Page 214 of Fatality

“Where are we, Riven?” I press. “Where the fuck did you take me?”

“My tattoo studio—Nocturne. It's where your shipment is.” She sighs. “Do you want it or not?”

“Of course I want it,” I snarl. “Give it to me, or I'll stop asking. I'll take it.”

She rolls her eyes and starts looking around.

“Charlie and Jules must've hidden it in the back. Stay here.” She pauses at the door. “And don't touch anything.”

“Oh?” I tilt my head. I can feel my eyes glowing. “Are you ordering me around now?”

She doesn't answer and just disappears into the back.

There is no way I’m letting her go again, never.

With everything I am.

She can't leave me, and if someone has to leave, it's me. She doesn't get to, no matter how hard she fights me.

No matter how much she hates me.

I take advantage of it and walk around by myself.

A tattoo studio, I didn’t really know, or didn’t really care.

I stop at one of the stations, there are needles.

I frown.

I turn and head to another station. There's some kind of machine with needles and little bottles filled with colors, must be the ink.

But I don't get what any of this shit is for.

“Riven,” I call out. “What's all this shit for?”

I pick up the machine and press a button.

The thing starts vibrating, pulsing.

My eyes widen in surprise immediately, and I drop it.

“What the hell is that?” A beat. “Is it some kind of toy? Because I don't fucking like it.”

She reappears, she looks down, she looks back at me.

Blinks once.

Twice.

Then, for the first time, she presses her lips into a thin line before bursting out laughing.

“What's so funny?” I growl.

Taking a step toward her, completely ignoring the buzzing machine still lying on the floor.

“Nothing!” she laughs. “Just you being a complete idiot.”

My fists clench and unclench, a muscle jumps in my jaw.