Our song blares from Mads’s iPod. She stands there, mouth hung open, dripping wet from her shower, wearing nothing but a towel.
Her wall is down. She’s exposed. Vulnerable. It’s real and honest. This is her true self.
And dammit if I don’t find her all the more attractive for it.
I stood by in the Veil of Shadows as he slept beside her, comforted her, trained her, fought with her, and even kissed her. They almost caught me twice, with the damn twigs snapping, but I eluded him and the Protectors he sent. How could he be so careless to tell others about her?
I’ve managed to keep my feelings in check. It’s why I thought I was ready to face her—I didn’t think I’d be distracted by the emotions that stir whenever I’m with her. Leave it to her to mess up my plans again. This was my first chance to get her alone. I could have waited until she was dressed, but this is more fun.
I won’t do anything yet. I will never hurt her again. I’m only trying to make sense of what the Acquisitioner said about Mads having a weakness. That weakness—whatever it may be—is the key to getting her to sign the Binding Agreement, condemning her soul to the Acquisitioner and me.
When I tried to compel her last night so she would sign the contract, it almost worked. I could feel her letting go of her resistance. But then that damn spirit came back. I cast it out of my house again, but it was too late. It distracted Mads long enough for her to break my hold.
I’m glad it didn’t work, then. The Acquisitioner tricked me. There will be no traveling or happily ever after for me and Mads. With Mads’s abilities at his command, the Acquisitioner will be the next ruler of Hell. We’ll spend eternity in misery. It’s what has to be done, though. With her soul unclaimed, it’s the only way she’ll stay safe.
I wish I could take her and run. Right now. It would be perfect. No one can sense her essence without physically touching her. The Protector won’t be able to find her, as he can with all other mortals. He can’t even sense me from the next damn room, thanks to the ring the Acquisitioner gave me last night. The ring is an occultum—an object enhanced to hide a being’s essence. Only members of the Fallen are allowed to wear them. Until now, that is.
Thunder booms, shaking the house.
Mads shakes her head and steps back toward the wall.
She’s cornered.
My hands twitch, tempted to reach for her and make my fantasy a reality.
The only thing that could ruin my plan to steal her away is Mads’s ability to affect the weather. It could give away our location, just as it did last night. I must find a way to keep that from happening.
The one time she didn’t affect the weather was when she was unconscious. It was the only real peace and privacy we had. When I’m ready to make my next move, I could keep her sedated, just enough to make her suggestible and to keep the weather in check. It’s not great, but it’s good enough to be plan B.
Her breathing increases as the shock wears off. A moment later, a terrified shriek escapes from that perfect, tempting mouth, and I know my time is up. I summon the Veil of Shadows and continue observing her, in hopes of finding something much harder to find than a needle in a haystack. I’m searching for the flaw in my Aphrodite.