Page 31 of Cain

“Good. Now, four things you can touch.”

“Carpet, roses, wall …”

“And?” he encourages.

“And you.”

“Excellent, little rose. Now, three things you can smell.”

“Blood, roses, your perfume.”

My breathing is calming down slowly. The smell of cigarettes is noticeable, but it’s not unpleasant on him. It blends perfectly with his sandalwood cologne, making it barely noticeable.

“Great, now two things you can hear,” he whispers, leaning in and stroking my cheek with his thumb.

“My heartbeat and your voice.”

Suddenly, I feel lighter. My heartbeat slows, but it still pounds loudly. He’s close. Too close to my lips.

“Now, one thing you can taste.”

“I think—I think roses.”

A faint yet wicked smirk etches across his face, and he reaches for my hand. He slowly puts my fingers into his mouth and licks them.Why am I getting goosebumps?

Then he gently pushes my fingers into my mouth, making me taste the roses as well. My eyes close as I savor his rose-flavored taste. It’s euphoric. This taste has been carved into my mind, reminding me of the first time I spoke to him. It brings back the memory of the façade of the gentleman he hides the monster he truly is behind.

He is everything I hate: everything I’m not and everything I’ve always wanted to stay away from.

He’s a fiend with a corrupted mind, blood on his hands, and darkness in his soul.

“Why did you do it?”

“Because he tried to hurt you.”

“It’s none of your business! You could have called the police!” I scream. “You didn’t have to …” My eyes drop to Elijah’s head, and I feel my breathing hitching once again.

He leans in closer again, nailing his eyes on mine. “You are mine, Katerina. OnlyIdecide what happens with my property.”

I push him away. “Stop saying that! I am not yours, do prdele!”

How did I let myself be fooled by him? Now that I see him from a distance, I can see his true self again. I can see that he is the murderer.

“Hush, little rose.” He exhales. How can he be so calm? He takes his phone from his slacks pocket,and quickly, he texts something. What the hell? “Eleanor?” he yells.

“Don’t ignore me!” I push him again, neglecting the possible consequences that I faced the previous time I attacked him. “I’m talking to you!”

He clenches his jaw. “Don’t push me again.”

“Why?” I shove him. “Will you kill me, too?” I push again. “Do it! Kill me!”

Swiftly, he grabs my face and jams his fingers violently into my cheeks. “Kill you?” he hisses through clenched teeth.

He’s hurting me …

“As long as I stay here, I’m already dead.” My voice cracks.

“You have no idea what death means. But I’ll be happy to give you a taste of it if you don’t stop with that attitude.”