Page 53 of Realm of the Wicked

‘Stella,’ she began sweetly, like sugar. ‘It’s good to see you settled into the Fringe so well. I was worried.’

‘I wasn’t.’ Wherever she was going with this, it was nowhere good.

‘Clarissa, whatever you’re doing—’ Damien started.

‘Hush, Damien. Us girls are talking.’ A quick switch of her appearance and scales trailed over her skin. A moment later, they were gone.

I met Damien’s gaze, trying to figure out what I should do. I took his silence as reluctant acceptance.

‘Damien treats you well, from what I’ve seen. Surely, you’d want to offer him the same respect.’

‘Of course.’

Her eyes turned laser sharp, pinning me in place. ‘So why is it when I asked for something as simple as your soul in stasis, you haven’t done it?’

My eyes widened, heart thundering. Was this it? I hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye.

Damien threw his silverware down. ‘Clarissa. You may be my equal, but I’ll remind you that this is still my house.’

‘That the Council of Hell graciously offered you in exchange for your services.’

Clarissa was calm. Way too calm. In contrast, I could see the fury blazing behind Damien’s gaze, despite his also calm voice. Maybe if I didn’t know him, I wouldn’t have even noticed it. My breath was coming harder, my vision fading around the edges. But I wouldn’t let myself crack, not in front of her.

‘We both know the requirement of the souls in stasis is an outdated rule, one that was necessary long ago when the population was smaller and there weren’t enough souls coming in to maintain the Balance Hell required,’ Damien explained. ‘The rules have required updating for a millennium at least, which I’m more than happy to explain to the Council.’

This was his plan? To outwit her with outdated laws?

Clarissa laughed. ‘If you think I want her soul because Hell requires it, you’re sorely mistaken. I want her soul because it will kill you.’ She got to her feet, Lars and Silas also rising, and tossed down her napkin.

My body screamed at me to run, but I wouldn’t give her that satisfaction.

Damien also stood. ‘You will not have her soul. I collected her. Therefore her soul is mine to do with as I wish. Keep it intact, crush it into a million pieces, send her back to Earth, it is mine to do with as I please,’ he snarled.

My veins suddenly felt icy cold, hearing them both talk about me like I was property, even Damien. Was that all I was to him?

Clarissa was glaring at me now, saying something I needed to tune into, even as much as I wanted to fade away. She looked more demonic than I’d ever seen, scales covering every inch of her skin now. ‘…because your boyfriend thinks he’s found a loophole for not giving me your soul, he’s very mistaken. I’ll be back to check on you soon. I know you wouldn’t want Damien to suffer, would you?’

Guilt twisted in my stomach, tight and tangled. Clarissa was a snake hidden behind a beautiful face, used to getting what she wanted. And right now, she wanted Damien to suffer.

I was merely a means to an end to her. What she had against him, I had no idea, but it didn’t change the outcome. The shock came from thinking Damien might feel the same way. My heart picked up speed again, blasting through my bloodstream. Clarissa was still speaking, saying words to Damien that made little sense by the time they reached my ears, and I didn’t care any longer. Damien must have known something was off with me, because his eyes didn’t leave mine, even as his mouth twisted, spewing responses to Clarissa.

If I gripped the table any tighter, I would snap it. I meant something to him. I had to.

Clarissa turned on her heel with one last taunt, her lackeys following close behind. The room closed in, the walls creeping nearer. The air was zapped, completely gone. Maybe Clarissa had taken it when she left.

Agatha sighed. ‘I’ll start the dishes, I suppose. Clarissa and her goons always demand everything and then barely touch more than a bite.’ She left, leaving Damien, myself, and my destroyed heart in the room.

‘Stella—’

I stumbled to my feet, clutching at the table like it was the only thing keeping me afloat. ‘I’m sorry. I have to go. I have to…’

I staggered out of the room, desperate for fresh air, or at least for air that Clarissa hadn’t tainted. I pressed my back against the wall, hands pressed against my eyes. It was fine. It was all fine. I wanted this.

‘Stella, look at me.’ Damien was there, pulling my hands away. ‘Breathe for me, Bambi. Deep breaths, in and out.’

I did as he asked, taking deep breaths, trying to steady the overwhelming thoughts.

‘I meant what I said. I’m not going to let her take your soul. I promised you that.’