We both knew why he did this. Why he forced me to eat with my enemies. Another little power play from a despot who thrived on them.
As if reading my mind, he smiled. Then he said something in a low voice to Daimonion before turning to walk away.
Pischiel got to his feet, too.
“I want to talk to you,” I muttered.
“Yeah? Well, maybe you can’t have everything you want.” Pivoting, he stalked off.
That went well. Perhaps Ishouldn’thave implied he was morally bankrupt.
Garadiel met my gaze from where he sat next to Lucifer. I kept my face carefully blank, but his quick nod told me he’d gotten my note.
I took a deep breath and forced myself to finish eating.
I had things to do today. Not only was it time to get what I needed from Gloria, but I needed to smuggle more food to Kyla, who had now lost so much weight she looked like a shadow of herself.
Panic cut into my chest, scalpel-sharp. But I slowly lowered my fork and got to my feet, keeping my expression bored as I turned and headed in the direction of my rooms.
Before breakfast, I’d talked to Yusilin, chatting about inconsequential shit and steering the conversation until she’d casually informed me that Gloria occupied one of the towers at the back of the palace. I needed to duck into an empty room and use the ring before I snuck up to her rooms.
I meandered up the stairs and found a supply closet. A quick in and out, and I was on my way, creeping up several more flights of stairs until I’d found the narrow staircase leading to Gloria’s tower.
I climbed the stairs and removed the ring, careful to keep it hidden from Gloria. She’d warded her door, and I scowled, everything in me longing for my power. I slammed my hand against the door, and after a long moment, it slowly creaked open.
“I’d like to say I’m surprised to see you, but I knew it wouldn’t take you long to come to me for your blackmail.” She dropped the ward.
“Is that what we’re calling it?” I sniffed in feigned disinterest and stalked past her, raking my eyes over the circular stone rooms. It was quiet up here, and the scent of old blood and incense made me want to hurl.
“I need two spells.” To start with.
Gloria narrowed her eyes at me. “If Lucifer learns of this—”
“He won’t. If you’re worried about this, just think about how displeased he’ll be to learn you’ve been sneaking out. And I’m sure Pischiel could add on a few more infractions.”
“You’d lie?”
“Like a fucking rug. Get to work.”
She firmed her lips but bustled around, collecting ingredients. I watched her like a hawk. Pischiel had told me what to expect for these spells, but the fact was, I had to trust Gloria enough to use them.
I gave her a long, slow smile. “Just so you know, if you betray me with this, I’ll kill you.”
She glowered at me. “You wouldn’t risk Lucifer’s wrath.”
“Do you really think I can’t make it look like an accident? I’ll ensure I’m having a meal with Lucifer while you die, begging for mercy. And I know you’re no longer covered by your own Spell of Three.”
Her face was a mask of fury. But she believed me. I could see it in her eyes. And yet, there was a hint of respect in them, too. I should’ve known Gloria would respond best to savage threats.
She got to work. I paced back and forth, picking over every part of my plans. I trusted Samael to do what he needed to do, and my father was trusting me to do whatIneeded to do.
“It’s done.”
Liquid sloshed in the large metal container as she handed it to me. I placed it on the ground and took the next spell, an unassuming white paperweight which she’d hexed with a spell that made me nauseous to think about. I placed it in my pocket.
“This is the incantation for your death spell. Speak it only when you’re ready.” She handed me a piece of paper and I slipped that in next to the paperweight.
“There’s something else.”
