But another chunk of the suppression spell had broken free. Now, when I reached for my magic, it instantly responded, the trickle now a flood that threatened to sweep through and take over.
It scared the shit out of me.
And yet it didn’t scare me as much as Samael had. Killing the witch I could understand. Attacking Vas so he could jump-start my power?
It was a cold ruthlessness that I couldn’t fathom. I’d known demons had very different ideas about morality, but somehow, I’d allowed myself to forget.
Samael wasn’t human. He’d never be human.
I couldn’t forget that again.
“He had to do it,” Vas said. I glanced at him. He was frowning at me, obviously well aware of the dark road my thoughts were wandering down.
“No he didn’t.”
“He had to punish me, or his people would’ve punished me for him. He also needed you to be mad and scared enough that you finally used your power.”
“That was punishment?”
Vas sighed. “He barely hit me, Danica. He could’ve made an example of me. If he’d had less control, he would’ve removed my wings and hung me at the top of his tower as an example.”
My lips went numb. “Has he done that before?”
Vas realized he’d erred but he didn’t lie to me. “Yes.” His face turned hard. “You’re determined to believe the worst of him, and nothing I say will change your mind.”
“Are you living some Stockholm syndrome bullshit?”
“Samael has been good to you. He doesn’t deserve your loathing.”
I gaped at him as I attempted to speak but couldn’t– so many retorts flying through my head that my mouth froze up as they battled one another for supremacy.
Humor flashed in his eyes at the sight of me, and my mouth started working again. “What exactly has Samael done for me?”
“Let you live after you murdered someone in his territory?”
“He knows I didn’t do that!”
He shrugged one shoulder. “You still attempted to interrogate someone who had been promised safety in Samael’s club. Not to mention, you stole his dagger. From hisdragon.”
“Great. So the demon hasn’t killed me. Clap clap for him.”
He gave me a frown that said he was disappointed in me. I ground my teeth.
“Samael sent demons to watch over your every move.”
“Yes. Because he’s a stalky stalker.”
“Because he wants to keep you safe.”
I stared at him. “Yes. Until I solve his murders.”
“You know nothing about demons, do you?”
I threw up my hands. “Obviously! You know what, let’s forget about this. We’re never going to agree. Let’s focus on our job so I can leave this whole experience behind me.”
Vas’ face tightened and he glanced away. Silent.
I studied his face. “I don’t mean you,” I said carefully. “Maybe we could, um, hang out once this is over, if you want? Get a drink? Hit the shooting range?”
