Her

Beast

"Look at the way she's dressed. She's a whore. A filthy dirty slut. Cleanse her of her sins. Kill the tramp," My mother's voice roars in my head.

My hand tightens around the small beauty's throat. I've never felt as disoriented as I did when she walked into the room. Her brown eyes took in everything around her.

It took me a second to scan through all the emotions I've memorized over the years. I try to keep track of them, so I'll be able to recall them if I see them again. Lucien taught me the trick my first year as a Deacon.

Panic. That was what the look on her face showed. Not fear, or disgust. Her delicate features pinched as her mouth fell open. I wasn't expecting her to plead for help, but what was even more startling was my aggressive need to answer her call.

"Then why the hell are you killing her now?"Right on time, Priest voice steps in.

"Because she's a whore,"Mother replies.

I stare down into her face; her eyes are closed, and her mouth is open. Death is so near her I can feel him breathing down my neck.

"You don't want to do this, Kid."Priest's inner voice says.

"Kill her."My mother counters.

I groan and slam my free hand against the wall beside her head. The hand around her neck loosens and then drops down to my side.

She gasps for breath, falling to the floor at my feet. I watch her fight to suck in enough air to survive.

I need more time. I can kill her later.

"Get up," I tell her. I don't like seeing her on the ground.

She rolls over to her back and glares up at me. I scan my rolodex of facial expressions. She's angry.

"You tried to kill me," her voice is raspier than before.

I do not reply to this obvious statement. I pull her to her feet by her arm and walk her back into the bedroom, depositing her up against the wall. I then head back over to my menu.

He's been dead for a while now. I had more plans for him, but I no longer desire the fun. The sound of the carpet squishing behind me has me turning to glare at her. She's on her knees inching toward the door.

"If you try to run again, it will not end well."

If she attempts to run this time, I will have a legitimate reason to kill her.

"You have a reason now. Look at her, she's without morals. The good book says the wicked shall be cut from the earth."

Turning away from her, I gather my weapons. Using a towel, I wipe down the head of the hammer and then drop it back into my duffle. Although my attention appears to be on cleaning my tools, I listen intently for all sounds behind me. Other than heavy breathing, she does not try to leave again. Good.

The silence is interrupted by her raspy voice. It's not light and airy like it was before. I don't like it.

"What did he do to you?"

I pause, before grabbing the hack saw off the bed and wiping it down. Did she know him? Was he her lover the way Passion is for Priest? The thought of it has me turning my head in her direction.

"Nothing," I snap.

She shrinks back against the wall as if I've struck her. I go back to cleaning my tools.

"Then why did you kill him?" Her question is a lot more hesitant this time.

I want to tell her to stop talking. I don't like a lot of conversation. Plus, I don't owe her a reason for doing what I did. However, when I open my mouth those are not the words that come out.

"It's my job."

"Is your job being a serial killer?"

Shaking my head, I stuff my blade down in the bag. Grabbing the drill next, I remove the bloodied broken bit, clean it, and then toss it in the bag as well before moving on to the power tool.

"No." I once again find myself responding when my mind is telling me to be quiet.

I'm waiting for the point where the sound of her voice starts to annoy me. Even with Priest and my brothers I can only talk to them for so long before I become irritated. However, I don't like her silence.

She didn't run. Mother said they would all run, but she didn't at first.

"You're an assassin?" Her voice is even lower now, almost a whisper.

"Yes."

Silence sits between us, and I fight my instincts to turn around and look at her. The burning urge to constantly keep my eyes on her bothers me.

"Are you going to kill me?"

"Yes," I don't lie.

Though I spared her for now, she will die tonight. I ignore her soft whimpers in the corner. Tears won't save her life. After zipping up my duffle, I take my phone out and make a call. The line connects but no one speaks.

"Placing an order for one. Menu five." I hang up the phone and drop it in my pocket. The fifth item on my menu is done.

Grabbing my duffle off the chair, I walk over to her and glare down. She's in a tight ball, her back is to the wall and her knees are pulled up to her chest. Her face is buried in her hands. The fingers on my free hand twitch at the urge to touch her.

"Time to go," I say, balling my hand into a fist.

She takes her hands away from her face and looks up at me with upturned brown eyes.

"No," she says through clenched teeth.

I take a moment to study her expression. I do not immediately recall the look. It frustrates me when it takes longer than usual to figure out an emotion. Letting out a deep breath, I reach down and once again grab her by the arm, yanking her to her feet.

Her small fist beat at my chest as I escort her out of the room and into the hall.

"Let me go. I said let me fucking go," she shouts as she continues to fight me.

I stop walking and swing her around to face me. "Stop," the word is spoken lowly, but she immediately quits fighting against me.

Closing my eyes, I focus on my breathing.

"The disrespectful whore doesn't even appreciate your kindness." Mother's voice quickly points out. "You should march her back in the room and peel the flesh from her whore face."

"No," I say out loud.

"Weak. You are weak."Her voice taunts. "The scripture says those that are in the flesh can not please God. You have not learned your lesson, Boy. Do what you are called to do."

"Shut up," I shout.

When I open my eyes, I find her staring at me. This time it does not take me long to decipher her expression. Fear. She's afraid.

"You will behave," I tell her.

She doesn't respond, but she also doesn't try to pull away when I grab her arm this time. Until I'm ready to end her, I will have to keep her with me. There are three more people on my menus. After I've dealt with them, I'll deal with her.

"Come."

I walk her out of the apartment, my hand still wrapped around her bicep. The cleanup crew will be here soon, and I need to be long gone by then.