“You will stay here now,” Oziel says.
“What was wrong with my old room?”
“It wasn’t mine.”
Oh. Part of me should be mad that Oziel assumes I will share a bed with him, but another part of me doesn’t care if I sleep with ten other people, as long as I have a bed to lie down in.
“Fine, but just so you know, I will push you off the bed if you snore.” I make my way to his bed. I don’t knowhow it’s possible, but Oziel’s bed is even softer than mine. I slide easily into it, and if I died right here, right now…I think I’d be okay with that. Serenity washes over me.
Until Oziel speaks: “You snore.”
I spring up, insulted. “I do not snore!”
“You do. It’s cute though.” He beams at my expense, and my cheeks redden at the thought of him thinking my snores are cute. “You even talk in your sleep.”
Now that, I can believe. My sister always complained about me talking in my sleep when we shared a room as kids. I used to be so embarrassed by it, but it’s not like I can do anything to change it. My mind, even in sleep, never truly quiets.
“What did I say?” In the past, it has mostly been nonsensical words. Or sometimes I ask for random things, at least according to my sister and parents.
“Names.” Oziel stalks from his side of the room over to the bed. He perches on the end, near my feet. His next words feel like I’m being doused with cold water. “Three names actually: Anna, Erin, and James.”
My heart nearly stops. I’m not even sure if I breathe.
“Isabelle?” Oziel says my name with concern I’m not accustomed to hearing from him. I meet his gaze, his intense stare boring into me. Into my soul.
I should expect his next question, but it still takes me by surprise.
“Isabelle,” he says again. “Why do you want to speak with Erin?”
Chapter 20
Isabelle
Oziel’s eyes pierce through me. This is my chance to snap back. Tell him it’s not any of his damn business. Part of me firmly believes Erin should be the first to know what I’ve done. But another part of me, one that nags me to my very core, just wants to tellsomeone. Make someone understand—that I did the only thing I could when no one else would.
I did something when the fucking police did nothing but defend an abusive asshole.
If anyone would understand where I’m coming from, it would be the demon king. After all, he told me what he does to creatures that break the law. I don’t see a difference between his torturing and my killing. At least mine ended the suffering quickly…though I wish that bastard suffered for days. I wished he suffered in the same agonizing way my sister, and probably Erin, suffered. I would have loved to hear his cries and pleas, knowing no one would be there to save him.
Oziel sucks in a deep breath, as if he smellssomething delicious. He then lets out a soft hum. “You smell positively delightful, Kitten. Care to share what dark thoughts going through your mind?”
“I’m not a monster.” The words tumble out before I can stop them, and they don’t stop. “I did what I had to. What no one else would do. And yet, I’m the one they label a monster.”
“In my experience, monsters don’t care if you think they are monsters. You are far from it, Miss Sinclair.”
“But I killed someone.” I don’t know why I say it. Maybe because I need him to see me for what I am. What I’m capable of doing when pushed to the extreme and have no other options at my disposal. “And I don’t regret it. I don’t seek redemption or forgiveness.”
Oziel’s expression doesn’t change. He stares at me with a mixture of curiosity and interest. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say there’s also something akin to pride in his expression. “I see.”
His response is lackluster, and my body deflates. “That’s all? You have nothing else to say?” I’m not sure what I expected, maybe mild shock or horror, but definitely not acceptance.
Oziel shrugs. “Sounds like a normal Monday night, Kitten.”
I frown. “I killed him in cold blood.”
“I’m sure you had your reasons.”
Despite myself, I laugh. Full belly laughs that leave me feeling breathless. Even Oziel smiles, a real genuine smile and not the damn smirk he usually wears. “Leave it to a demon to be okay with murder,” I finally manageto choke out.
