“When I finally learned my suspicions were correct, I had to make a choice. A choice I knew could make you hate me. The demons I sent to guard you… they weren’t just protecting you from threats in this realm. They were told to ensure you never took a portal to that library. So you could dodge your fate. I’d forgotten about the amulet, and it never occurred to me that the fae would be stupid enough to allow it to be taken.”
“I told you. I don’t believe in fate.”
He laughed at that, but it was hollow. “Fate is a bitch who plays with mortals and immortals alike.” His other hand found my shoulder and he shook me. “There was a chance. A slim chance that I could have kept you from finding that book. From setting this into motion. From getting on Lucifer’s radar. If you don’t know by now that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, then you haven’t been paying attention.”
We were both silent while I processed that. I felt oddly weepy. Samael seemed to understand, because his voice gentled.
“I knew you would face Lucifer one day. But after all these centuries, I was still willing to wait until you were stronger. I wanted you to come into your power, to wield it expertly, and to be ready when you met him.”
If there was one accusation I could never throw at Samael, it was the idea that he wanted me to be weak. The demon had been pushing me to learn how to use my power since the moment he became aware of the suppression spell containing it.
“Would you have ever told me?”
“One day, when you were powerful enough that you couldchooseif you wanted to help me take him down. But I don’t need you to kill Lucifer. I’ve been planning my vengeance for centuries, slowly collecting allies and making plans. You’re not critical to my plans, Danica.” His mouth curved up in a crooked smile. “Only to me.”
I stared at him, gobsmacked.
He watched me out of cool eyes. “What are you thinking?”
“Give me a minute.”
If there was a chance I wouldn’t have found the prophecy, that I wouldn’t have ever popped up on the underking’s radar… could Ireallyblame the demon for keeping it from me?
Yes. Because he treated you like a child. He didn’t think you had the right to know who you were.
Like a child? Or like someone he cared about? If it had been Evie who’d been fated to kill or be killed by Lucifer, would I have told her?
No. I would have taken that secret to my fucking grave.
Which meant I was being a hypocrite.
The difference? I loved Evie.
“Will you forgive me, little witch?”
I heaved a sigh. The truth was, hating Samael was exhausting. It no longer came naturally to me. I had to actively work at it, stoking the fires of my distrust and annoyance, constantly reminding myself of all the ways he’d messed with my head since I met him.
I leaned close. Suspicion entered Samael’s eyes and I almost laughed. No wonder we were so evenly matched. But he allowed it, and I brushed my mouth over his. Once. Twice.
I kept my gaze on his, so I saw it. The helpless frustration that flickered in his eyes before he slammed them shut.
“I forgive you.” I nibbled on his lower lip and he sighed.
“Samael,” I murmured.
“Hmmm?”
The words were out before I knew what I was saying. “Are you in love with me?”
He stiffened, and his eyes slowly opened. Cold fury. So cold I shivered as he drew away, his body as tense as a panther waiting to pounce. His laugh was bitter.
“Clever, clever witchling. You wish to leave me with nothing?”
I trembled at the look of wrath on his face. For the first time in months, I was actively scared of the demon.
“Samael–”
“Leave.”
