“I’m going to get you out of here. I swear.”
The rage left her eyes, and she lifted a paw, shoving it between the bars. I wrapped my hands around it, and my eyes burned. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry you got stuck down here because of me.”
She snapped her teeth at me, and this time, she was all Kyla. I choked out a laugh.
“Okay.” I pressed my head against the bars, and she did the same on her side. My tears dripped into her fur. “Okay.”
I stayed there for a long moment, and my thoughts began to clear.
“Danica?” a voice hissed.
Keigan. I lifted my head.
Kyla let out a low growl, and I glanced at her. “Still not a fan, huh? One day, we’re going to have to all sit down and have dinner or something.”
She ignored that, lying back down and curling up, her tail covering her eyes. Conversation over. Yeah, the wolf definitely wasn’t herself. And she was much thinner, too. Shit.
I made my way down to Keigan’s cell. His eyes were wary as he watched me, and I crouched in front of his cell. “I’m back.”
He closed his eyes for a long moment, and when he opened them, they were wet. “I was worried.”
“Yeah.” I dropped my voice until it was a whisper. “I’m going to have to pretend to be that empty-headed idiot, so if I can’t get to you for a few nights, that’s why. I can’t risk Lucifer knowing what’s up until I’ve figured out how to kill him.”
He stared at me. “You seriously think you can kill him?”
“I think he made the mistake of letting me into his castle with rowan around my neck.” I could still feel it there, as invisible as ever.
Keigan gave me a slow grin. Then the grin fell. “It might not kill him. He could be too powerful.”
“I have to try. And I have to learn this palace like the back of my hand. I have to figure out the guards’ shifts, and I need to find a way to get Samael’s army in here.”
“Samael is powerless in the underworld.”
“I know.” And the thought made nausea sweep through me. “But he’ll never leave me here. Even if I get free, he’ll never let this stand. We’re going to war.”
* * *
DANICA
That night, when I fell back asleep, Samael was waiting for me, already sitting in one of the armchairs. Now that I was paying attention, I could see the signs of grief and exhaustion, and the way they’d ravaged his face.
He surveyed me, and I caught the flash of despair, quickly followed by determination.
He would have spent the rest of his life making meme. He would never allow me to live a half-life. He would do whatever it took.
Our eyes met, and I tumbled into love with him all over again.
I couldn’t help myself. I leered at him.
“You know, you said we’re lovers, but I’m not sure I believe you. Maybe I need to try before I buy.”
He stared at me, slowly getting to his feet. A dull hope shone in his eyes.
I leapt at him. He caught me, his hands clutching my body as if he’d never let me go. He buried his face in my throat and trembled against me.
I held on, clutching at him. “I really scared the crap out of you, huh?”
He merely squeezed me tighter. It took him a long time before he could finally speak.
