CHAPTER :17.5 Shadows Between Us

The room was so quiet at Veronica's that she could hear the clock ticking on the wall. Elizabeth's cheek against hers, her red eyes on Veronica.

Veronica swallowed hard, her voice shaking.

"Why… why did you never tell me before? Why keep it secret all these years?"

Elizabeth leaned forward, her cheek rubbing against Veronica's.

"Because," she breathed, her lips on Veronica's, "you were too young to know."

And then, quite suddenly, her lips touched Veronica's. A soft, binding kiss.

Veronica's eyes went wide. She pulled back a little, her words faltering.

"W-why do you keep kissing me, Eliz?"

Elizabeth's eyes darkened, her hand at the back of Veronica's neck, holding her in place.

"To give you my powers," she rasped, her voice firm.

Veronica's head shook, her words cracking.

"Liar. That is not the truth."

Elizabeth's smile contorted, hard and insightful.

"You're right," she admitted softly. "It's because I love you."

Veronica's breath caught. The words sliced into her like a knife, half desire, half fear. She held her doll to her chest, her mouth unable to form any words, her mind racing.

Before either of them could say another word, quiet steps sounded outside. A hesitant yet familiar knock followed.

"Veronica?" Haru's voice sounded outside the door.

Elizabeth's smile faltered. Her eyes lost their glint, and she pushed Veronica further into her, protecting Veronica from him.

"He has the nerve to come back," she breathed venomously.

The door creaked open, and Haru entered, his own smile splitting his face. "We are going outside."

But it was a lie in his smile when he saw Elizabeth sitting too near Veronica, her hand remaining on her shoulder.

Elizabeth's face changed at once, all sweetness except for the poison. She tilted her head, her voice taunting.

"So, Haru… still holding out for that promise of children?"

Haru blinked, a confusion crossing his features. "What… promise?"

Elizabeth's lips curled into a sly grin. She leaned in, her lips tracing Veronica's temple in a slow, possessive kiss.

"The promise you made to marry her."

Veronica blushed, her cheeks aflame. "E-Eliz!"

Haru bristled, his eyes bulging. He gazed at Veronica, his face questioning for a response, but words escaped her.

Elizabeth's red eyes glowed brighter as she spat, "She doesn't belong to you. Never has. Every breath she makes… every pulse in her heart… belongs to me."

The room fell silent. Veronica's heart pounded in agony in her chest, caught between Haru's shocked silence and Elizabeth's choking declaration.