Cold Truths

Mathis made almost no sound. Barely the flutter of clothing and I saw his feet leave the floor as he must’ve leapt.

I heard a thump and a horrible wet, wrenching sound. Next was the sopping thunk of a head lolling along the stone floor.

The grip on my neck went slack. Dark nails slipping from the wounds they’d created as the heavy body collapsed next to me.

Headless.

I screamed. Leaping to my feet in panic.

By the time I managed to scramble to my feet, he was already there. Eerily still in that way that only he could master. Where he only watched my skittering movements with those intelligent green eyes.

But once I steadied myself on swaying legs, his hands snatched out to catch my upper arms. Jerking me against him as he wrapped sheltering arms around me.

“What did you do to her?”

“Killed her.”

“Her head.”

“Parted from the rest of her.” He said flatly.

I flinched and tucked my face into