Page 144 of A Sin So Pure

“Why can’t you do it?”

“Because Ican’t.”

“That’s not a real reason.”

“I’ve alreadytried,” he admits, rushing forward but stopping a foot away from me. He ticks off his fingers with each example. “I’ve tried poisons: they don’t affect him. I’ve tried hiring hitmen: they failed. He’s extremely paranoid, and he’sreallyfucking hard to kill.”

“Then what makes you think that I can do it, or would even want to?” I shrug, twirling my knife in my hand.

“C’mon,” he huffs. “Everyone wants to kill my father. I would think the niece he exiled and orphaned would be at the top of that list. And a soul-stealer? I don’t know a single fae in history that could stop that magic.”

I frown.

Benevolence’s chest puffs with confidence, but his face shines with sincerity as he speaks.

“Look.” He levels with me, licking his lips. “I was only a child back then. All I ever knew was that my aunt was taking a trip, and then I didn’t see her for years. Then, one day, my dad came home angry as all hell, cursing her name. He was never a good father, but he was much worse from that day on.”

He swallows, eyes glazing over with the memory; it’s a look I know all too well. He reaches out. A shaking, tentative hand grips my shoulder. I let him, seeing the peace offering for what it is—his skin on mine, his life in my hand.

It’s submission.

“It wasn’t until he started grooming me for his position that he told me what happened. I wasn’t lying when I said I was jealous of you guys. I didn’t know what it meant for you to live out there. I thought it was the grandest thing, to be so free.” Benevolence’s lips tremble with bittersweet emotion. “Youmight have escaped him then, but he’s been obsessed with you ever since.”

“Then why has he waited so long to make his move against me? I’ve been working human-side for years for my House.”

Benevolence’s fluffy brows knit.

“He’s embodied his title,” Benevolence says. “He’s not afraid to wait for a better opportunity.”

He’s dancing around his words, but I need him to cut the bullshit.

“Explain,” I demand.

“Can I put my arm down?” he asks. “Was this a good enough trust exercise for you to at least hear me out?”

I bat his arms away.

“Explain,” I repeat.

“He hasn’t told me what he has planned. But there are far more fae here than usual,” he says. “It feels off.”

He runs his hand through his hair—that’s twice now during this conversation, as if he can’t help himself. Is it a nervous tick or one that shows he’s lying?

I should have made Josie come with me.

“I only wanted to warn you. I don’t think he deserves the element of surprise,” he says. Then he grimaces. “AndI wanted to put in that little request because I can’t help but be a bit selfish.”

“That’s it?” I ask.

He marks anXover his heart. I shake my head.

This was fucking pointless.

“I will consider it,” I say.

The grin that spreads across his face could blind a fae with one glimpse.

“Thank y?—”

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