Chapter 6: The Price of Disobedience
The bar stank of spilled beer and sweat, the hum of drunken laughter drowning out Josephus’ thoughts. Seraphina’s fingers traced the rim of her glass, her nails chipped but sharp. "Out of what?" he asked, voice barely audible over the din.
Her lips curled, slow and knowing, like a cat watching a mouse struggle. "Out of her web, darling." She leaned in, the scent of whiskey thick on her breath. "Out of her control." The dim light caught the silver chain around her neck, glinting like a blade.
Josephus’ pulse hammered in his throat. "Why?"
"Because you’re drowning in it," she murmured, tilting her head toward the shadows. "Meet me tomorrow. Nana’s apartment. Noon." Her fingers brushed his wrist, cold and deliberate. "Be ready to make a choice."
---
The tenement’s staircase groaned under his weight, each step a creaking protest. Mildew clung to the walls, the air thick with the sour tang of neglect. His palms were slick, his stomach twisting as he reached the third floor.
Nana’s door loomed ahead, paint peeling like dead skin. He hesitated, knuckles hovering. The silence was worse than the noise—heavy, expectant. He knocked.
The door opened with a whine. Nana stood there, small and brittle, her eyes red-rimmed and glassy. "Josephus," she whispered, voice frayed. "What are you doing here?"
Before he could answer, a shadow moved behind her.
Brittany’s laugh cut through the apartment, rich and mocking. "He’s here to witness a lesson, Nana." She stepped forward, her towering frame swallowing the doorway. The riding crop in her hand gleamed, leather supple and cruel. "A lesson in loyalty."
---
Nana flinched, her fingers clutching the doorframe. "Brittany," she breathed, the name trembling on her lips. "What are you—"
"Kneel," Brittany commanded, voice like a whip crack.
Josephus’ blood turned to ice. "Brittany, what the fuck is this?"
She ignored him, her gaze locked on Nana. "You doubted me," she purred, stepping closer. "Doubted my love for him." Her free hand curled into Nana’s hair, wrenching her head back. "That’s a sin, Nana."
The riding crop whistled through the air.
The impact echoed—a sickening thud against Nana’s thigh. She cried out, knees buckling. "Please!"
"Beg," Brittany snarled.
Nana sobbed, crumpling to the floor. "I’m sorry—I’m sorry, please—"
Brittany’s eyes flicked to Josephus, dark with triumph. "Is this enough?" She dragged the crop down Nana’s cheek, leaving a red welt. "Or should I make her scream?"
---
Josephus’ hands shook. Nana’s tears dripped onto the scuffed hardwood, her breaths ragged. "Josephus," she whimpered, reaching for him.
Brittany’s boot came down on her fingers. "Ah-ah." She pressed harder, grinning at Nana’s whimper. "He’s mine, Nana. Isn’t that right, Josephus?"
His throat burned. "Stop—just fucking stop!"
Brittany’s smile vanished. The crop lashed out again—this time across Nana’s back. The old woman shrieked, curling into herself.
"Choose," Brittany hissed. "Her or me."
Josephus lunged.
Brittany caught his wrist, twisting until his knees hit the floor. "Wrong answer." Her breath scorched his ear. "You’ll regret this."
The crop cracked against his ribs. Pain exploded, white-hot.
Nana screamed his name.
Brittany laughed.