“Because I’m not.” A smile. “It makes a lot of sense. You always seemed different to me, like there was more to you than met the eye. I wasright.”
We both grinned, though a tear slid down my cheek. More from joy than anything else. Lilith’s own eyes were glassy, and I had to wonder how alone she must have felt these past few weeks, wanting to contact us but not being able to do anything but sit here in her house being looked after by her kindly oldgardener.
“Now,” she said, clearing her throat and blinking away her glassy tears. A determined expression settled over her face. Now, she looked like Lilith. All business. “What the hell are we going to do about that portal tohell?”
“We’re hoping you can help us out with that,” Ramiel said, coming up behind me to rest a comforting hand on my shoulder. He’d been standing in the room, listening and watching our entire exchange. But strangely, I didn’t mind. He had seen my rawest emotions far before now. “Did you happen to see anything when he brought youhere?”
“He originally took me to his castle, and yes.” She let out a shuddering breath. “The portal isn’t there, but the amulet is. Unfortunately, I don’t remember much about it because of my wounds. I do believe there might have been some boobytraps.”
I arched a brow. “Boobytraps?”
“To be honest, it’s all very fuzzy because I was halfway dead. Still, I tried getting to the amulet myself. I think he must have rigged the room so that it was next to impossible. Maybe some boulders came out of theceiling?”
“That sounds…lovely,” I saiddryly.
“Sounds like a challenge to me,” Uriel said as he strode up behind us. I glanced over my shoulder to catch his lopsided smile and wink. “I think all six of the Order combined can figure out a way to get past an asshole demon’s booby traps, don’t you,Erela?”
“The Order might be six, but count seven in your plans. If you’re going after the amulet, I’m coming with you.” Lilith pushed up in her chair, and her eyes went razor sharp. “I just need one thing to fully heal me, and then I’ll be ready to go. But I might need your help. I need someone who is willing to share it. I only deal in strict consent, and Harry is worried he’s too old to endure anyloss.”
Huh? I cocked my head, frowning at her. It was like she was talking in riddles or speaking an entirely differentlanguage.
“What in the world are you talkingabout?”
Her teeth glittered when she smiled. “I needblood.”
Chapter Nine
Erela
It turnedout that Lilith was a blood demon, which made a ridiculous amount of sense now that I knew. Berith must not have realized it himself, or he would have known that a little cut wouldn’t do anything other than weaken her for awhile. Blood demons were very similar to what humans imagined as vampires. As long as they had access to a steady supply of blood, nothing could kill them. Not even a wooden stake to the heart, by the way. They would only die without blood. A long, slow, painful death where they would wither away into nothing more than a pile ofash.
It also explained why Lilith liked to surround herself with humans. I knew she cared for them, but it was obvious the relationships had been two-way streets. She provided them with a safe space from the demons. They provided her withblood.
Unlike most blood demons, Lilith would only take blood if the human consented. And I had no idea how the hell we were going to find a human nearby who would be willing to submit to avampire.
“Why don’t we just ask one of the crew members to do it?” I asked after we went through several dead endoptions.
Ramiel, Sam, and I had huddled together while Az, Uriel, and Lizzie were off rounding up some food for the crew. We’d found a little side room by the kitchen full of muddy wellies andumbrellas.
“We can ask,” Ramiel said with a frown, “but you saw their reaction to the water demons. I don’t see how any of them will agree toit.”
I let out a frustrated sigh. “Surely one of them will agree. I mean, how has she gotten all of those other humans to agree all theseyears?”
“Her charm,” Sam said simply. “It’s a blood demon thing. Humans eat itup.”
“You better be talking about some grub because you’re right.” The captain, Rourke, strode into the utility room and crossed his arms. “Otherwise, I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you lot are talkingabout.”
Ah, the captain. Perfect timing, as usual. Time for me to try and remedy thesituation.
I moved closer to him and placed a hand on his elbow, half steering him toward the open door. “I know you all got ushered to your rooms pretty early, but I’d like to introduce you to the owner of thishouse.”
“The demon, you mean.” His voice wasflat.
“Yes, thedemon.”
“Look.” He ran a hand down his tired face. “It’s taken a lot for me to accept your whole fallen angel thing. After all me and my friends have been through, it was tough teaming up with some supernatural beings. You all have earned my respect though. I’ve seen you in action. It took a lot for us to dothat.”
“I appreciate that. I do.” I took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to be able to convince this man that he should give a demon a chance. It was hard enough for him to agree to stay here, but his men needed rest. They’d probably be out of here first thing in the morning.”Just..I don’t know, canyou—”
