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“If it’s my still-beating heart, I’m afraid I must decline.”
“No, but I imagine you’ll end up giving that to my brother one day.”
His tone was flat. I wondered if Wrath knew how jealous he was, but said nothing.
“Perhaps we can strike a bargain. If you agree to sell your soul to House Envy, I will help you find what you seek.” His expression was inhuman and ice cold as he waited. The hair on the nape of my neck stood at attention. “I covet unique things. You would make an interesting gift to my court. Do you sing?”
“I’m not unique.” Nor was I a “thing” or a “gift” to be passed around like a curiosity at a party.
“Aren’t you, though?” He smiled. “It’s been a great long while since I last saw a shadow witch. I should like very much for you to join my House.”
I didn’t know what he meant by shadow witch, and it was the least of my worries. An image of humans and witches frozen solid as morbid displays on a grand checkerboard crossed my mind. Envy seemed like the kind of demon who’d proudly show off his trophies, hoping others would be struck with jealousy over his coveted possessions.
I swallowed my growing panic, unsure if it was an image he’d fed to me. I didn’t want to ever find out if that fear held any kernel of truth.
“Well?” Envy asked, an edge creeping into his tone. “Are you willing to join my House? I can offer protection from my realm and my brothers. You’ll certainly need it, especially with all of the unfortunate murders here of late.”
My heart drummed madly. There was an old proverb Nonna always muttered that claimed “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t” and I’d never felt the truth in something more. If given a choice between bargaining with Wrath or Envy, I’d choose Wrath.
I had little doubt that Envy would love nothing more than to take his deadly blade to my skin and slowly peel away the layers, discovering what exactly made me a shadow witch.
Whatever that was.
Knowing a little of their rigid, well-mannered ways, I didn’t want to anger him by declining too soon. After what felt like an entire millennium had passed of me pretending to consider his offer, I finally said, “Not at this time, thank you.”
He seemed on the verge of arguing his point, but suddenly inclined his head as if in deference. His gaze tracked back to the tattoo on my arm.
“Very well. Even we princes of Hell don’t know what the future may hold. You may change your mind, or alter your views yet. I will still accept you when and if you choose my House over my brother’s.” The demon turned and headed for the opposite end of the street, pausing at the crossroad to glance back. “Be warned; the others grow weary. If they haven’t already started hunting, they will come for you soon. Let this serve as your warning, and as a boon from House Envy. Pick a House to align yourself with, or the decision will be made for you.”
SIXTEEN
Nearby, fire crackled. Smoke followed soon after, slithering through the air like a fleeing serpent. When I first saw the Prince of Wrath in the monastery, I’d heard a similar sound. Maybe fire and smoke had something to do with how demons traveled between realms.
Now that Envy was gone, my breaths were coming hard and fast, almost matching the frantic pounding of my heart. Eighteen years of hiding from the Malvagi, and I’d just been trapped with one who’d used his powers on me. And I survived. I wanted to either laugh or vomit. Before I managed either, I needed to convince my knees to stop quaking.
Holy goddess, that was the most harrowing experience I’d ever had. If my sister had gotten involved with the Wicked, unraveling her secrets while remaining safe just got harder. I wasn’t sure I’d be so lucky the next time I met a prince of Hell alone. They altered the very space around them. And it didn’t look like it had taken much energy—if any at all—for Envy to do that. I glanced down the street. It was still blessedly empty. Before Envy showed up, I’d been on my way to the monastery. Claudia mentioned Domenico was there, and I thought it might be time to ask him if he knew what—
Fear gripped me until I could hardly breathe. Envy said I had something he wanted. Besides my cornicello, which I’d tucked inside my bodice where he couldn’t see it, and Wrath’s dagger, I didn’t have anything on me. But Claudia had my sister’s diary, and if the Malvagi could truly sense it, then Envy might already be hunting her down this very moment.
If anything happened to her…
I took off toward her home, running so fast I almost lost my sandals as my feet pounded uneven stones. I ran harder, focusing solely on getting to Claudia’s house before the demon did. I jumped over baskets laid out, past chamber pots and chickens t
hat ran through the side streets. I dodged laundry lines and managed to only bump into one unpleasant fisherman as I skidded to a halt outside Claudia’s door.
I grabbed the iron knocker and pounded until a candle flared to life upstairs. Claudia poked her head out from the window on the second story.
“Emilia? Blood and bones. You scared me! Hang on.”
I whipped around, scanning the dark street. There was no sign I’d been followed. I also didn’t feel any sort of presence watching, and I hoped that meant Envy was somewhere far away.
A moment later, the bolt slid loudly and the door swung open. Claudia motioned for me to come inside. I rushed in and slammed the door behind me, breathing hard.
“What the devil is wrong, Emilia?”
“Is your aunt home?”
“Not yet. She stayed a little later at the booth tonight. What happened?” She held up her candle, searching my face. “You look terrible.”
