"Really?" I frowned. I'd had no idea the hairpin was more than just a pretty accessory.
"Yes." He nodded, then gave my room a cursory glance. "Is this truly the life you want? You'd been determined to become an artist, now a nun?"
"Not a nun yet, and I'm still an artist."My words came out fast, defensive.
"But are you?" He pointed to the small desk in a corner of my room. "The only art I see here are doodles in a gradebook. I know self-punishment when I see it. You more to contribute to the world than becoming an old crone who enjoys guilt-shaming the faithful."
"I'm servingGod." I'd repeated those three words so many times it felt more like a mantra than a statement.
"Perhaps. But you're also serving a deep-seated need for penance."
He's right, damn him.I'd become so obsessed with my guilt, I'd chosen a life with no passion or joy.I am not serving God; I'm serving myself.This revelation stunned me. How had I not seen what Lucian so easily deduced?
"You have a gift, Anna, and I don't just mean with painting." He tapped a finger against his lips. "I think you know what I'm talking about."
I shrugged. "No. Idon'tknow what you're talking about."
He laughed, the sound rich and dark. "You enjoy taking things from people."
My jaw dropped and my face turned into a hot oven. "Wh-what? I do not."It's not stealing if I return the items. More like borrowing.
"I watched you at the bar." He continued to laugh softly.
I'm sure my eyes were daggers. "Y-you…I…" I couldn't stop sputtering.
"Why did you take that man's wallet, and then return it a few minutes later?"
"Helostit."
"Oh yes, he did. Your fingers just happened to find it."
My brain couldn't form a coherent sentence. My ears burned.
He held up his hands. "You have no need to feel shamed in front of me." Leaning forward, his lips touched my earlobe. "But back to what I think is going on. When I restored your sight, a trickle of my power must've also transferred. When you handle certain personal items, you get a glimpse into the owner's soul."
I was still stuck on his low-key accusation. "I'mnota thief, I—"
"Well, you're not a very good thief, at least." He chuckled.
Irritation replaced the embarrassment. "I returned everything before he even knew it was gone."I mean, seriously, it's not stealing if I gave it back.
"I have need of your ability in my realm." He ran the tip of a finger along his jawline, as if thinking. "Not many of my Chosen can see into the souls of others, hence the need for my judgment."
"Maybe it's because it's been such an emotional day, but I'm not following you." I needed a week of sleep to get my tangled emotions in order.
"I'm asking if you'd be interested in working for me? Or rather,withme?"
"What?" His question shocked me. "Absolutely not. I could never punish—"
"I'm not asking you to hurt people. I'm asking you to help me judge those who arrive. A partnership of sorts."
"But isn't Hell full of ugly volcanic rocks and smells like a rotten egg?" No way would I want to work under those conditions.Wait. I am not seriously considering this, am I?I didn't deserve to choose another path, not after what happened to Ryan and Jason, not after being saved by God through a priest.
"Hell is what people make of it, but I suppose it can appear distasteful to humans. I would ensure your every need is met. No one would dare lift a finger against you. And I would devote a whole wing of my palace to use for painting or whatever brought you enjoyment."
I'd never seen this side of Lucian: hopeful, passionate, and…happy.
"I don't know—"
