the sweetly scented killer

peachy

flora

Seth doesn't say anything when the show is about to begin.

I turn away from him, and he does the same. He called me his wife earlier, which was odd to hear. I mean, by being his mate, I am his wife, and he's my husband. I just never thought I would hear him use that title. And definitely not so soon.

A man in a tuxedo walks onto the stage. The audience claps for a bit, and when it subsides, he welcomes us to this "special event". He introduces himself as Ignus, but claims that his identity is evident.

"A serial killer," Ignus starts, roaming the stage with a microphone in hand. "One of our favorites, am I right, ladies and gentleman?"  The spectators cheer in agreement. Seth claps, and so I do as well. "Not just any serial killer, a famous one. But, let's make this more interesting. I want you to guess who it is. When you get it, clap for his accomplishments."

Two men bring out a significantly shorter man in a straitjacket. He keeps his head down, but one of the men raises it, and forces him to face the theatre before him.

My mate starts clapping almost at the same time as the rest of the audience emits a thundering ovation.

I clap quietly, as I have no clue who this man is.

Ignus laughs. "I knew you guys would get it!" he exclaims over the roaring onlookers. As Ignus continues his hosting, I start to recognize fear creeping in on me. But it's not my own.

I look at Alora, and she's resting her head on her husband's shoulder while he seems to be trying to console her. I frown, following her worried gaze to the man being praised on stage. My stomach twists, a foreboding wave washing over my body.

He wasn't looking at me. He wasn't even paying attention to me, but Seth suddenly turns my way.

"What's wrong?" he asks. I frown in horror at him, tears blurring my vision.

"Is something bad going to happen to him?" I whisper. Seth opens his mouth to say something, but doesn't follow through. I spot Seth's father escorting Alora off of their balcony.

My attention is dragged back to the stage when a guillotine appears in front of the man. I jump back in my seat.

"Flora, it's okay," Seth tries to calm me down, resting his hand on the back of my chair. The cheers of the audience fill my ears, making them ring.

"A moment we've all been waiting for!" Ignus shouts. I whimper in fear. The man's head is forced into the hole, despite his struggling.

"No," I whisper in fear.

"Flora, look away," Seth tells me, trying to turn me in the opposite direction. But I just can't. The excitement of the people around me, and the fear of the man on his knees keep my eyes wide, and glued to the scene.

"Any last words?" Ignus says playfully. He kneels and puts the microphone to the man's mouth.

"I regret it," the man shrieks. "I regret it all!"

"Ready, boys?!" Ignus grins a wide toothy grin. The crowd is screaming with anticipation.

"No," I cry.

Seth places his hand on my cheek. "Flora--"

"Three!"

"No!"

"Two!"

I barely hear it over the audience, and I don't see it.

When I open my eyes, all I see is Seth's back. He turned my head away at the last second, and I didn't have to see this man lose his head. Though I know it happened. Because the people around us can't calm down.