Sighing, she finally drops the ball, and I swear a tiny scream emanates from the thing. A shudder rolls down my spine. If I had a grave, someone would be walking over it right about now.
She sits back, a throne appearing out of seemingly nowhere. She stuck us in a blank space, only revealing items as necessary. It always freaks me out to be standing yet not actually be standing. I give her a pointed look, and she waves. Another chair appears, though obviously not as ornate. She always was a bitch. Lovingly, of course.
“Do we have a reason for meeting today?” I ask when her stare becomes too much.
She steeples her hands and taps her fingers against her mouth. “I’m concerned for Omen.”
I roll my eyes. “You’ve never been concerned a day in your life, Providence. What’s the real reason?”
“Fuck you, Dimitri. I care about my brother. I just show it in different ways.”
“Good of you to drop the mystical act. Now what’s the real reason?”
“Ack, fiiinnne.” She claps her hands, and we’re in a lush garden, complete with a gurgling fountain—her home. “Iamworried about Omen. Though I might have been alerted to his…delicate condition from the strands. They’re pulling and tightening in the wrong places.”
She twirls her hands around, and the glowing ball of yarn reappears. She studies the thing like it contains the secrets of the universe. Maybe it does. I wouldn’t know. I don’t fuck with things like destiny and threads.
She huffs and the ball vanishes. “Listen, he’s fucking with my job. But also, I did a little peeking?—”
“Spying.”
“Peeking. He’s…morose.” She spits out the word like a curse. “He’s drained his magic, which means…”
“How the fuck would I know what that means? He can’t die in Hell.” Should I be arguing with her? Probably not. Do I want to help Omen? Of course. I just don’t know how much I have left in me. Getting back to Mari is my top priority.
She shakes her head, giving me a disapproving look. “Such wasted talent. Anyway, his magic is tied to the Empyrean. He’s literally sucking souls into his house. They’d end up there regardless because of his…whatever. It doesn’t matter. He just needs to get his shit together so everything can right itself.”
I squirm in my chair, unwilling to admit I have no idea why he’s upset or drained of magic. He looked fine the last time I saw him. Sure, there was tension between him and Clara, but that’s nothing new from what he’s told me.
“What exactly am I supposed to do about this? I can’tmakehim better.” If I could, I’d uncurse myself.
Realization dawns on her face and she grins. “Would you look at that. The great and mighty Dimitrius doesn’t know what’s happening with his best friend, and I do. Oh, this is good. Wait, I want to remember what this feels like.”
Scowling, I cross my arms. “Get on with it, Prov.”
“Oh fine. Party pooper. He sent his witch topside. No idea why. And yes, I did know he was harboring a witch in Hell. I took care of the paperwork. I also may have sent a few well-deserved threats so he wouldn’t have any issues with his soulbound staying, should she choose to.”
“He sent her back? What the fuck.” I run a hand through my hair and jab my finger into my horn.
“Why don’t you just pop over there and tell him I’m going to pay his witch a little visit. That’ll get his ass in gear. I have a theory I want to check out, anyway.” She waves her hand as if to dismiss me.
Instead, I give her a deadpan look. If I give in without something in return, even if I want to, things will get sticky. I’llget a scolding, first of all, and I hate that. Lecturing a demon doesn’t go well in the best of times. When they’re the same rank as you, it goes even worse. Also, I could really use some help.
“What’s in it for me?” I ask when she merely stares at me.
“How bold of me to assume you’d do it to help your friend. When was the last time you saw him?”
I shrug, glancing away. I have no idea how much time has passed in Hell while I was topside. Based on how it’s been working lately, I assume not long. Omen’s a strong demon. It would take more than sending Clara back to break him down.
“Inconvenient,” she mutters. “Are they soulbound?”
I shrug again, keeping my face as neutral as possible. “You’d have to ask him. Doubt it, though.”
Her nostrils flare, her black skin flickering like lightning encased within dark storm clouds. “This right here is why you’re annoying. I hope you understand that.”
“Well aware, Prov. Are you going to answer my question?”
She exhales heavily and narrows her eyes. “Fine. What do you want?”
