Page 112 of Something Handsome This Way Comes

He didn’t know this body. He didn’t know this creature. But he knew those eyes. He trusted those eyes.

Milo drew in a deep, steadying breath.

“I’m ready.” His body trembled as adrenaline surged through his veins. “Ravage me, monster. I’m yours.”

The coils snapped around him like a spring trap, pinning his arms to his sides before Milo could even draw breath.

The Naga slid its upper body toward Milo until they were eye to eye. Milo struggled to take a breath as the creature tilted its head, observing him with unnatural stillness. It blinked, the double lids sliding closed over its eyes in a transparent film before clearing again.

“Please don’t eat me,” Milo said, jokingly. But also—not.

The creature smirked at him. And even with a newly shaped mouth, Milo recognized the teasing tilt in that look, and his body relaxed.

“Don’t blame me for asking. You’re freaking me out a little, Grievance.”

At the sound of his name, another pleased hiss cut through the air, seeming to come from everywhere all at once. His body slid against Milo’s, as though every scale wanted the chance to touch him. It was cold and sent a shiver racing from Milo’s neck all the way to his toes.

Grievance leaned close until only a breath separated their faces. His inhales were slow, the exhales slower still. Steady. Controlled. Very different from the Kava that had him earlier. This creature was cold-blooded. Patient. Waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

“What will you do with me, Naga?”

He didn’t smile; Milo wasn’t sure he could with this new face, but the corners of his eyes lifted ever so slightly. As though to say,

Just wait and see.

Then the Naga opened its massive mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth and a thick, slitted tongue. Then his mouth opened wider, his bottom jaw seeming to disconnect and drop impossibly low. Like a snake. Even though Milo was pretty sure that was a myth, it didn’t stop the imposing image from startling him. Milo flinched. He couldn’t help it.

Run.

Danger.

DANGER!

Milo’s body went hot as adrenaline surged through his veins, giving his muscles a burst of strength to run. To fight. To get away from what was certainly a slow, painful death.

Grievance’s tongue darted from that wide mouth, stretching longer and longer. Goosebumps erupted all over Milo’s body when that wet, split tongue found his collarbone. It traced all the way up his neck, looped around the back, and traced the opposite collarbone.

Lantern. Give me bravery. Please.

Milo said a silent prayer, hoping he could withstand what was about to come. Withstand the instinctual fear that nearly took over his body and demanded he fight back, as the Naga’s thick, wet tongue coiled around his neck and tightened.

Now his breath was constricted around his throat, as well as his crushed chest. He would very soon begin to struggle for air.

Still. He forced himself not to move.

Grievance’s head tilted, observing. His wide-open mouth was even more horrifying at an angle. His eyes were searching. Perhaps confused. The coils around Milo’s body tightened again, sending a ripple of fresh fear flooding to his brain. Milo knew what he must look like. Helpless. Wrapped up with blown pupils and pale skin.

Does… does he want me to fight?

Maybe the very thing he was suppressing was what the Naga needed. Craved.

Where is the sport in prey that has no fear for its life?

Milo kicked out, his heel finding that hard pack of muscle along Grievance’s abdomen. Instantly the hold around his neck and body loosened. Not because Milo could do any damage, but likely from surprise.

Milo yelled and fought back like a wild animal. Kicking at the thick muscle that caged him until he found a gap wide enough to dive through. He slipped free of the Naga’s hold, landing with a hard thud onto the mattress.

He was already on his knees, ready to scramble for the door when a tail coiled around his ankle, yanking him back.