The door opened and Brother Edred stepped in. The bitter taste of hatred scalded her throat. “What bringsyouhere?”
He swallowed, his fat jowls flopping.
Clearing his throat, he gave her a baleful look. “I’ve come to make peace. For days, I’ve fasted and prayed until a voice told me to come and apologize.”
She knew the source of that voice.
His conscience.
Or Belial playing some other game with all of them again.
“I made a mistake, milady. I falsely accused an innocent man and now he may die because of it.”
Ariel opened her mouth to order him from the room, but she paused. Over Brother Edred’s shoulder, she saw Thorn and Shadow. The smirk on Shadow’s face said that he might have had something to do with this rather than Belial.
Edred took a step and gulped. “Can you ever forgive me for what I’ve done?”
“It’s not me you need to win over, brother. It’s Lord Valteri and a much higher power. But if you wish to offer a prayer for milord and his recovery, then I’ll welcome it.”
With a sad smile, he moved to the bed and sank down on his knees.
While he prayed, she stepped out into the hall so that she could visit with her “brothers” and still watch him.
She narrowed her gaze on Shadow. “What did you do?”
He flashed one of his cockier grins. “I find that when someone believes in demons, they should occasionally meet a real one.”
Thorn rolled his eyes. “We’ve tried for centuries to do something with him. Believe it or not, this is him improved.”
She laughed at them. “Well, I welcome the change you wrought in the man and his stupidity. If only you could do that with more people.”
Shadow shrugged. “I do my best. Sadly, there’s just so damn many of them who need attitude adjustments.” He slid his gaze meaningfully over to Thorn.
“There’s nothing wrong with my attitude. ’Tis my company that’s insufferable most of the time.”
“Ouch! You bastard.”
Ariel shook her head at their bantering. She knew they were jesting, otherwise they’d be bleeding.
Letting out a sigh, she lowered her voice before she spoke again. “Have either of you seen Belial?”
They shook their heads.
“He… tried to cut my throat.”
Shadow gaped while Thorn’s gaze narrowed dangerously.
She held her hand up to calm them both. “It’s not what you think. I offered him my soul and he did it to show me that I’m still immortal.”
Thorn scowled. “What the bloody hell?”
“I know. Then he refused to take my soul. He said that he would rather face Kadar and Azura, and their wrath, than hand me over to them.”
Shadow snorted. “He’s an idiot. No offense, Ariel. You’re sweet and all that, but my mother will tear him apart.”
Thorn nodded in agreement. “My father isn’t known for his forgiveness. Especially when he wants something.”
“I know. That’s why I’m telling you this.”
