Page 62 of In Between Death and the Devil

“All Tempters who complete their training are given a mark over their heart. It gives them an enhanced sense of empathy so that they can do their job. It’s a way for me to pass a little of my power and abilities to them.”

“Does it allow them to manipulate shadows?”

“No.”

“Rude.” The word slipped out.

His eyebrows shot up.

“It’s just, you give them the unenjoyable ability to sense people’s emotions; it seems like they should get something fun, like being able to manipulate shadows too.” I didn’t know why I was scrambling to explain. His silence on the way here had unnerved me.

He chuckled, the sound making me shiver. “Titus would agree with you on that.”

“What happens if you mark me? Do I become one of your Tempters?” I didn’t need another thing binding us together.

“Essentially, which is why I can’t give you a permanent mark. I’ll have to give you a temporary one.” His jaw worked, like it wasn’t something he was looking forward to.

“And how would you do that?” I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the answer.

“We’ll need to open and maintain a connection between us so I can place a temporary mark on you and keep it there while we’re in the Library.”

I was right. I hated the answer. “The whole time?”

He nodded.

“Over my… heart?” I said “heart”, but I was thinking of my breast.

He nodded again. I saw a flash of pink as his tongue darted out to wet his bottom lip.

The thought of feeling him channel power to such an intimate spot made me swallow.

“Are you sure there isn’t another way?”

“Maeve.” He sighed.

“How do you give your trainees powers of empathy? They need that to train, right?”

“We give them special pins to wear, but trainees aren’t allowed in the Soul Record Room. So it won’t work. Trust me, if there were another option, I’d offer it. This is the only one. So, do you want to do this or not?”

I snapped my mouth shut. I didn’t want the mark, but I did want to see Colt’s Soul Record. I needed to know what was in there. Who had hired him. “Fine. Do it.”

The Devil frowned at me for a moment.

“What?” I asked.

“Are you sick?”

“No. Why?” It was my turn to frown.

“You’re being uncharacteristically agreeable. You usually fight me on everything.”

“Do you want me to fight you more on this?”

“No.”

“Then let’s get on with it.”

“Infuriating woman,” I heard him mutter. He raised one hand until it hovered over my heart.