AllFreeNovel
Share Us
As if the thought was my own, my lungs expand, and I drag in a deep, steadying breath. It takes me a moment to realize that I didn’t make the decision to calm down. Nor did I tell myself to breathe.
“You just spoke in my head.” I blink at him, my knees becoming weak as I struggle to understand what just happened.
“No, I pushed a thought into your mind.”
“That is… That’s not okay. You have no business being inside my—”
He silences me with a pointed glare. “I can’t read your thoughts, nor would I, even if I had that power. The only thing I can do is push my own voice out or speak commands into your head and it’s not something I do lightly.”
Is that all?Though, he has had countless opportunities to control me. If he wanted to make me into an elven puppet, he would’ve by now. Yet, that was the first time I’ve felt such a thing.
He leans forward, his voice low and earnest. "I can perform the magic needed, safely. I would not jeopardize both of our lives if I thought it wouldn’t work. Griffin is fae and blood magic works differently for them. No one is dying, and no one is losing a soul… at least not for long.”
I nod, aware of every place he’s touching me. The rough calluses of his hand stroking down my bare arm, squeezing my hand. The way his gaze seems to caress me, to hold me in some mystical trance. Even the air between us seems to vibrate, reveling in the shadow of his power.
For the first time, I understand why people used to throw themselves at the feet of the old gods.Fuck, I might’ve too just to bask in their grace. It’s magical and tantalizing, and thewarmth of that power on my flesh… I’ve never felt more safe. Yet, everything I’ve been taught about demons, about people like Asmo, says otherwise.
Ripping myself from the trance, I met Asmo’s amber gaze, a hint of concern lurking there. So little, I almost miss it. "Even fae blood won’t completely prevent the drain upon your spirit. You’ll have to anchor yourself to something or someone on this plane…" I trail off, realization dawning.It’s me. I’m not the sacrifice. I'm the anchor.
Did he know about these ghosts before our deal? Was that why he was willing to spare me?
Asmo pinches my chin, lifting my face as if he’s about to kiss me. “And that’s what I have you for, Starlight. You’ll get to lead me back from the brink of death.”
“You barely know me. What if I don’t want to help you?”
His breath is warm against my cheeks. “You don’t have a choice.”
He could command me. Maybe that’s one of his exceptions for using his gift to push thoughts into people’s heads.
“Let’s go, love birds. We have things to do and graves to rob,” Griffin yells, and the termlove birdshas something stirring in my gut. Something bad.
Asmodeus doesn’t let me go, just continues to study my face a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he releases me and inclines his head. "You’ll have to trust me, for now."
“I don’t even trust the man who gave me life, and yet you want me to trust you?” I lose a breath.
“Try.”
My mind turns over endless possibilities and pitfalls that await us. A mad feeling has settled into my very core as we leave the keep and travel through the dim forest, but there’s no turning back.
The graves are tucked away just past the wall and when we reach the stone boundary, Griffin hangs back. Asmo grips my hand, the shock of his skin touching mine stealing my words, and before I know it, shadows and light fold in around us and we’re on the other side.
“You didn’t think I was going to let you climb a tree again, did you?” He smirks down at me, his hand lingering a bit too long. I pluck his fingers off my arm, using the minimal number of digits necessary for the job.
“Don’t worry, I’m laughing on the inside.” Rolling my eyes, I search for the tree I marked, finding it off to our right. “It’s that way.”
“What I want to know is how did you get them over the wall? I saw how gracefully you crossed on your own. You expect me to believe you dragged multiple bodies over that and lived?” He points a thumb over his shoulder at the boundary.
“The wall wasn’t spelled when I was here, and I made a door. Had you let me, I would’ve shown it to you.” Crossing my arms, I twist my lips.
“Hmmm, I see.” Something tells me he doesn’t believe me, but I’d rather not waste my time.
“Do you know your ears twitch when you’re frustrated?” He cocks his head, his eyes drifting back and forth over my face like he’s reading something written there.
I don’t answer.
Of course, he’d point that out. As if I haven’t been teased about it my entire life. No one else’s ears twitch. Why the hell do mine? And worse, no matter how hard I try not to, it always happens.
Fingers curled into fists at my sides, I lead Asmo through the trees, our footsteps soft against the carpet of fallen leaves. The cool night air has goosebumps forming along my bare arms. Then, as if sensing my need, something warm settles over my shoulders. Fur brushes against my neck and I pause.
