It stood to reason that Lucifer would suspect Ajax of being involved somehow, or having indirectly helped me in some way.
Which made Ajax both my ally and my enemy.
An ally because we were now in this together.
An enemy because he hadn’t chosen to be involved in any of this at all.
I curled my knees into my chest, wrapping my arms around my shins as best I could with the cuff latched onto one wrist.
The wordsI’m sorrylingered on my tongue, although I wasn’t sure what I was apologizing for exactly. Still, they floated around in my mouth until Ajax finally reemerged. He wore a pair of gray sweats and a white T-shirt that hinted at the muscular frame beneath. His dark hair was damp from his shower, his expression one of pure exhaustion.
He flinched when he saw me curled up on the floor and muttered a spell under his breath that wove magic around my wrist.
I massaged my skin as the cuffs disappeared, my ire having died entirely in the last however many minutes. I was just as tired as he was, maybe even more so, considering everything. Or maybe less. It was hard to say.
“I’ll sleep on the couch,” he told me softly. “The bedroom is yours.”
“Well, technically it’s Az’s,” I replied, attempting to lighten the mood with a little humor.
But Ajax didn’t smile. “It’s technically a guest room meant for those Lucifer considers family, but Az is the only one who qualifies. So that’s why I said it’s his room.”
“Then it’s a bit strange he’s keeping us both here when we’re obviously not his family,” I said.
“Not strange, it’s strategic. He could put us in a dungeon, but I’m the former Warden. I know those cells better than the inmates inside them. And you’ve proved to be a magical problem that requires extreme levels of babysitting. So he’s keeping us close by where he can watch us himself.”
Yeah, that’s not ominous at all,I thought, gulping. “Right.” Although, it was admittedly kind of nice to have anusin this situation.
A realization that only made me feel guilty because there shouldn’t be anusat all.
I ran my hand over my face and yawned. A warm shower and a bed sounded amazing right about now. But I’d probably fall asleep beneath the water. So maybe I’d take a nap first.
Ajax conjured himself a pillow and a blanket, then disappeared into the kitchen to grab a water. He grabbed one for me as well, handing it to me without a word, then went to the couch to lie down. “Try to get some sleep. I think we’re both going to need it.”
Swallowing again, I nodded and started toward the bedroom. “Good night, Ajax.”
When he didn’t reply, I sighed and left him to rest.
But just as I was closing the door, I heard him whisper, “Good night, little rebel.”
CHAPTER17
TYPHOS
My bed feltcold without Melek’s presence beside me, his warmth one I typically craved when I first awoke. I instantly searched for him in my mind, needing to know he was safe and comfortable.
I miss you, too,he whispered to me, obviously sensing my need.We’re still in the Netherworld Kingdom with Maliki.
Has he given you anything useful?I asked.
He’s engaged in some sort of battle of wills with Az at present, so no.Melek sounded tired.Maliki isn’t apologetic. He said the Ghouls were hungry and someone had to feed them.
Yes, that was the same excuse he’d given me when I’d paid him a visit. Maliki had a Corpse Fae for a mother and shared a mixed-fae father with Az. Which meant they both had Paradox Fae, Corpse Fae, and Ghoul inside them.
But that had never made Az give Ghouls any special treatment. Very unlike Maliki, who felt the Ghouls were his kin, sometimes more so than the Corpse Fae. He was a complicated male that I should probably have killed for his defiance.
However, he was related to Az.
And his motives were unfortunately admirable.
