There was a pregnant tension in every inch of that twenty-foot radius where everyone stood. Wherever Matias's eyes traced Dante's body, he found another unit of gore. Some were fresher than others, still healing over pink, glistening meat. Yet here Dante was, alive, somehow.

Matias huffed.

"Look," he grumbled, "as much as I don't want to put fuel in the fire, I have to agree. I really don't know why you're putting up with all this. For [i]us[/i]? I say quit it, for your and our sake."

He folded his arms, side eyeing the detective now.