The Monster · Chapter 7 (2/2)

For the task therefore which she could not perform, he seemed naturally indicated. What alone gave her pause was the certainty that he would enjoy it. She could see him, see his ambiguous smile, see his green eyes aglow, his cruel and sensual mouth distended.

From the picture she turned. Beyond was a church, the frontal draped with black. The motor had stopped. It had reached the house in the Rue de la Pompe and pending the opening of the doors, whirred as it blocked the sidewalk.

It was then that she turned. Beside her, arrested by the car, stood Verplank.

After walking up from Voisin’s with Silverstairs he had left him a moment earlier at Tempest’s.

But the great doors had opened. Before Verplank could speak, the machine slid in. As it entered the court, the doors closed noisily.