“I’m not strangling her,” he replied mildly. “Just reminding her who’s boss.”
“Kick him in the balls,” Clarissa’s voice bloomed in Lia’s mind.
“I wouldn’t recommend it,” Earl replied aloud. He sent a pulse of energy backwards, and Aiden convulsed. “You’re mine, Lia. Your friends are mine. Soon, everything will be mine, and you will help me achieve it.” He gave her a little shake.
More air filtered through his crushing fingers, but this time it felt thick and sluggish. It had heft and mass, and it lowered her back to the floor.
“Focus on lift,” Clarissa yelled. “Will it. Believe in yourself, Lia. You’re not just a fat human with artistic aspirations. You are so much more. I’ve always known it. Your mother didn’t leave because of something you did.”
“She just needed to come home,” the b
