Cervera laughed again, a laugh freighted with the terrible ring of madness.
"Did it hurt you?" she screamed, with her glittering eyes raised to search his. "Perdition! I hope so! You have tortured me with a thousand fears. I'd like to repay you with a thousand pangs!"
Nick's eyes took on an ugly gleam.
"Why don't you do so, then?" he growled.
"I would, if I had the time," cried Cervera, through her teeth.
"You have all there is."
"Ten thousand times I'd thrust it into you—thus! thus!"
Nick set his jaws and met the blade without flinching.
Twice the vicious demon thrust it through his clothing, and now two crimson stains of blood on his shirt front followed the withdrawal of the weapon.
"See! see!" screamed Cervera, triumphantly, with her terrible face upturned to his gaze. "You're beginning to bleed! Did you know that the sight of blood affects me as it does a leopard? I thirst for more—if that of one I hate! When next I strike you, I shall strike deeper!"