Zeph's POV
"Stop doing that," she says, her voice breaking as she wipes blood from her split lip with the back of her hand.
"No," I say firmly, keeping my hands on her face so she has to look at me. "Yes, I hid it from you. I admit that. I was scared of how you'd react. I was terrified because I knew you were going to see yourself as a monster and I couldn't bear that thought."
"I am a monster," she cries, fresh tears streaming down her already tear-stained cheeks. "Stop sugar coating it, Zeph. I killed people. I tore them apart with my bare hands and I didn't even remember doing it. That's what monsters do."
"No, baby," I say, pulling her closer even as she tries to push me away. "You're not a monster. You're special and unique and powerful. And the people who got hurt? They deserved
