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Chapter Sixteen

In the stench of a fallen city, Paolina still smells like baking pastry, but my hunger has been decoupled from my desperation. I can choose, for the moment, not to drink.

“You hurt yourself.” She doesn’t sound concerned. She’s reporting what she sees.

“I’m fine.” I limp toward her, right arm hanging uselessly.

“Yes. You will be.” She takes half a step back when I get too close. “You should see yourself.”

“I can only imagine.” I wipe my mouth and my hand comes back bloody.

“We are enemies now,” she says. “I wanted to tell you first.”

“I won’t hurt you.” Even before the promise leaves my lips, I know it may be a lie.

“Now that this thing is unleashed…” She shakes her head and looks down.

“It’s the Bourbons. They did it.”

“Now that you’ve been turned into…” She tries to look at me but can’t. “Get away from him. He’ll turn you into a monster… more of a monster. And if you see me, or scent me, or anyone like me. If any woman you meet even reminds you of me, you should hide.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“We’re coming for you.”

I hear him behind me. His gait is casual. He’s in no rush.

He is too sure I’ve drained Paolina. I turn to stand between them, holding my arms out to block the way. My shoulder should hurt more than it does. It’s already healing.

He appears around a dark corner. I glance around for my lover-whore—my new enemy—but she’s gone.