Axel glanced around the quiet corner of the alley, the distant hum of traffic a reminder that this place, while secluded, wasn't far from the public eye. He looked down at the bloodied, trembling man at his feet—the gang leader who had foolishly thought him an easy target.
"This area is too close to the road," Axel said in a low, almost amused voice. "If you scream too loudly, someone might come running. So here's what we'll do: I'll break your jaw first. If you blink when you're ready to talk, I'll fix it for you. Or," he paused with a smile that could chill bone, "you can be an honourable criminal to the end. I'm free tonight, I can keep you company all evening."
The gang leader's entire body began to shudder. To him, Axel no longer looked human. That flawless, pretty face was nothing short of a devil's mask, beautiful and horrifying in equal measure. Panic settled into his bones. Why did this man know how to break jaws... and fix them?
