“What changes? You think the Prince will start protecting humans just because we killed three minor gods?”

Ethel didn’t reply, but she stopped being paranoid as we got closer to the compound.

She actually escorted me all the way back to my room in complete silence. Maybe in her mind her job was done and she didn't have to bother with me anymore. I scowled but let myself be led

I started awake.

The room was pitch black. I turned to check the clock: 3:00 am. I fumbled for the light switch.

He sat on the corner of my bed, pale skin and platinum hair.

My heart stopped.

He turned around, those white eyes watching me even though there was no iris for me to focus on. My hands pulled themselves above my head. No, I tugged as hard as I could. No. They were bound to the headboard, even though there were no visible bonds.

He rose, cocking his head. I shivered, my nipples hardening. I didn’t need to look down to know I was nude. Tears burned, “Please stop.”

He raised a finger to his lips.

I shook my head, “No, please.”

His fingers grew long…sharp. He raised his forefinger…and plunged it into my thigh, all the way to the bone. Then slowly, he began to cut down to my knee.

Blood soaked the sheets. The pain took a second longer to take hold.

I screamed.

Pain radiated from my leg to encompass my whole being. Nothing but pain. I would have fainted if he let me.

I grew aware that he was licking the wound. As his tongue passed over it, the skin knitted together and the pain subsided.

I lay gasping, sobbing. I heard myself say, “Please,” over and over.

He didn’t stop licking as he moved past the wound, inching up my thigh. He didn’t stop as he reached the apex. Parting the outer lips, his fingers human again, he plunged into me.

I arched.

Pain morphing, shifting into desire, uncontrollable need. No!

But he didn’t stop. His fingers continued in the rhythm as his tongue found my clit. Tears and moans came together as I tried to control it and couldn’t.

He took it to the end, continuing even as I spasmed through the climax.

I woke gasping, tears streaming down my face. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath. I understood the message though: he had asked nicely, now he let me know that he controlled my pain and my pleasure.

I drew my knees to my chin, wrapping my hands around them, and sobbed. Please, please let Ethel’s plan work. I don’t know who I prayed to but I hoped someone heard it.

A knock started me out of my misery. “Emma? You awake?” Brad called through the door.

I swiped at my eyes, “Yeah,” my voice shook a little. I hoped he didn’t notice.

“Are you okay?”

I guess he did, “Yeah, just woke up, sorry. Still groggy. You can come in.” But before he opened the door I dived for the bathroom.

His footsteps approached the bathroom door, “We were going to train, one last time, I don’t think Toni’s up for waiting any longer. Anyway it’s just me, Shadow and Mercy, just us non-special humans, would you like to join us?”

The way he said non-special humans; laughing, no shame or regret in it. I envied him.

Fifteen minutes later, I walked out showered and dressed and dry-eyed.

Mercy was not happy to see me but she remained silent for once, settling for scowling at me instead.

Shadow came right over, making gestures at Brad. If it was real Sign Language, I didn’t know.

Brad smiled uncertainly. Shadow turned to me raising three fingers then indicating him, Mercy and Brad then pointing at me and raising one finger. I turned to Brad.

“He thinks we should do three against one.”

I frowned, “Um, sure.”

They took positions in a semicircle in front of me. As they trained guns in my direction, panic started in my stomach. The panic of too much television and knowing that guns killed, period. Shouldn’t I have gotten a bullet proof vest, or something?

“Are you scared?” Mercy smirked.

I didn’t get to reply as Shadow shot off fifty rounds with a machine gun. Mercy joined in, followed by Brad. Well guns didn’t make elegant attackers, I thought as my body moved on its own. I was behind Shadow but he anticipated it, turning around even as I started to move. I managed not to get hit by sheer luck, grabbing the gun from him, feeling the difference in strength as I wrenched the gun away.

My mistake was not thinking they would fight me like a real opponent. I only pushed Shadow to the ground before moving on to Mercy. Even as I took away her weapon and knocked her against a wall, Shadow cut at my knees with his machete. I was lucky he didn’t sever my legs completely.

I fell to the ground. Mercy pulled out a handgun and shot me in the neck.