Page 71 of Sinister

That makes my blood boil. “So that’s it? You’re just going to ignore everything I told you? Pretend I didn’t warn you? You’re going through with it anyway?”

“I am,” he says, calm as ever. “Unless you ask me not to.”

“Didn’t I just tell you you’re in danger?” I snap.

He shrugs. “I think I could be persuaded to walk away from this particular curiosity if another one of my curiosities were satisfied.”

I narrow my eyes. “What are you talking about?”

He closes the tome and slides it back into the drawer. Leaning back in his chair, he tilts his head and fixes his gaze on me.

“One kiss,” he says. “Give me one kiss, and I’ll vow to stay away from the ritual.”

I stare at him, stunned. “What?” I blurt. “You can’t be serious.”

“It’s simple,” he says, unbothered. “One kiss on the lips. And I promise I won’t take part in the ritual.”

“You’re insane,” I gasp, stepping back. “Why would you ever think I’d agree to something like that? I’ve done my part—I warned you. I told you what my father and his congregation are planning. That is enough.”

He lifts a brow, and his laid-back expression makes me even more angry. How can he joke about something like this?

“You said it yourself—free will. You choose whether to participate or not, whether to put yourself in danger or not. Why should I sacrifice myself for you?”

Without waiting for a reply, I turn sharply on my heel to leave.

Behind me, his voice follows—soft, almost amused.

“Is that what it would be? A sacrifice?”

I stop in the middle of the room, frozen.

“Would kissing me really be so unbearable, Petra? So unthinkable that it would feel like a sacrifice?”

I say nothing.

“You’re doing it again,” I murmur without turning. “You’re trying to make a trade.”

“If you won’t grant me this little curiosity,” he says, “then perhaps I should just sell my soul to get it. I’m sure that entity would have no trouble securing me a kiss from you in exchange for my soul.”

“You—” I gasp, whipping around to face him. I march forward, stopping in front of him with clenched fists. “You’re impossible. You’re not taking this seriously. How could you⁠—”

“What? Sell my soul for a kiss?” he finishes for me. “But you see, I would. A kiss from you. I’d give up anything. Everything.”

“Why are you doing this?” I ask, breathless. “Why me? How would you even think of something like that?”

He grips the arms of his chair and propels himself forward until our faces are nearly touching. His eyes lock on mine, steady and unwavering.

“Because kissing you,” he says softly, “is my greatest desire. And I would do anything to have it.”

“You’re playing dirty,” I whisper.

“Maybe,” he replies, lips curling faintly. “But look at it this way—give me one kiss, and I’ll keep my soul. I won’t trade it. I’ll keep it safe . . . for you.” He leans in just a little closer. “What do you say, Petra?”

I blink, suddenly unsteady. He’s so close I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. A shiver runs down my spine as I inhale sharply.

“If it helps,” he murmurs, “think of it as charity. A small sacrifice to save my soul.”

“Just . . . one?” I breathe.