The fire that tore through her body was explosive, Sera gripped the cold granite of the island bench between her finger tips and drew in much needed oxygen. But even that did not simmer the inferno within, because all she could see was those cold dead eyes looking down at her with disgust. A fury like no other took over each and every sense, the root of it, weakness. That buzzing need for pain called to her like a siren, the addictive burn across her thighs felt like a escape.

She needed the release, but as she turned towards the utensils draw her eyes caught sight of the devil. He stood in the shadows of the alcove, quiet, assessing, analysing her behaviours and emotions. Like she was a show and he'd just received full backstage clearance. The man did not speak, the gravel tone she'd almost thought she'd imagine made not appearance. How disappointing. Unconsciously she began clenching and unclenching her fingers, the adrenaline coursing through her body sought an outlet but she was frozen.

This time she practically begged him to burst at the fucking seems, how beautiful it would be. That violence within her wanted to see the destruction, to feel the hurt and disease that the world truly was. The dark thoughts became primary and she found herself speaking through clenched teeth, "I don't appreciate being watch."

Sinn cocked his head, his dark green eyes running the length of her form, from the silky chocolate tips of her hair, down to her thin black canvas shoes. The brat in her wanted to spin in a full circle, before bowing down and ending the performance. The adult in her remained stationary. He held his arm out and she looked down, noticing the dark green scarf in his hand.

He was giving her the opportunity to hide, to cover the bruises along her neck like a dirty secret. She stepped back. "Is there something I can get you, sir." her words felt mocking.

Why in gods green earth was she trying to antagonise the beast... But fuck did she want him to rip her apart, and she knew for a fact a man like him could do exactly that.

"Do you appreciate being marked?"

His world held heat, the volatile kind, it was bitter and sharp. Like it pained him to ask her the question. His irises dilated as he narrowed his gaze directly on her face, watching for even the slightest of reaction. Hate. It sat clear as day on his expression and it was entirely directed at her.

Her insides screamed. Externally she licked her lips and lowered her tone, "yes. Yes Sinn, I do." She looked up at him through thick lashes and felt the power her words had over the man.

It was a win.

His saw clenched so very uncomfortably, she was sure he'd be spitting out a bloodied tooth. The bravado and confidence seemed foreign, but welcomed. She watched in fascination as the brute clenched his fist around the scarf before throwing it onto the island bench. He gave her one last seething perusal before turning and leaving her to mull over the encounter. 

And mull she did, no longer did Seraphina seek the gentle electric burn across her thighs... no she desired another kind of pleasure, hungered for it within her core. Arousal seeped from that sweet junction and she found herself collapsing back against the counters. There was something so very erotic about the corded muscles that bunched in the man's forearm, hell she wanted to lick each and every vein that ran like rivers and lakes up his arms.

This was it, she thought, it had finally happened. Her breakdown. Her laughter filled the air and she looked out into the garden with pure madness infecting her soul. Hysteric and unhinged. Therapy was looking like a damn real possibility if she continued down this emotionally manic path.

"Sera..." Gabriella's sweet voice came from behind her and she felt her smile morph into tears. They trailed down her cheeks traitorously. Warm hands took hold of her shoulders and twisted her body. "Oh, sweet child..." Gabriella cooed, bringing the younger woman into her chest. "My precious girl," she continued.

Seraphina allowed her walls to shatter, "he'll take Piero." She sobbed. Not further explanation was needed, the older woman knew that is why she could not leave the nightmare. Her love for the boy too strong.

They sunk down to the marbled glossed floor and Seraphina crumbled apart, clutching Gabriella's body like a life line. "Let it out, piccolo, don't hide it anymore." Aged hand's stroked her back, "Capo will help if you tell him, child."

She shook her head her sob becoming hiccups and shudders, "no matter what, it is his father. I cannot take that from Piero."

He knew better. Knew that walking away was the right choice, that staying clear of any emotion was safe. Yet there he stood, holding that damn silk material between bruised knuckles, the damn thing smelt of her. It was easy, he just needed to leave the fucking hallway but for some reason his legs did not heed. Not even when his mind screamed to move, something kept him still. Maybe it was the chaotic laugher that trailed from the kitchen, maybe it was the sob that followed. Whatever it was it was irritating because only very few times had the man felt the urge to burn the entire fucking world down.

