Unpredictable. Unstable. Vengeful.
“What have you done?” I said again, my voice cracking.
I called to my Infernus to coat my skin, giving myself a sliver of warmth.
He stiffened. “Why are you here?” he demanded, slowly standing. He dusted off the evidence of his destruction and turned to meet my accusing stare. I had thought the greenhouse appeared desolate and heartbreaking. But it didn’t compare to his empty, bloodshot eyes.
His blatant suffering cooled my anger. How could it not when it mirroredmy own?
“I asked you a question.” His lifeless tone had me stepping toward him.
Was it foolish of me to hope that we could comfort each other? That the only two people who loved Saraqael as much as we did could grieve together? He was still my father—the only parent I had left.
“Searching for you. I wanted to make sure you were okay. I thought you may have been bitten.”
He tilted his head, exposing his neck. “Does it look like I was?”
Pale, healthy skin stretched across his neck. No bitemark, not even a blemish marked it.
I frowned. “But I heard and saw?—”
“Nothing that mattered. Now get out of my sight.”
My Infernus shuddered, and I had to remind myself he was hurting as badly as I was. We both just needed time.
He glared at the dark ring wrapped around his bloody finger. It looked like he’d tried to pry it off and failed. But why? Now that Lilith was dead, the ring was done serving its purpose. She no longer had to be confined to her kingdom. He no longer should be bound to her.
“Why can’t you take it off?”
His head snapped up. “Did my words fail to reach your ears? Isn’t it enough that I’ve had to look upon the face of the one who murdered the love of my life?”
“Love of your life?” The words tore out of me. “You made it seem like she was just any other angel that died! You acted like she was insignificant!” I screamed.
“The council forced—” My father cut off his reply, confusion flashing in his gaze before he composed himself and straightened. “I owe no explanation to the one whose recklessness condemned her to never find peace.”
“What—what do you mean?”
“My cordistella is a disembodied soul, restlessly wandering Hell’s Circles until she ceases to exist.” He let that sink in, then finished with a sharp, “Because of a daughter I never asked for.”
I jolted back. The lingering lightness from this morning and my anger snuffed out like the purple flames flickering on my skin. An ocean of pain filled my chest, vast and unending. It skimmed the surface,stinging my eyes and threatening to pool over. With every ounce of will I had left, I held back my bitter tears and fled.
The halls blurred. Faces, voices, they all faded in the echo of his stabbing words—in his reveal. I ran, trying to find a place to hide away from Hell’s judgmental eyes. I ran, with the wordswandering Hell’s Circles,daughter I never asked for,andceases to exist, playing on repeat in my head.
My mom would just be gone? I wouldn’t even be able to see her in the afterlife?
My knees buckled as I rammed into a firm chest. Hands latched onto my waist, keeping me from dropping to the ground. I knew who it was the moment we collided. His presence wove around me, balsam and spicy clove soothing my heaving lungs. It reminded me of my home on Earth, but that home was gone.
The reminder was the last drop to break the cresting wave.
I didn’t want to break down in front of him. I didn’t want to come to him at all. Back on Earth, I imagined what it’d be like to find my cordistella. He’d fill the aching gaps in my chest. He’d hold me without the intention of letting me go. I’d be precious to him. Loved. He would say things just to hear my laughter or see my smile. I’d dreamed of romance, devotion, unfailing love. Instead, my cordistella belittled me, lied to me, and despised me for something I couldn’t control. But I didn’t push him away or storm off. His Dreads were behind him, and I had no strength left.
I lifted my head, meeting fathomless, soul-consuming golden eyes, and whispered, “Please.”
I hoped his Dreads didn’t hear the broken begging in my voice or see the shaking in my body as tears completely blurred my vision.
“Find Alexei in the pit. I’ll meet you there.”
His Dreads withdrew, boots clapping down the hall as they continued to the arena. Once they left, shadows pooled out of Ronen, filling the entire space.
