Tainted Tales Anthology by unknow

Author:unknow
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-26T04:00:00+00:00

Nero held open the door for the orang-bati to drag Mia back into the room. She shrieked and fought the entire way, and he felt a burst of admiration for her refusal to be beaten down.

She spilled curses at the demon, her earlier fear forgotten in the wake of their tussle in the corridor, and he stifled a laugh when the orang-bati yelped as she sank little white teeth into its arm. The demon’s wings flared wide, and its mouth gaped, baring razor-sharp teeth of its own.

“Enough.” Although his voice was soft, both woman and imp stilled, turning their faces toward him. “Diavoletto, leave us.”

The demon released its grip on Mia, and scurried across the room. Nero closed the door on it, and turned around to face her before he spoke again.

“Even if you do escape this room, there’s nowhere you can run where I won’t find you. I’ve been inside your head now. I can find you whenever I wish.” He padded further into the room, smiling faintly when she inched along the wall away from him. “It’s time we talked.”

“Talk? Talk?” Mia asked, her voice incredulous. “How about you explain some things? Where am I? Who are you? How are you even here? Where’s Parker?”

“I could explain all that,” he acknowledged as he lowered himself onto the thin mattress and leaned against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles. “But I’m not going to.” He paused as she reached the door and turned the handle. “You won’t like what you find out there, Mia,” he warned softly.

She stopped, the door slightly ajar, and glanced back at him. “You’re trying to scare me.”

“Am I succeeding?”

“No. I’ve been out there. Other than you and that … that thing, there’s no one here. And this is another dream. I thought I’d woken up, but clearly, I haven’t!”

Nero’s smile was knowing. “If you’re sure about that, then go right ahead.” He waved a hand, giving her permission to carry on. He waited until the door was wide enough for her to step through. “You should probably be aware, though, if you do try to escape, you’ll never see Parker again.”

Her hand dropped. “Are you threatening me?”

“If I say yes, will you stop trying to leave?”

She spun around, her eyes narrowed.

Nero shook his head. “You have no idea what is happening around you. Those nightmares of yours—of the snow and the road—how did it end, Mia? Who was the person who flagged you down?”

Mia’s eyes widened. “How do you know about that?”

“You know the answer to that. You saw me there. You spoke to me.” He let a smirk cross his face. “You came for me.”

“No, I didn’t,” she denied hotly.

Nero tipped his head back against the wall, watching her out of hooded eyes. “You’re lying now. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t do that.” He tapped a finger against his lips thoughtfully. “There are things you’re hiding from yourself, Mia. Until you acknowledge them, you can’t fight what’s coming.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.

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