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“The world and its inhabitants are constantly changing, therefore we princes of Hell continue to sharpen our minds and skills. It is the absence of arrogance that allows us to remain the most feared. We do not believe we know all, we believe in adaptation. Adopt those same principles or you’ll end up extinct.”
“I believe you love the sound of your own voice. Maybe you should let me teach you about experiencing a wider range of emotions.”
“One day, maybe I will.”
He set his cards aside and studied me. I couldn’t tell if the dark gleam in his eyes was that of a predator circling its prey, or the sign of mild interest for other purposes. Or maybe… maybe he was admiring me in that way that someone did when they were noticing you for the first time in a different light. Stranger still, I wasn’t sure which one I hoped for more.
A flash of my desires on the beach crossed my mind.
My pulse ticked faster as he slowly leaned forward, his gaze searing into mine. For one moment, I thought he was going to kiss me. He abruptly sat back. I released a breath.
“When you first stepped onto the beach, I imagine you sensed demonic influence. Being aware is the key to fighting it. Our power lies in sensing your emotions, inflating the ones we thrive on. Once you realize that, you have the power to shift your focus and feelings elsewhere. At any moment you could have walked away from Lust’s gathering. You just needed to believe you could.”
“Are you suggesting what he did was my fault?”
Wrath stood. I hadn’t noticed how finely he was dressed, or the care he’d taken with styling his hair. He wore an inky black jacket with gold snakes embroidered on the lapels, black trousers, and boots that gleamed from a recent buffing. A few rings even glittered on his fingers. Onyx and gold, his favorite colors. He looked… good. He noticed where my attention had shifted and one side of his mouth edged up.
“I’m suggesting you have untapped power, Emilia. Twist my words, twist the meanings all you like. Such is the mortal way.”
“I’m not twisting and I’m not human. Your brothers are sadistic.”
“Princes of Hell are neither good nor evil. We just are.”
“Yeah. They just are malicious monsters.”
“And yet, you keep saying ‘they’ and don’t include me in your assessment of my brothers.” Wrath shook his head. “Why is that?”
“I…” I inhaled deeply. “Because so far, Greed, Envy, and Lust have all done terrible things. You haven’t. But that’s probably just because of the spell I used on you.”
Wrath no longer looked amused. “Practice reading people, especially when their expressions seem cold or remote. Look for their mouth tightening, their eyes darting away. Any wince or minute sign of their true feelings when you’re asking uncomfortable questions.”
“Any other tips, adaptable one?”
“You live in a realm of free will—accept that and you’ve already defeated your foes. You always have the power of choice, even when those choices seem limited. Never forget that.”
“Oh, really? Always?” My anger flamed. “Did my sister have a choice to live or die? Because I’m pretty sure someone else decided that for her.”
“There are worse fates, witch.”
“Such as?”
“Living in my world.” He turned and headed for the door. “I’ll be back in a little while. If you get bored, check the dresser by your bed.” He paused in the corridor and glanced over his shoulder. “I don’t suggest leaving the palace tonight.”
“Why not?” I called after him.
He didn’t bother answering, he was already gone. I wondered about his clothing, about the way he’d combed his hair. He looked like he wanted to make an impression.
I got up and paced around the room, peered out the window, then plopped back onto the bed. I absently twisted a lock of my hair, thinking about everything he’d said about victors and victims. Then I started thinking about free will and choices. And then I started to get annoyed that he was being a hypocrite by infringing on mine.
I sat for twenty minutes, cont
emplating why, if I had free will, I was listening to him. I had important things to do and had wasted enough time. I dressed in a simple dark gray sleeveless gown he must have recently acquired, and stole into the quickly falling night.
THIRTY-SEVEN
Candles of Darkness should only be used under the direst of circumstances. Light a navy or deep purple candle, sprinkle a handful of niter powder around its base, and call forth evil from the farthest reaches of the north and south.
—Notes from the di Carlo grimoire
