Page 685 of Coal Hearts

Dropping the empty bag on the floor, he stepped slowly toward Henri and grabbed his slack hand. “Here.”

Henri didn’t react.

He looked as broken as I felt.

Victor curled Henri’s fingers around the blade and stepped back as Henri stared blankly at the knife.

“This place is called Temple of Facets as you will deliver one hundred cuts to turn her from human into gem. Each cut will drench her blood with adrenochrome, which will be collected and sold. Her kidneys have already been purchased. Along with her lungs and eyes. But it was her heart that fetched the biggest price. A price I will give to you, my friend, so you will always remember the value of this lesson. A lesson that you are worth far more than she could ever hope to afford. You are above her in every way. She is yours to do whatever you wish. That is how this world works. That is what you are. And love has no place in it.”

Moving to stand behind Peter, he placed his disgusting hands on Peter’s shoulders.

Peter choked on a sob, bowing his head.

“Tonight, gentlemen, Peter will perform his final duty as our cleaner. He has disappointed me and lost my trust. The other jewels will be punished for their role in their futile little war, but I have no doubt the unrest stems from these two. And so...if any man present would like to give him a Diamond Kiss later this evening, you are more than welcome to bid once he has cleaned up what will be left of Ilyana.”

Reaching over Peter’s shoulder, Victor kissed him softly on the cheek. “I’m being kind to you, Paavak. I could keep you alive after this. I could make you live a long, long life haunted by the memories of the girl you love. The girl you watched be turned into a jewel. The girl whose intestines slithered through your hands as you tossed them into the sea.”

He sighed and let Peter go. “What do you say, my pet? Come now, don’t be shy.”

With tears dripping down his cheeks, Peter raised his chin and tore off his crystal mask. Throwing it onto the floor, he hissed, “Fuck you to motherfucking hell.”

Victor nodded. “I expected you were holding that in for a while.” He chuckled and patted his cheek. “Doesn’t that feel better?”

“I fucking hate you. I hope you fucking rot.”

“Not before you, I’m afraid.”

My own tears spilled.

I looked back at Henri.

He hadn’t moved.

Gaunt and blinking at the knife in his shaking hands.

Victor returned to him.

He slung his arm around Henri’s waist. “Come now, my friend. You won this. I saw you find the chit and also saw you tear it up. That was the moment I knew you had to do this. Not because I wish to cause you pain but because this is the only way you can be free of her.”

Grabbing Henri around the nape, he said kindly, “I know this is hard. Believe me, I loved once too. And you know what cured me of that nasty affliction? Death. The moment I drove a dagger into her heart, I felt such relief, mon ami. No more humanity holding me back. No more doubt. No more fear. I stepped into my power. And now...it’s time for you to step into yours.”

Taking Henri’s wrist, he dragged him toward me.

He pushed and directed until Henri stood over the altar, his shoulder brushing Peter’s.

I couldn’t look away from him.

I couldn’t read him, hear him, feel him.

He’d checked out. Burned out. Gone.

Please be okay.

Please don’t let this break you.

No response.

Not a single blink.