Page 54 of A Sin So Pure

When I was eighteen, I learned that my magic didn’t have to kill instantly. I could draw it out if I wanted. Make them feel every second of their death. I’ve only gotten more precise since. Now, I don’thaveto kill them once I start using my magic, though it’s much harder.

My magic pricks at my fingertips, searing through the nerve-endings on Jamison’s skin. It weaves excitedly between the muscles and bone in his jaw. I don’t control fire, but I can match the sensation of his skin burning off, the layers of flesh breaking apart under my hand.

Death is a wicked kind of magic to wield.

“This is bullshit,” he groans.

“This is business, babe.” I smack his cheek, teasing him with a moment of relief when our connection breaks. But I’m back at it the second our skin reconnects. “Now tell us who killed my people.”

“They sent two of the goons from outside,” Josie scoffs.

“And was it you who ordered it?” I ask, though Jamison moans through his pain.

He doesn’t have to answer. He just has to listen to me and let his mind think of the answers. Josie will pick up the rest.

“No,” Josie says.

“Thenwho, Jamie?” I growl. “How did you know to place their bodies like that? Why did you leave the girl alive?”

The questions tumble from me without warning. Under my cold mask, my rage churns in my belly, my magic goading it from its place between my ribs. They swirl together, my fury and my magic, a volatile cocktail.

My magic wants me to stop wasting time and?—

“Nora,” Josie whispers.

Our eyes meet over Jamison’s shoulder, and I instantly let go of his face, my magic pulling back with my hand. Red blotches of molted flesh score across his cheeks and arms. Blood seeps through his clothes, turning his white shirt crimson. He groans, head lolling to the side.

I went too far.

Shit, sorry,I think.

Josie shakes her head, a soundless response ofit’s okay.

She steps away from Jamison, back straightening.

“We’ve got our answers. We can go.”

“And?” I ask.

Josie hesitates before speaking. “A Seelie man came to them months ago, after you first agreed on a deal. He had green eyes and white hair. And he offered them a pardon if they did as he asked.”

His name, Josie. I need you to say it out loud. Silas will find out either way.

“Only a Virtue or the Queen can pardon a Seelie exile,” Silas says, appearing at my side. “Which one was it?”

Josie works her jaw.

“Patience,” she says.

It’s not a surprise to me, but Silas goes eerily still at the name. His posture turns rigid, and his face contorts with icy rage. He quickly schools his features into indifference, but he wasn’t fast enough to hide the reaction completely.

How very interesting.What is our king hiding?

“This one doesn’t know more than that.” Josie points to Jamison. “In his eyes, they were given instructions and completed a job by their superiors.”

I clear my throat.

“Thank you, Josie. I have one more question and then we can be done.”

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