I furrow my brow. “Why? What’s the point? Do you… Do you travel to the human world often? Could you take me there?”
My excitement mounts with every word I speak until I find myself sitting on the edge of my seat and leaning toward the mysterious man who saved me from exposure in the most unforgiving environment.
The smile on Az’s face now seems stiffer. “You haven’t answeredmy question, little fairy. Would you really want to go back to Abaddon when you could have real food, comfortable furnishings, and any form of entertainment that amuses you?”
I slowly shake my head. “What… here?”
“And why not?” Az spreads his hands to indicate our surroundings. “No flesh-eating critters to bother you here. The wards I made keep them out, much like the ones around Purgatory. And I can always bring food like this.” He cringes and shoots my backpack a look. “Or whatever you’d like.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “This is just another prison. Only I’d be alone here. I have friends in Abaddon. Friends who are probably very worried about me.”
Az tilts his head. The look in his eyes is pure calculation. “They would probably be happy for you. Would true friends not want you to be well-fed and safe?”
“I… Of course! But not like this.” I shake my head, pleading with him with my eyes. “Not in a fallen angel’s cave, like an animal in an exhibit.”
His eyes narrow almost imperceptibly. “Well, you’ll change your mind. Rest, eat some more. Try on some of the gowns.”
“Gowns?” I parrot dumbly.
Az’s smile returns. “Yes! Gowns.”
He claps his hands, and I’m suddenly surrounded by neat piles of heavy dresses. There’s lots of velvet, pearl beading, and lace brocade, mostly in black and crimson. Az snaps his fingers, and open jewelry boxes join the yards of fabric, full of glinting necklaces, bracelets, and tiaras, all dripping with heavy stones.
“These are like something from the Middle Ages,” I murmur, confused. “Like something out of a museum.”
Az blinks at me, then looks at the items he conjured out of thin air.
“These are far more precious than the hastily stitched outfits that are fashionable among humans right now,” he says, his upper lip curling like he’s affronted. “Trust me.”
I press my lips together, my fists clenching at my sides.
“If you won’t help me get back to Purgatory, then I will manage on my own.” I hop off the bed and grab my backpack. A sudden thought hits me, and I round on the incredibly handsome angel. “Did you take my throwing stars?”
Az smiles at me. “No,” he says, drawing it out. “I didn’t take them from you. You were throwing them around in all directions. Well, except at the actual threats. I took care of those. I did pick them up, though. But you can’t have them back.”
My mouth falls open in affront. “Excuse you?Incroyable!”It shouldn’t be surprising that a man can be this malicious, but he did save my life in a way, after all. “You would have me walk however long it takes to get back to Abaddon defenseless?”
“No,” he says again, his smile somehow sharp, something ancient stirring in his eyes. “You won’t be walking across Hell defenseless. Because you won’t be walking across Hell at all. You’re staying here.”
I’m still processing his words when he gets up, adjusting his cuffs, even though they’re already perfectly positioned.
“Are you going to stop me?” I force out through gritted teeth.
“I won’t stop you,” Az says casually. “The wards will. Now, if you will excuse me, I must make a few public appearances… for appearances’ sake.”
I sputter, scrambling for something to say to convince him to let me go.
“Wait! You can’t leave me here. What will your Council say when they find out you’re keeping me prisoner?”
Az grins. “They won’t.”
With that, he disappears. One moment, he’s standing in front of me, the next, there’s just empty air and the smell of sandalwood and amber.
“Az!” I shout, then slam my hand over my mouth. Why would I be calling for him? Surely he was just joking. Surely he’s not powerful enough to put wards around a whole cave.
Determined, I stride toward the exit I meant to brave earlier, ignoring the darkness.
And slam right into an invisible wall.
