It’s a relief when I catch sight of Zuriel behind the counter.
“You’re shaking.”
Lowering my purchases, my hands tremble as I retrieve my keys and unlock the door. “No, I’m not. Goodbye,” I mutter. Kicking the door open, I can carry everything inside. The door closes behind me, but Adrial slips in.
I spin on him. “I’m keeping the museum closed today. For renovations. You can’t come in.”
“I’m not just any visitor.”
Ginny mews, crying out. I set everything down and open her carrier’s door. She springs forth, hair raised and back arched, with a long, low hiss.
“The shop is closed,” I repeat, hardening my voice. “Leave.”
A bead of sweat gathers on the tip of my nose while my glasses fog. I don’t want him taking another step into the store. This ismyspace.
He pouts like he’s disappointed in my behavior. I’m compelled to step aside, and only Ginny’s agitation keeps me steady.He’s not human.
I don’t like the thought.
I hate it.
Trembling, I take a deep breath. Zuriel mentioned demon rot and markings, that their presence leaves something behind, amenace.
“Oh, Sum-m-mer,” Adrial says my name slowly. “Don’t you want to know the truth?” His face twitches into a hungry, curious expression.
“T-Truth?”
He indicates the statue. “How you became tangled up in all of this?”
I stiffen. Adrial blinks, and his brown irises turn yellow. He blinks again, and they become normal.
“What?” I ask.
“Does he blame all this on you? Say you’re responsible for waking him? I’m so sorry. Let me help. I can answer all those questions dripping from the tip of your tongue.”
I frown.Questions.I have so many of them, and I part my lips, eager to understand. “Why—”
Ginny pounces.
She jumps onto his chest, sinks her claws through his shirt, and digs them into his flesh.
“Stupid cat!” he yells, knocking her away, and shifting his attention. Ginny lands on her feet.
His allure is broken, and I shudder, clearing his poisonous words from my mind. My breath heaves.
Zuriel, I need you.
Lowering my hands, mirroring the position of the two marks, I stop fighting the hot pain, embracing it instead. Zuriel’s strength blooms inside my chest. His fire.It’shisfire I feel.
He penetrated me with it.I understand now.Something did fill me up last night—it just wasn’t his cock. Peering down at my hands, I recall how his fingers glowed upon my flesh.
More golden light beckons through the corner of my eyes where Zuriel looms. The heat escalates, snatching my breath, burning me up.
Everything glows as Zuriel’s power channels through me.
I’m about to erupt into flames. I want to scream—it hurts so bad!
“Fuck off, Adrial!” I shriek instead, but my voice doesn’t sound like mine. There’s another, a voice layered behind it. Deep and gravelly, strengthening my command.
