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"Fucker," I growled at Saul before suddenly stilling as Saul pulled something from the canvas bag and held it up for me to see.
Blood drained from my face and the remnants of the champagne I was drinking earlier lurched up my throat. I was going to vomit.
Saul's eyes tracked my face, taking it all in, and a small smile edged the corner of his lips.
It looked like a—a—a?—
I gulped.
He held up the head and torso of a small alligator, like a trophy for me to see. There was a leather strap around its small snout. A plaid bow tie hanging from its neck.
"I thought this might calm you. Though, the woman I disposed of last night might be more motivating,” his gaze burned into me. “She looked a lot like Callie.”
Panic clawed up my throat but I knew it was only a threat. I’d spoken to her just before we’d left, and I was trusting Rook. He had someone watching her—someone who would immediately take her away if there was any sign of danger.
I looked towards the bag and now saw the dark red stain.
Oh god.
“Did you know that alligators can hold their breath for almost an hour?” He peered over the edge of the dock. “They could be right there, under the surface of the water, and you wouldn’t know until it was too late. And they’ll eat almost anything.” There was a splash in the water below before I realized what had happened---he'd thrown the torso into the water below. “Including each other. And even their own mates.”
Pulling his hand from the bag, he held up the long tail.
I clasped my hand to my mouth, trying to keep the vomit down.
“They’re similar to humans that way,” he shrugged, “If we’re desperate enough. Though I’m not desperate. Just…” he tossed it into the water. “Annoyed when things are no longer useful.”
There was a sudden lump in my throat. I couldn’t breathe. My chest was tight. Heart pounding—like it was going to burst out of my chest. I was going to die of a heart attack, if Saul didn’t carve me up first.
“Have you ever heard of the Luminara?"
I stared at him, wide-eyed and surprised at the change in subject. Remembering the tale Benson had told me about my favorite albino alligator.
His eyes flashed, pain exploding through my face as he backhanded me. "I asked you a question."
I flew back into Maxon’s chest and he gripped me, holding me up. Harrison sniggered, his cold laugh stark in the empty night. I could feel a wetness on my cheek—blood and body parts from Saul’s hand.
“That’s a myth,” I growled, watching in disgust as another body part came out of the bag, a chunk of skin and meat and bone. I wasn’t entirely sure they were alligator parts this time.
It sailed over the side of the dock.
“Not a myth," Saul shook his head, "I've seen it with my own eyes. It follows me everywhere I go, like my own personal guardian. Just as my destiny has chosen me to be your executioner, Destiny has given me my own protector." Saul pulled out a large chunk of torso. This time, I was sure it wasn’t alligator, but human—a white collared shirt still attached.
Slipping from the bodyguard's hold like an eel, I landed on my hands and knees and vomited.
When I was done, I stayed there, heaving, fear making my whole body tremble.
I didn't know where Rook was, but I knew I was going to die tonight.
Saul's shoes came into my vision, and suddenly he was kneeling next to me. Fingers clenching my chin, he forced me to look upwards. His demon mask made him look so much more evil.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell me Rook's secrets?" his voice curled around my insides, squeezing, squeezing. "I'm sure he's told you...something."
I didn't pull away, and so my next round of vomit splashed all over him, his fancy suit, his squeaky clean shoes.
I cowered, expecting him to hit me like he had before. When it didn't happen, I glanced upwards.
He was smiling.
