He could hear the ocean waves nearby soothing and peaceful. His mind never fully rested. Never. But, here he could ease his thoughts away from his past. Away from regrets.

Her hand rubbed up and down his arm and he found he enjoyed it. Not just the touch, but the feeling that filled his being at the thought of being so accepted. At the thought of someone complimenting him.

An invisible blade of fire drew across the flesh of his shoulders and down his back. He had no idea what the mark was, but he felt the spread of magic forever etched into his skin.

I was told to ask for Adam Frankenstein. He would be large and scarred and terrifying.

Celeste told me the mask would help me see people for who and what they really are. So we'd never make the mistake of hurting an innocent.

He was everything he’d been created to be. A monster. A bastard. A killer. Had it not been for the dog, he’d have no use for any gentle feelings whatsoever.

I have no soul.” She couldn’t fool him into believing she could see something that he knew wasn’t there. If he had a soul he’d be able to die and try as he might, he could not.

[...]some men become monsters at the mercy of lust. Just as some men find their honor while mastering such base instincts.

The girl’s smile was so beautiful and sweet he knew that if kindness had a face, this was it.