“Congratulations, Kaelene,” A low, rough voice murmurs. “That room was covered in runes. You’ve impressed me.”
I turn, facing the son of a bitch. “For the last time, it’sKae.”
Azael passes me, approaching the edge to glance sidelong at the crowd. They disperse immediately, looking embarrassed to have been caught in their foolish nonsense… And there goes my chance to jump.
“You would have broken your legs from this height,” he muses, slipping his hands in his pockets before turning to look at me. I meet his emerald eyes with defiance, glaring at him through lowered lashes.
I’m fucking furious.
“How long were you going to leave me in there to rot?”
“Two weeks.” His gaze skims over me. “Or until something like that happened. I’ll admit, though, I thought it unlikely… Now where am I supposed to put you?”
I feel his magic prodding at me, looking for weaknesses.Good. The only thing he’s going to pick up is my spite and rage, and I want him to feel every bit of that. “Not in a goddamn prison cell.”
My eyes slip back to the edge. Breaking my legs might be worth it if it means I don’t have to spend another second with him?—
“I’d rather not have to heal the opposition, but if you insist, you’re free to try it.” Nonchalantly, he waves a tattooed hand toward the rubble. “Go ahead. Jump. If you get a running start, you might even make it to the pool.”
After a moment’s hesitation, I swear under my breath.
“That’s what I thought. Perhaps you’ve learned something from the Power yet.” He tilts his head to the side, making his cheekbones even more prominent than they already were. “Howdidthe little bird break out of her cage?”
I breathe out slowly. I’d rather not make a deal with the devil, but it seems I’m out of options. “I’ll tell you how if you let me leave this godforsaken room already.”
Azael chuckles lowly, taking a fraction of a step forward. I can already see my reflection in his eyes, which is way too close for comfort. Unconsciously, I take a half-step backward, sending a bit of rubble tumbling off the edge.
“I should have captured you a long time ago. This isfartoo amusing.” Sadistic pleasure fills his eyes, and he holds out his hand. “Come, then. I’ll reward you with a touch of freedom.”
I look at it in severe distaste before bulldozing past him, mumbling creative insults to myself about how much of a bottom-dwelling cuck he is.
Outside the iron door, I feel like I can breathe again for the first time since I got here. The hallway is made of white stone, perhaps marble, that matches the Parthenon style of the atrium that I just partially destroyed.
Truly, everything looks like ancient Rome with a touch of modern updates.
Reluctantly letting Azael take the lead, I follow him down a side hallway, descending a set of stairs. Right before we turn the corner, though, we’re greeted by a beautiful—and entirely nude—woman.
I stare in a mixture of shock and horror.
She only smiles back, her red lips the same shade as her obscenely long hair. It falls like blood-red silk over her porcelain skin, which is full of unnatural and dramatic curves. I guess she doesn’t have to worry about back pain, being whatever nonhuman creature she clearly is…
“Why, hello there,” she greets me with a sultry, velvet-smooth voice, as if she’s trying to seduce me. “I’m Ananelilith. You must be the girl we’ve heard so much about. Aren’t you just magnificent?”
I glance at Azael, my eyes begging for an explanation, but he doesn’t seem to notice. He just looks at her, unamused, and grumbles, “Ana, what have I said about clothes in the common areas?”
Her smile grows, flashing her pearly white teeth—along with a pair of sharp fangs. “Apologies, Primus. I was assisting in the field today, and it seems I’m having trouble, mmm… getting out of character.”
“Oh, for the love of—” He pinches his nose, exasperated. “How many times do I have to tell you to leavethatkind of work to your litter of children? We have more important uses for your time. Dress yourself and meet us for dinner. Now.”
She flips her hair back, pointedly exposing her bare breasts, before giving a slight bow. “As you wish.”
“Such insolence,” Azael mutters to himself before beckoning me into the next room. I follow, resisting the urge to watch the bold and potentially insane woman strut away. I wish I could have that kind of unerring confidence in my naked body.
The foyer we enter is a gorgeous, interesting cross between Greco-Roman architecture and the Victorian era. Tall ceilings are supported by marble columns, yet the walls are plastered in elaborate red wallpaper. It’s a sitting room of some sort, with dainty tea couches placed around—oh dear God what is that?—
I stumble backward, eyes wide.
There’s a beast unlike anything I’ve ever seen before, curled up on the entirety of one loveseat. It is, perhaps, a very large dog, but it must have been dragged straight from Hell.
