the feast that beckons.

No .

No.

No.

Fighting the urge, I burrow my head in my arms, desperate to block out the temptation. But the pain consumes me. The gnawing sensation in my stomach grows, spreading throughout my entire body. It feels like I’m burning alive from the inside.

But the only thing that can put out the fire is blood.

Sweat beads on my forehead, my skin flushed with the intensity of the inferno.

The squeaky wheel of the meal cart goes by. It doesn’t stop at our cell, not even for the girl.

They must know that at this point, I’d steal her meal to quell the food hunger and prolong the bloodlust.

But without food—with only enough water for survival—and without adequate rest, the bloodlust pulls at me.

It’s just a taste .

The scent of human blood is rich and sweet, but pleasantly so. Not overpowering like fae blood.

My mouth waters. I clamp my jaw shut, desperate to fight the bloodlust.

I don’t want to be a monster.

I don’t want it to win.

I don’t want everyone to be right about me.

I bite my bottom lip, drawing blood. It’s too bad my own blood doesn’t serve me the way others’ does. I’d gladly draw every liter from my veins to spare the innocent from my wrath.

My vision flickers, and I shut my eyes, picturing Alessia’s kind face.

My sweet, sweet rose.

She deserves better—she doesn’t deserve a monster.