“This is always where he goes during parties. He fucks and drinks his way through the entire thing while my mother hosts. Honestly, I didn’t even consider the possibility that he’d pick you. I’m so, so sorry. Did he hurt you?” We were at the door far faster than I thought we’d be, light shining into the space. Now undistracted, I took a second to look at the area, realizing it was some sort of hallway.
“What is this place?” I asked, letting him pull me out of the room and back into the ball. We didn’t stop to dance, keeping to the walls as we rounded the space.
“It’s an old servant’s room. He uses it for sex. Now answer my fucking question. Did. He. Hurt. You.” Less of a question and more of a demand, really.
Before I could answer, we arrived at another door, Azazel gently guiding me inside. He lit the space with tech, locking the door behind us. Ah, a bathroom. Like the rest of the house, it was dark and oversized, adorned with so much silver it looked like it glowed.
“I’m fine. He didn’t get the chance to do anything,” I mumbled, feeling oddly bare.
“Were you not going to even try to fight back?” he asked, his eyes wide and wild.
“If I would’ve tried, our cover would be blown and the mission would’ve been ruined!”
“Fuck this mission! You can’t keep putting everything and everyone else above yourself!”
“I don’t do that. And, like I said, I’mfine.”
For his part, Azazel only growled, turning towards the basin and summoning water for his bloody hands. Remarkably, the rest of his clothes were still immaculate.
“How’d you stay so clean?” I asked as he wiped away the thick, red blood.
“Warded the second I swung. I was lucky he was horny and drunk, or he probably would’ve killed me.” He muttered something unintelligible under his breath, scrubbing harder.
“I think you should know something.” He glanced at me over his shoulder, brown eyes furious and mouth pushed into a thin line. Sighing, I said, “Your father propositioned me. Well, Jenna. He said he’d marry me—her—ifitworked. He talked about fucking her until she produces—”
“Heirs. Yeah, I figured he’d eventually do that.” Grabbing one of the black towels from the metal hook, he dried his hands. I watched as he tossed the rag and gripped the edges of the basin, dropping his head.
“Do you want to talk about it? It must be a lot to wrestle with the fact that you might no longer be the one who inherits all of this.” Reaching out, I gently touched his back, hoping to soothe him. Instead, I ignited his rage.
He spun, letting out a sharp, humorless laugh. “You think that’s what I care about? Not being the Altair heir? I couldn’t care less! He tried to fuckingrapeyou! He put his hands on you! If I could, I’d rip out his intestines and wring his fucking neck with them! But if I kill him now, every fucking ward in this place will shatter, and we’ll be caught in seconds!”
Closing the remaining few inches, he grabbed my face, his grasp gentle despite the fury that left his body shaking.
“No one can touch you. I need you to know that. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you. Not if I’m there to stop it.” His forehead pressed into mine, his eyes closing.
I wanted to argue, to tell him it wasn’t his job to keep me safe. But I couldn’t. Becausefuck,I wanted him to. I couldn’t explain why, but I could no longer deny that I was happy to have Altair stepping in front of me and holding me. I was grateful for the peace he somehow brought. After a lifetime of taking care of others, I thought then that I was finally ready to let someone take care of me.
Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pulled him in, hugging him tightly. He immediately held me back, tucking his head into my shoulder. We stood like that for a few moments—hours—days—years—I wasn’t sure. Because it sure felt like forever.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Azazel
“I wonder what would happen if I hit Father back.”
-From the journal of Azazel Altair, 9222 AS
We only had minutes, that I was sure of. Father would wake up, and he’d come looking for us.
“We’ve got to go,” I said into Nova’s shoulder, wishing I could hold her forever. Wishing I could kill that useless bastard I called my father.
He didn’t touch her. It’s okay. She’s okay.
Still, in my head, I couldn’t stop remembering the first time Benadell Zade had pulled me into a closet and forced me to fuck her.
“Wait, we didn’t get any information. This can’t all be for nothing!” Nova let me go, backing away and placing her hands on her hips.
“If he wakes up while we’re still here, we’re never getting out.” She didn’t understand, clearly. I knew that, because she started to pace, her brows knitting together and her fingers going to her lips, picking at the skin beneath the red stain. “Whatever you’re thinking, the answer isno.”
