The Mafia's Mermaid Bride
Anhourago,LucaValentiwasstillinsideme.NowI'mstrappedtoachairinhisbasement,andhe'scuttingoffmyface.Thebladetracestheseambehindmyear.Themaskripsfromthefleshunderneath.Bloodrunsdownmyjaw,dripsontomybarebreasts.Iscream.Hedoesn'tflinch.Hepeelsthemaskfree.Myfacedanglesfromhisfingers,dripping.MysisterSelenetakesitfromhishand.Pressesittoherownface.Theskinfusesinstantly—cheekbones,lips,eyelidsbloomingintoplacelikesomethingalive.Sixyearsago,mysisterandIwereSirenschoosingourmasksbeforegoingashore.Humanskin