“Cut the shit,” Bel muttered. “You stayed in here for the same reason we did.”
“We’re going to need a bone from you, Lord Cato.” I sniffed. “I think you know this.”
“Who’s to say that I’m the one it should come from?” Lord Cato stared pointedly at my soul mate. “You’ve had just as many damning events in your lifetime as I have.”
“Yes, but you are much younger than me. Do the math. What would you be at if you were my age?” Bel flicked his long, black hair over his shoulder in annoyance. “The Arch of Sight even showed you as a snake, and snakes have more bones than us. You have plenty to spare.”
My father stated clearly, “And you were the devil if I recall.”
King Belshazzar licked over his fangs. “Youknowwhy you’restillin here. Don’t make me say it. Not in front of your daughter. Not from me. That should come from you.”
Instantly, I straightened. “What?”
My father’s eyes flared with a warning, his stare-down with my soul mate unflinching. “Don’t pretend innocence. You’re just as guilty as I am. It was you who gave me the out, so fuck you.”
“No, thank you. I’ll fuck your daughter tonight instead.” Black brows lifted, even as I bristled at his vulgar words to my damned father. “Are you going to ‘sacrifice’ that bone like the spell says? It may not work if I take it from you. Then we’d have to go through this all again.”
“Yes, I will sacrifice a bone when you’re ready.” Lord Cato shoved his chair back as he stood…then he straight up backhanded Bel across his face. While King Belshazzar’s head flung to the side, my father hissed, “But don’t ever talk like that about my daughter again, you piece of shit.”
The door slammed shut behind him as he stormed out.
Bel’s tongue peeked out, and he dabbed at the corner of his mouth where my father had busted it. “I think I upset him, little one.”
I allowed my body to relax against my chair. I spoke calmly, “Why did you let him land the blow?”
“Better coming from him than you. We needed the bone. I got it.” He finished rubbing the blood off the side of his cheek with the palm of his hand. “Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Depends on my mood.” I flicked a finger at him. “Are you going to tell me what the hell all that other shit was about?”
“On that, I will not. I meant what I said. It should come from him.” He sent a piercing look in my direction. “When he’s ready to tell you. Don’t pressure him.”
I tapped my fingers on the table and rested my head back against the chair’s headrest. “Was he right? Were you in on it?”
“What do you think, little one? Of course, I was. After all, it was about you.”
The world slightly tilted, but I pretended it didn’t. I switched topics. “How long will it take you to have all of the supplies ready for the spell?”
“Tonight, at the latest.”
“I’ll get the room reserved for tonight then. Let me know when you’re planning to see Lord Cato. I wish to go as well.”
His blink was very slow. “You don’t trust me with him?”
“Not after you allowed that hit.”
