37. Veil
37
VEIL
I ’m crawling out of my skin, pacing back and forth in front of the tall living room windows. Gemini left over an hour ago, needing to attend to some business in the city.
That’s not what’s bothering me.
It’s this growing tightness in my chest and the itch that seems to evade me anytime I try to find the source, crackling just under the surface of my skin.
At first, I thought the rising tension was because I was left alone and missing Gemini. The mere thought that could potentially be the reason had me rolling my eyes and repressing the feeling. But it’s been a few hours, and I am now certain that the two are unrelated.
I stop in my tracks and stare out the window, the large quarter moon hanging heavy above the harbor as I wring my hands incessantly and deliberate my next move.
It’s as if an invisible hand were reaching out from the shadows of Pravitia, beckoning me closer. Demanding I come ease the smarting ache.
I might not yet be fluent in my god’s tongue, but this is undeniable.
I am being called. And if I don’t respond soon, I will go out of my mind.
I promised Gemini that I would stay here while he was gone, but my god is more important than staying put for his sake.
Finally, I make my decision and storm out the door.
The night air is misty, the damp clinging to my skin as I walk aimlessly through the busy streets of Pravitia. I could have stolen a few watches by now, maybe even a couple of wallets to get my blood going, but I have yet to lift a single finger.
My hands are stuffed in the pockets of my bomber jacket, shoulders raised up to my ears in a vain effort to shield myself from the chill. This is the first time I’ll be stealing something while being this connected to my god.
It feels different, like entering a brand-new era of my life. I wander with purpose, if there is such a thing. Flowing on an invisible current, I have faith that my god will lead me straight to my next fateful mark. I haven’t left Gemini’s neighborhood, my intuition tingling with the knowledge that I will find what I’m looking for here.
As I turn a corner, adrenaline shoots down my spine, and I know my mark must be close. I look around, but can’t find the source of this electricity in my veins. Then I look over my shoulder, and a knowing thrill charges through me as my eyes land on the man a few steps behind me.
I quickly turn back around and inconspicuously slow down, hoping he’ll pass me so I can start trailing him. But after a few failed attempts, the suspicion that this man might be following me slowly dawns on me.
A month ago, before being thrust into the cutthroat world of Pravitia’s favorites, my initial reaction would have been fear. The anxiety of the unsafe and dangerous. But tonight, all I feel is vexed outrage that this man does not know who I am and what I am capable of.
The crown of my head tingles, the feeling slowly moving down to my nape and traveling down my body. And suddenly, I realize maybe my god isn’t craving petty theft tonight.
But something a lot more violent.
I make a sharp left down a less crowded street just to confirm my suspicion, and a subtle glance over my shoulder confirms that he’s still following me. I walk down two blocks before I hear a short whistle behind me, and I whirl around at the sound.
I should be shocked to find Gemini standing behind me, holding the man by the collar and a butterfly knife to his throat.
I’m not.
I don’t question how he got here or found me this easily.
Instead, my stomach flips at the sight of his roguish smile. My mouth goes dry as I stare at his twinkling blue and green eyes. Signaling me with a jerk of his head to follow him into the closest alleyway, he drags the struggling man along with him and disappears into the shadows.
I quickly stalk after them, my heart now slamming in my chest with giddy anticipation. What’s coming is inevitable, the final missing piece to slide into place for me to claim my rightful place at the top of the Pravitian food chain.
I follow the sound of Gemini’s crazed chuckle, as if still leashed by the neck. When he deems us far enough into the alley, he breezily maneuvers the man so that he has his elbows pulled backward, facing me and unable to move.
It’s clear the man knows who Gemini is by the lack of resistance, and despite the wild terror written across his face, not a single cry for help leaves his lips. With one hand still hooked around the man’s elbows, Gemini hands me the butterfly knife before pulling him closer in his hold. I take it with a smile, and he blows me a kiss.
I take a moment to observe my very first kill. Graying hair at his temples. Wide-set eyes splashes in terror. A round nose. My assessing gaze lingers on a stain on his beige cashmere sweater. Then on the small chain with a locket hanging around his neck.
Petty jealousy pulses through me, and I wish I could have the same effect on people that I’m sure all six have on the citizens of this city.
I vow to become just as notorious as Gemini Foley and the rest.
To never be mistaken for prey ever again.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” I say mockingly.
The man blubbers and shakes his head, tears now streaming down his face. “If I had known,” he whimpers, “that you were one of Gemini’s?—”
“I am not one of anything,” I spit.
I lunge forward, and the blade slices across his neck like shears on silk. The cut isn’t deep enough to be fatal, but the man gurgles a cry nonetheless as blood immediately trickles out of the wound, adding to his stained beige sweater.
Gemini grows ecstatic behind him, his laugh turning that more sinister. “Again, again.” He snickers.
Butterflies tickle my stomach as the pride spreads across his face, and I flash him a dopey smile. It urges me on, and I step closer. Tugging on his sweater to create tension, I slice down the middle, cutting it in half. I rip the rest of the fabric with my hands, revealing the man’s heaving chest beneath, the shredded sweater falling to the sides.
The knife thrums in the palm of my hand, as if sentient. It’s as bloodthirsty as I am, and I bring the sharp blade up to the man’s stomach for it to have a small sip. I nick the skin, and he whimpers, the blood from his neck wound slowly trickling down his chest.
“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 letter V with the blood on his stomach, followed by a heart and the letter G .
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 and his 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 .”