Page 70 of The Fearless Witch

“What is it?” Nym frowned. “You have that look. What are you thinking about?”

I licked my lips, not sure if I was onto something or just wishing the universe was looking favorably on me—on us—for once.

“You said that Belphegor was the one who stopped Alastair from shattering Beleth’s soul, right?” Nym nodded, his eyes narrowing. “And Beleth said that the last time he fought Asmodeus, the prince not only didn’t kill him but gave him advice.”

Nym’s whiskers fluttered violently. “It was more like a threat than advice.”

I rolled my eyes. “A threat is ‘I will kill you and shatter your soul’. Telling someone to fight harder and not hold back is advice. Poorly worded, but still advice.”

“Fine, call it whatever you like,” Nym sighed. “Where are you going with this?”

“Doesn’t all of this sound to you like… they want him to win?” I bit my lip. “Why else would they let him live after all that time and give him advice? They can’t be that bored!”

Nym blinked several times before shaking his head. “That’s a long stretch. Why would they want him to win against them?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged, flopping the book closed and falling backward into the bed. “Usually when someone tries to kill me, I kill them. I don’t think a Prince of Hell has a more merciful heart than me.”

Nym grumbled in agreement, leaning his head back on his paws while I stared at the ceiling. Silence dragged, my thoughts swirling and swirling until my temples pounded painfully. I must have dozed off at some point because when I opened my eyes, it was because something was touching my cheek.

I swung at the man looming over me on instinct, but a pair of cold fingers caught my fist right before it connected with his nose.

“That’s my girl,” a familiar voice spoke, and I blinked the last of the sleep, finally recognizing the face smiling at me.

“Roman!” I gasped, throwing my arms around his neck and pulling him toward me. He came willingly, lips already parted in anticipation as I kissed him. I moaned when his tongue invaded my mouth, studying it with eagerness like it was our first time. His hard body pressed against mine in a way that almost made me cry with relief.

He was here. He had come. He…

Somebody cleared their throat, and I froze, eyes snapping open. I looked sideways to the other end of the room where Beleth leaned on the table with his arms crossed and a murderous expression on his face.

“Keep your legs closed for once, will you?” he snarled at me, his eye twitching. “You wanted him here, he’s here. If this was just a ploy to get him down here to fuck you, I will throw him outside and force you to watch as Hell’s creatures tear him apart.”

I opened my mouth to tell him to fuck off, but the low growl that reverberated through Roman’s chest seemed like a more immediate concern. Tightening my arms around him, I dug my nails into his back so he was forced to bring me up with him when he rose.

“Threaten her again, I dare you,” Roman said in a voice so cold, I was pretty sure that if we checked outside, we’d find Hell frozen over.

Beleth pushed himself off the table and let his hands drop as if he were about to do just that. I desperately searched for something to say to diffuse the situation when my eyes landed on Roman’s neck. Something dark and sticky marred his pale skin, drenching the edge of his shirt.

“Why is there blood on you?” I asked, pressing my fingers to his throat. The substance was cold but fresh. There were no wounds on him but considering its dark color, it definitely belonged to an undead creature.

“A vampire was about to tear his head off when I saved him,” Beleth answered me, crossing his arms again. “You’re welcome, by the fucking way. So don’t come growling at me or I’ll return you right where I took you from.”

I blinked in shock, pulling at Roman’s collar until he finally looked at me.

“There was an Elder trespassing on my property and killing the shifters that settled there,” he explained through tight lips. “It’s a long story, but I’m fine. Everyone’s fine.”

“Except for those dead shifters,” Beleth muttered.

“Isaac is fine,” Roman added before I could ask. “Malakai is taking care of the Elder. I…”

When I took a step back, he flinched like I had slapped him. I ignored that for now, turning to where Nym was standing on the edge of the bed, ready to pounce if I only pointed a finger.

“I need you to go there,” I said, holding his gaze. “With Roman here, I need to know someone is looking after everyone.”

Nym bristled, his eyes turning red. “What about you? I’m supposed to protect you. This is your l…”

“You can’t enter the trials,” I interrupted him, giving him a pointed look. “And I have two of the most dangerous men on the planet vastly invested in keeping me alive. I’ll be fine.”

Nym let out a low, displeased sound, his eyes darting behind me—to Beleth, presumably. I almost sighed in relief when he jumped off the bed and headed toward the door. Just before he reached it, he turned, looking at each of us.

---