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My tail finds its way around her throat, and she releases another horrified scream that’s quickly cut off as I tighten my grip on her.

“Which is why I’m going to be kind and give you a verbal warning. You’re going to leave Gideon alone.Forever.No moreletters, stalking, no more contact in any capacity. Or I will personally ensure that the current incarnation of your mortal life will come to an abrupt end.”

Tears stream down Seraphine’s face, and for the first time in my life, I find myself entirely immune to someone else’s plight. We’ve both been through hell, and it doesn’t give either of us the excuse to perpetuate the cruelty or chaos.

“Do you understand?”

Seraphine’s expression hardens, but she eventually gives a weak nod, and I remove my tail from her throat. She coughs wildly, wheezing to catch her breath.

Heaving a sigh, I wait for her to recover as I examine my nails for any wayward cuticles.

“Now, convince me that you’re sorry. Make me believe that you’ll never torment another soul, human or otherwise.”

Seraphine rubs at her throat in disbelief.

“But… how?”

Dropping my hand, I straighten, summoning all the imperious, aristocratic poise a duchess such as me should carry, but that I know I never have, I quirk a brow at her.

“Begging sounds like a good place to begin.”

Seraphine’s brows pinch. “I’m sorry?”

Rolling my eyes, my impatience grows. “Liar.”

She’s clearly not scared enough.

My mind summons the image of a fearsome visage as I will a glamour over my features. A mouthful of sharp teeth, elongated claws, an extra foot in height, exaggerated muscles. It’s nothing like my true form, but clearly this woman needs some more inspiration. Seraphine’s jaw unhinges, and her head tips back as my height nears the ceiling. The feat syphons a little more of my magic, but I’m in too deep to stop now.

My voice takes on an otherworldly timbre–sounding like one and many voices all at once. How I would imagine souls in Hell might wail for mercy from Azrael.

Her eyes are comically rounded, and she lets out an involuntary squeak as my lips part to reveal the many lethal fangs now lining my mouth.

“Let’s try that again, shall we?”

With satisfying swiftness,Seraphine drops to her knees, hands raised in a prayer position, and immediately begins to utter numerous apologies–a great number of which are irrelevant to Gideon–confessing her many sins and begging for forgiveness as she weeps. Long moments pass, and I find myself growing increasingly impatient.

I could be in bed with Gideon right now.

“Enough.”

Seraphine’s head snaps up, her confession cut short.

However, I still feel like simply begging is not nearly sufficient.

“How about an offering?”

When she hesitates, I run my tongue over my sharpened teeth.

“You know… A life, flesh, blood, that sort of thing.”

I will never forget the particular shade of alabaster that the pallor of her skin turns.

“You’ve got ten fingers. Surely, you don’t needallof them.”

At that, her complexion takes on a blue hue, even beneath the strange orange-y tint on her skin. I have no intention of actually maiming her, but a little extra encouragement can’t help. After all, I wantherto offer it. Shrinking back down to my normal size, I take her hands in mine and the action makes my fucking skin crawl.

“I’m thinking thumb or ring finger. Do you have a preference?”