“P-please,” he croaks.
Gemini tsks loudly behind him. “Say another word, love, and I’ll rip out your vocal cords before she’s done with you.”
The man cowers in his hold, and Gemini winks, sending me another quick kiss.
My gaze lands back on the man’s bloody stomach, and adrenaline slowly morphs into morbid curiosity. I sink the blade deep into his gut just to know how it feels, and Gemini turns even giddier, his laughter drowning the man’s cries of pain.
“Try the heart next,” he says breathlessly, his eyes as bright as the stars above. “Right here.” He lets go of one of the man’s arms to press his index finger onto the bloodied skin, indicating a specific spot above the ribs.
The man barely stirs, his head now drooping forward.
I don’t think, letting my hand guide me instead, and the blade disappears into the man’s chest. I pull out the knife with a jerk, instinctively wanting to see the blood flow out of the wound.
I am hypnotized by the blood, beckoning me forward like a siren song. Dropping my hand to my side, still holding the knife loosely in my palm, I reach for the flow of blood with the other hand. I drag my fingers over the wound, the blood surprisingly warm under my touch.
My gaze lifts to Gemini, who’s still holding on to the near-unconscious man. He’s beaming, and a shocked laugh leaves my lips, my smile widening. As my attention falls back on the dying man, my brows furrow, as if wanting to concentrate.
Idly, I smear the blood across the pale skin until an impulsive urge overtakes me. With my index finger, I slowly begin to draw the letterVwith the blood on his stomach, followed by a heart and the letterG.
I burst into manic giggles as Gemini sucks in a sharp breath at the sight. With an unceremonious shove, he lets the man crumple to the ground at our feet.
“Come here,” he growls before grabbing me by my jacket and tugging me forward.
His lips burn against mine, and I scramble over the heap of limbs on the ground to get my body closer to Gemini. I return the kiss with as much desperation as I can feel in his touch, feeling the rush of life coursing through my veins while the man takes his final breaths at our feet.
“How did it feel?” Gemini hums against my neck, leaving a trail of kisses in his wake.
“Natural,” I say between quickening breaths. “Effortless.”
His laughter vibrates against my skin before he straightens to gaze longingly into my eyes.
“To watch you emerge from the binding shackles of humanity has been an absolute honor, my beloved. Divine perfection.”
He presses a kiss on my forehead, and I circle my arms around his waist. The warmth of his words trickles through my limbs like I’m sitting beside a crackling fire.
“Let’s go home,” I murmur near the crook of his neck.
Silence lingers before Gemini says, “Home?”
I unfurl myself from his embrace and give him a sheepish look, shrugging my shoulders nervously.
Gemini is serious for only a second before his expression turns into a triumphant smile. “Home it is then.”
He starts to lead us out of the alley, but I stop him.
“Wait.” I crouch down over the body and rifle through his pockets for his wallet before slipping his watch off his wrist andhis gold ring off his finger. I stuff the items into my jacket and bounce back up with a wide grin.
Gemini huffs amusingly, putting my arm overtop his while we begin to walk. “You know,” he says, patting my hand, “stealing a measly wallet feels beneath you now.”
“Stealing is beneath me?” I say incredulously.
Gemini laughs, flashing me a conspiratorial smile. “I never said anything about stealing.”
38
GEMINI
Veil sits in the town car, facing me, and I study her for any signs of nerves as the vehicle slows to a stop in front of Aleksandr’s estate. Today was Mercy and Wolfgang’s wedding. The ceremony was near Mount Pravitia, but Aleksandr generously offered his property for the reception.
