Page 73 of Bite The Terror That Feeds

“Because they lied to her.”

Viper stilled in the doorway before he joined me in the other armchair. “What do you mean?”

“She seemed shocked by the accusation that the Ethereal sickened everyone.”

“She’s supposed to deny the accusation.”

“But this seemed genuine.”

“You don’t know her, Cobra.”

“Fighting is like fucking. I know her well enough now.”

Viper slouched in the chair, like he was tired and hadn’t gone to bed yet.

“And then I told her the Ethereal weren’t any different from us, that they must do something to retain their immortality. She seemed disturbed by that.”

“We know the Ethereal are responsible for the sickness because Ellasara admitted it, but we don’t know this for certain. And we probably never will.”

“But her reaction was the same.”

“What’s your point?”

“They sent her to kill us, but they lie to her.”

Viper propped his chin on his closed knuckles. “What does that matter?”

“Pretty barbaric, don’t you think? Send someone to do your dirty work when they don’t have the whole story.”

“You better not pity our prisoner, Cobra.”

“How can I not?”

“You keep an entire city of people as your prisoners. If they try to escape, they’re bled to death and their family is forced to watch.” Viper stared at me. “I didn’t think you were capable of pity.”

The reminder stung.

“So she didn’t tell you anything?”

“No.”

“You’ve had your chance. Now it’s my turn.”

“You really think you can hurt a woman?” I asked incredulously.

“She’s an assassin. Not a woman.”

“Trust me, she’s a woman. You’ll understand when you see her.”

“How could you possibly be attracted to an Ethereal—”

“Because she’sfine. That’s how.”

“You have your women to play around with—”

“Yes, but she…”

Viper waited for me to finish the sentence.