“We’re looking for a cure,” I said, ignoring the sharp snap of Caim’s eyes on my face. “For demony stuff.”
“Demony stuff.” She snorted. “Very specific.”
“A cure to turn a demon into a mortal human.”
She sucked in a breath, glanced back at Caim, and then turned her eyes on me again. “Ah. I get it. You’re a human from that cult, aren’t you? And your transformation has gone wrong or something. So, you want to undo it.” She shook her head and stepped back before reaching for the door. “Sorry. Can’t help you. I want nothing to do with you people.”
As the door slid shut, I kicked out my shoe. The wood slammed into my foot, and I winced against the sudden flash of pain. “I’m not part of the Cult of Lilith.”
“Aren’t you?” She jerked her chin toward Caim. “You’re hanging out with a demon, and you tried to become one yourself. Probably by drinking his blood. You’re playing with fire—literally. And if I help you, you’ll only end up dragging me into the flames.”
“This is Caim,” I said, still holding my foot in the door. “He’s part of a Legion of demons who are against what the cult is doing. We tried to stop them from transforming.”
Her eyes narrowed. “If that’s the case, you did a really piss poor job of it.”
“Trust me,” Caim replied in a deep voice. “We’re aware.”
“So, how’d you end up in this state?” She waved her crossbow at me, and I flinched. One wrong slip of the finger, and that arrow would slam right into my chest. And she was right. I wouldn’t heal. The demon inside of me hadn’t granted those powers yet.
“It’s a long story,” I said. “Basically, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
The witch shifted on her feet. “Dammit. I can tell by the look on your face that you’re not lying. Fine. I’ll hear you out, but one wrong move, and you’re both dead.”
At long last, she finally lowered her crossbow and widened the door. Inside, all was dark. I glanced over at Caim who gave me a solemn nod. No turning back now. If this girl was our enemy, we were stepping right into her web.
With a deep breath, I shoved aside my worries and walked through the door.
19
Eva
As we strode down a long and skinny hallway, the witch flicked on the overhead lights. They illuminated the polished wood floors and the red banners that lined the walls. Each was embroidered with a different symbol, none I’d ever seen. At least they weren’t demon seals. Probably.
The girl led us into a study where mahogany bookshelves lined the walls. Each one was packed tight with leather-bound books, and a curving ladder led up to the highest shelves. A few comfortable armchairs were gathered in the center of the floor, along with a lamp that shone soft yellow light on a round coffee table.
“Sit.” She pointed at the chairs but perched on the arm of one herself.
Frowning, I did as she said. The leather crinkled beneath me. “Nice house.”
“Thanks,” she said tightly. “It’s been in the family for decades. I was lucky enough to inherit it, but it gets pretty lonely here.”
I glanced up at her in surprise and caught the dark look that passed across her face. “You live here alone?”
She cleared her throat. “No, of course not. I have some very powerful witch friends who live here with me.”
“She’s lying,” Caim said softly.
A low growl rumbled from her throat as she whipped her gaze his way. “Swear you won’t tell anyone. If you don’t agree to that, I won’t help you with the cure.”
“I’m happy to swear it.” He smiled up at her, but there was an edge in his voice. “On one condition. Answer this question truthfully. Have you helped the Cult of Lilith at all?”
She blinked, and then snorted, pushing away from the chair. “I thought I already made that crystal clear.”
“Humor me.”
“Fine.” She began to pace, her socked feet slipping across the hardwood. “No. I haven’t helped the Cult of Lilith. That’s the last thing I’d ever do. Newborn demons in the world? No, thank you.”
Caim nodded, satisfied. “We won’t tell a single soul you live here alone. In fact, we won’t tell anyone at all we’ve met with you.”
