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It’s a cruel fate that A
But she does have the hilt—the Sword of Righteousness that the nun gave her. I wonder what kind of damage she could do with it tonight. How many Dukes could she kill before she’s taken down? Does she have it in her?
We’re momentarily halted by a load of people spilling out of a club. A
I am flooded with a blinding sense of joy at this simple contact from A
I lead her quickly into a small alcove stairway where we rush down, away from the others. It’s dark and smells of damp earth as I turn her to face me and press my mouth to hers. She doesn’t push me away; she pulls me closer. She meets my fierceness with her own, and together we heat each other in the icy air. Our frozen noses and cheeks thaw. Even the air around us steams with warmth. We cling and taste and breathe each other’s breaths.
This stolen kiss tells me everything I need to know. A
We break the kiss and I press my forehead to hers. Our breath clouds around us, too hot for the winter air. I watch her as she touches my face, and I can’t understand how anyone could want to hurt her. I don’t want to live in a world where someone like A
I would trade places with her if I could. In fact, if A
When Ginger orders us up from the stairwell, back to reality, everything is a blur. I take a long draw from the flask, relishing the burn and how it dulls my senses. Is this what it’s like, when you know you’re going to die? I’m a zombie as we make our way down into the comedy club for the summit. A dead man walking.
The six of us sit as far from the Dukes as possible. The Aussie Neph guarding the door doesn’t find the knives hidden in the compartments of my boots. I bend down at our table while everyone’s busy and take them out, sliding them into my pockets. Blake notices, his jaw tightening. He won’t look directly at me, but he’s blinking and I know he wants to ask me what the hell I’m thinking.
I lace my fingers over my abdomen and lean back. When the time comes, I don’t want him involved. I don’t expect anyone to try to save me.
I drink more.
Father takes the stage and I stare without expression as he cordially welcomes the Dukes and Legio
“Your life is not your own. You were bred to serve us. . . . There is one among you who has been warned, and yet still chooses poorly.”
Has been warned? Was A
“Gerlinda. Daughter of Kobal.”
Bloody hell. My eyes shoot around the room as it all becomes clear.
It’s not about A
I school my body and my face not to react. I must not exhale loudly or slump with relief. I sit rigidly and take a celebratory sip of bourbon, though I’m quite buzzed enough to block any bond from showing.
I lean forward and steal a glance toward A
She is staring at the stage and the Neph Gerlinda with unguarded horror, as if she might scream or cry as the Dukes begin to heckle.
No, A
Shite, she needs to just stare at the wall and try to block it out or something. But every time I glance down she’s fervently watching, even moving her lips.
Please, A
She is making me so nervous. If she can just make it through this, we’ll all be all right. I know it’s cruel of me, but I don’t care about Gerlinda or what’s happening to her onstage. I can block it out. I can only hope Belial has taught this skill to A
I’m begi
The entire room tenses and I look up for the first time, allowing myself to fully see what’s happening. Rahab has raised the gun to the Neph woman’s head. I’ve never seen anyone die before. I start to shift my eyes away when I hear a lovely voice call out from several seats down, and my heart stops.
“No!” A
Oh, my God. Her voice rings in my ears, echoing. No, no, no . . .
Everyone turns toward our tables, staring in shock. Rahab yells, “Which of you dares to speak out at this sacred summit?”
This ca
The room begins to spin as they bring A
Does he have a plan?
It’s taking every ounce of my energy to remain seated while A
Father waves a hand in the air, and my stomach drops when he speaks. “Good Hades, Belial! She’s still a virgin!”
The room gasps in unison. Blake flinches next to me, and Kope scoots forward. Marna covers her mouth, but Ginger slaps her hand quickly down.
The Dukes argue about how to deal with A
A
Rahab points to the gun on the table and snarls at A
Shite. She will not pull that trigger. And he knows it. Everything with these bastards is a test or a game. And the rules are always stacked to ensure our failure.