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“No.”
“You have no idea what you’ve done. I need to know the exact phrasing. Now, witch.”
I was pretty sure what I did, aside from royally annoy him, was ensure neither of us ended up dead by the other’s hand. The tattoos likely acted as a magical bond of sorts. Unbinding us so he could rip out my heart like he’d done to my sister was the last thing I’d do.
“Unbelievable,” I scoffed. “Demanding things when you’re not the one with the power here.” His expression was one of pure disgust. I hoped it mirrored my own. “I need to know who you are and why you killed my sister. Since you can’t go back to your Hell dimension without me allowing it, I suggest playing by my rules.”
I couldn’t be sure, but there was a shift in the atmosphere around us, and I had the strangest impression his power slithered out, circled me, then slunk away. His nostrils flared. He was raging against the magical leash I’d put on him, straining to snap free. I watched, a small spiteful smile curving my lips. If he didn’t hate me before, I’d accomplished that tenfold now. Perfect. It seemed we finally understood each other.
“One day I’m going to be free of this bond. Think very carefully about that.”
I stepped close to him, angling my face up. “One day, I’m going to find a way to kill you. Think very carefully about that. Now, tell me who you are and why you wanted Vittoria dead.”
He offered me a smile that probably made men piss themselves; I refused to give in to fear. “Very well. Since you only have minimal time to hold me here, and have already wasted precious minutes with your poor excuse of an assassination attempt, I’ll play your game. I am the Prince of Wrath, general of war, and one of the feared Seven.”
Before I could blink, he trailed a finger down my throat, pausing at the vein that throbbed beneath my skin. Undiluted dread shot through me. I shoved his hand away, and stepped out of the summoning circle. I noticed the scattered bones and scrambled to put them back in place.
His grin turned into something sharp and wicked.
“Congratulations, witch. You’ve succeeded in getting my full attention. I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”
Arrogance dripped off him. Only a fool wouldn’t be terrified of the beast I sensed lurking beneath his skin. He radiated power—vast and ancient. I had little doubt he could end my life with nary a thought.
All the same, the corner of my lips twitched.
Then, without warning, I bent over and began laughing. The sound bounced off the walls of the cave, magnifying until I wanted to plug my ears. I clutched my stomach, practically heaving from my outburst. Perhaps I was going insane. This night had gone from bad to worse faster than I could have ever imagined. I couldn’t believe I’d summoned a prince of Hell. I couldn’t believe royal demons existed. The world was downside up and upside down.
“I’m glad imminent death is so amusing,” he snapped. “It’ll make it all the more satisfying to slaughter you. And I promise your death will not be quick. I will glory in the kill.”
I waved him off like he was no more fearsome than a housefly. I could practically feel anger vibrating off him and winding its way into me. Even still, I had a feeling he was holding himself back. A lot. It was unsettling.
“Why, pray tell, are you laughing so hard?”
I straightened and wiped the corners of my eyes. “What, exactly, should I call you? Your highness? Oh, Feared and Mighty Seven? General Commander of Hell? Or Prince Wrath?”
A muscle in his jaw strained as he held my gaze.
“One day you’ll call me Death. For now, Wrath will do.”
ELEVEN
A prince of Hell will never give their true name to their enemies. They can only be summoned through an object
that belongs to them along with a powerful emotion. Their powers are tied to the sins they represent. Beware, for they are selfish beings who wish to use you for their gain.
—Notes from the di Carlo grimoire
“Wrath?” I didn’t bother hiding my incredulous tone. Setting aside the extremely melodramatic “you’ll call me Death” line, the whole obscene night ceased being funny in the this-can’t-be-happening-cruel-fate kind of way. First, I’d been convinced he was a witch hunter and had murdered Vittoria because of what she was, only to discover he was one of the creatures we’d been hiding from our whole lives. Then, to have the demon who killed my sister within my grasp and not be able to harm him…
I must have really annoyed some goddess to be punished this horribly. His stupid name and all of his titles were the least of my concerns, but the anger pouring off him as I laughed made me inclined to torment him over it.
“That’s ridiculous. I’m not calling you by an emotion. What’s your true name?”
He pinned me with a cold stare as I retrieved his dagger. “My true name doesn’t concern you. Address me by my House title. Unless you’d like to call me His Royal Highness of Undeniable Desire. That’s always an acceptable option. If you want to bow, I wouldn’t mind that, either. A little groveling goes a long way. I may grant you a boon and make your death swift.”
My lip involuntarily curled. “Are you sure you’re of House Wrath? If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were general to a vacuous, shirtless battalion belonging to House Narcissism.”
His expression was anything but friendly. “You flatter me. If you’re so repulsed by my company, why not set me free?”
