Page 140 of Obsession

“That I do not like the thought of you as bait.” His jaw juts. “Have you considered it? Say the circle fails. He could hurt you before I intervene.”

“Don’t tell me you’re worried about me.”

Aris tears himself from his task to give me a look that tells me what he thinks of my teasing.

I can’t help but smile, even under his glower. “The magic is fine, Aris,” I say, and resist the urge to reach out to touch him. The dormant urge to comfort him and seek comfort from him lashes, but I keep it on its leash.

Not in front of Simon. Not in front of Henry. They would never understand why I’d willingly touch him. No one understands.

“Sem knows what she’s doing,” I say after a moment. “Besides, I’m immortal now. He can’t kill me.”

“You can still feel pain. I do not appreciate that thought.”

Aris gets to his feet before I can respond, which was probably by design. I doubt that he meant to say that and is regretting showing vulnerability in front of his sister—in front of anyone.

I stay in my position for a little longer, even as Aris rejoins Sem. The fact that he is worried is concerning, and it’s not like I haven’t considered the possibility of Jaegen getting his hands on me. I’ll admit, I’m scared. Jaegen is terrifying. He’s huge and powerful even without magic. He’s hurt me before, and it’s easy to imagine him doing it again.

But I have faith.

Even if Sem wanted to double-cross us, Aris has inspected the runes. The circle will work; it will hold, and he will not get me. All I have to do is get Jaegen inside.

“Are you ready?” Sem asks suddenly, placing a hand on my shoulder. I notice that even her nails are purple—a lighter shade.

I stand, exchanging a brief glance with Aris. He has stepped to the side, watching the two of us keenly. “Yeah,” I say.

With that, a rug appears out of thin air and rolls itself out as if alive. Large, with a Turkish pattern, it covers the circle entirely. It’s dusted and dated, fitting the decor of the room so it doesn’t appear out of place.

“Then, we will begin,” she says softly.

Sem turns invisible, and I glance at where Aris just stood, finding nothing. Henry and Simon are gone as well. If I were to walk over, I’d bump into them, but they cannot be seen.

Even though I know that they’re here, I feel alone. I don’t even have the icky feeling one gets when they’re certain that they’re being watched. I entertain the brief, stupid thought that this was all a joke and they’ve left me here to die.

Goosebumps raise on my arms, a shiver running through me as the temperature suddenly drops. It raises a moment later, and I recognize the sensations for what they are: Aris, saying hello. Saying: I am here.

I take a breath, fingers twiddling at my sides. And I say, “Jaegen.”

Another breath.

I clear my throat and then repeat, louder, “Jaegen. I know you can hear me. I know you are attuned to me.”

The room stays awkwardly empty, with no evil god present; my lips purse at the observation. Now, assured that Aris is still here, I feel self-conscious, like a child calling out for Bloody Mary.

No one gave me magic to bring Jaegen here. There is no portal or rune; that would make him suspicious. After all, I don’t know magic. If I used it, I’d have to have gotten the spell from someone. Who? he’d wonder.

And he must suspect nothing. He must think: Here she os, the stupid little mortal, calling for him.

And I know that he is angry enough that he will listen.

“Aris and I are leaving this world.” I pause. I’ve spent the past hour thinking of what would enrage a god the most to hear, and I try my first phrase: “I picked him. Not you.”

Still… nothing.

My lips press together. Next phrase, then. I’m used to pissing off gods on accident, not on purpose, but I have a natural affinity for getting under their immortal skin. I know what drives Aris, and I know what Jaegen wants, too—because I know what he doesn’t have.

It’s why he wanted to kill his sister. It’s why he went after his brother. It’s what he was created to do, an assignment that he cannot stand.

“You lost,” I continue, turning in a circle, not knowing where in the room to look, “and now, all you can do is… watch.”

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