Very fucking few times... but the sight of those bruises on her soft tanned skin felt like acid poured into freshly opened wounds. For a man who had practiced the art of control and detachment like he was a pastor and it was his bible... Sinn felt alive with emotions. Emotions that had been beaten from his bones, abused from his soul and drained from his entire being. That empty place in his chest seemed to pulse with a crazed need to find the giver of those markings on her skin. He wanted to burn inch by inch of the fuckers flesh and watch as it festered with disease, watch as his own body gave into the brutalities of the environment around it.

Hell he wanted to pry the life from the bastards eyes while she watched. So she knew that no one would ever lay their corrupted hands on her body again... It didn't help that she had antagonised him, he saw it, she was pleading to see him unfold. Something told him, Seraphina would dance in the ashes of a world he burned, she do it with that same distraught laugh. It was for that reason alone he found the will to leave. He found himself chuckling, the sound so strange and unnatural, having been decades since he'd last felt amused. It was amusing that the the heavens had given him a fruit tempting, sinful and taken...

Like hot coal on the soles of his feet, Sinn Silvetti knew she was going to bring him to his fucking knees. He disliked her further for that. Despised her ability to both arouse and infuriate him like a perfect pendulum, swinging from one axis to another. Hated that they'd spoke all of twenty words conclusively and yet he'd never forget the sound of her breathy words, or the heat that took hold of her collarbone and cheeks.

With the memory of her a vivid nightmare, Sinn headed for Killian's armoury. Needing to inflict some form of emotion to keep him from caving and returning to her side, just to see her rupture...

* *

The rain spilled around them. Piero held his hand out from the deck and allowed the cold drops to pool in his small palm. A week had passed since the confusing encounter, Sera had regained her composure and made a conscious effort to avoid just about everyone in the manor. She'd thanked Gabriella for comforting her and then receded back into the shell of a person she'd crafted as a barrier to the chaos within. But as the scent of the earth lifted to her nose, Sera smiled. A real, honest and happy smile.

"Let's dance," she whispered to Piero.

The small boy buzzed next to her, "but we will get wet, papa won't like that..." He frowned.

Seraphina shook her head, no Santino would not like that, but the sky was playing a inviting tune she could not resist. Laughing the young woman bloomed, she stood up and took off into the open garden. Spreading her arms wide, she spun around, her happiness infectious. Piero giggled and ran out to join her.

Taking hold of his small body, she spun him around until they were both laughing uncontrollably. Drenched and satisfied, Sera dropped their bodies to the grass, laying back and closing her eyes as Piero rested on her chest. "We are going to the moon, baby, I promise... just you and I."

"Dio mio! You will catch a cold, bambina!" Gabriella's concerned tone came from the deck. She tutted and exclaimed some more, demanding they return to the house and dry off.

The feeling of freedom was beautiful, blinking she sat up, "you should join us, signora..."

"Seraphina! Piero! Do not make an old lady upset," she grumbled back.

"Wouldn't dream of it," Seraphina replied before scooping Piero up and standing. She walked back through the downfall feeling like a weight had lifted off her chest. For her world so filled with darkness, the rain felt like a reprieve.

Immediately Gabriella took hold of Piero and wrapped a towel around his shivering body. Then she shook her head and ushered them inside. Like the mother hen that she was she navigated them through the mansion and towards the guest bathrooms. "You need a hot shower, the cold will get into your bones, child!"

"I will be fine, Gabi," Seraphina laughed.

"None of that, in you go, I will bring a towel and clothes."

There would be no arguing with the older woman, so Sera heeded her words. Twisting the faucet, she allowed the rainfall shower head to steam up the room, her skin welcomed the warmth. Then she removed her clothes, bending at the hips to tug down the leggings that clung to her toned legs. She heard the door open and she laughed, "Gabi you will need to bring scissors, they're stuck..."

There was no response, no laughter or scolding. Just a hit of mint and blistering fire that spread down her spine, over the curve of her ass and straight for her clenching pussy... Her body felt him before her mind even registered that it most definitely was not Signora Gabriella behind her.

Her body snapped up straight and through the almost fogged mirror she found his eyes, sinister, cold and dominating...

* * *

Next, thank you...

- Queen of Cliffhangers -