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I keep my smile to myself, feeling like I’ve won a round.
“We should get going,” I say. “The witch doesn’t take kindly to tardiness.”
But she doesn’t move. “If it’s always dark here, how can you possibly know that it’s morning?”
“We do keep time here,” I say, my brow rising.
Her eyes narrow, and she changes the subject. “Why are you following me?”
“We have plans.”
“You have a plan. I didn’t agree to it.”
“You are that afraid of touching me?”
“I’m not afraid of you at all.”
“Prove it then. Come with me to see the witch.”
She glares at me, and I know my challenge won’t go unanswered. “Fine. But the moment my curse is gone, I’m leaving Tartarus. Without you.”
“You can leave when the Crimson Roses are no longer after you.”
Her brows lift. “Even if my curse isn’t gone?”
“Of course. I only want you to be safe.”
It’s a lie. I want so much more than that, but now’s not the time to negotiate those terms.
She bites her lip, and I find myself completely fucking mesmerized by the sight of her mouth. “How do I know you’re not trying to lure me away to kill me?”
My brow lifts. “I thought you were the one with that agenda.”
She scowls.
“Besides, I should think your poisoned skin is enough of a defense against anything I might try.”
The list of what I might try is much more extensive than she knows.
“You breathe fire,” she points out. “My skin won’t stop that.”
“I guess that means you’ll have to trust me.”
“Well, I don’t. Speaking of which, where’s Kendall? She promised to come with me and?—”
“She won’t be joining us.”
“Excuse me?”
“This witch does nothing without payment. I’ve arranged for you and only you. If you bring Kendall into this, I can’t guarantee the witch won’t demand something of her in return.”
Not to mention how fucking dangerous Tartarus is today. The moon fever isn’t the first impression I want to give her of this place, either. If I’d known it would affect me, I would have never bargained with the witch for today’s appointment.
Tori bites her lip.
I track the movement, completely distracted by it until she sighs and says, “Deal.”
I gesture to the door at her back, pretending I’m not fighting the urge to press her against the stone wall and fuck her until she comes or I’m dead or both. “After you.”
