“Hangman…” His voice is like a thread of warning. I knew that one day, I’d drive my knife through his skull. It was just a matter of time and safety. I couldn’t do it with so much to fucking lose all the time. Poppy was always my biggest concern, but now with Ruby? Fuck if I know what I’m doing.

My knee stops, and I keep my eyes locked on the Virgin Mary statue that stands at the altar of the chapel. Her hands are closed around rosary beads before they trail down to an upside-down cross. Blood spills from her eyes, and part of her body is covered in a black cloak. This isn’t about religion, it’s about power.

“She’s not reacting well, as expected.” He takes a seat beside me on the bench and I have to fight with myself to not kill him right now. Finally, my eyes trail up to his face, to where his suit ends and the rough edges of his jaw begin.

“Mmmhmm.” I roll my lips behind my teeth to stop from doing something animalistic like biting his fucking face off.

Shit. I don’t know what the fuck has gotten into me. I’ve known him all of my life, Poppy’s life. He’s done all kinds of shit to both of us—more than both of us, to many people and kids—and not once had I ever felt this kind of rage. I can feel the violence in my bones humming against every logical thought process inside my head. Like I can almost feel the sharp talons of time scraping down the side of my skull.

“You got what you wanted.” Slowly, I turn my body toward him. “Now where’s Poppy?”

He doesn’t answer, his eyes remaining focused on Mother Mary. His shoulders are squared back, his control unwavering.

“Do you remember when you were a little boy and you tried to run away?”

I bite back a growl, because for once in my life his restraint—his controlled candor—fucking irks me. “How could I forget? That was pretty much when you made me your favorite toy.”

He doesn’t smile, but his cheek twitches and a slight cackle escapes his mouth. “Ha. That’s probably being a little too optimistic, young one.” It wasn’t. I remember every single day I spent with him like it was imprinted into my brain. Someone once told me that the older you got, the less you remembered as a child. It was the reason why we couldn’t remember some memories. It’s a lie. I remember fucking everything.

“What did you want with Ruby?”