Page 86 of A Sin So Pure

“And while he was unable to produce his desired results, he did find that his magic reacted poorly to forced commands.” I take a breath and a step forward. “Meaning that soul-stealer or not, he hypothesized that the relationship between magic andthe fae who wields it is an equal partnership rather than that of a master and servant.”

“So, how do you figure you’re managing it when he and many others before him could not?”

“I ask it nicely?” I shrug, the half-truth slipping out easily. “I told you as much when we made our deal. My magic knows what it wants. Itwantsto kill. To pull the breath from someone’s lungs. To hold a heart in a tight grip and squeeze. To separate flesh from bone. All I’ve done is convince it to savor the process.”

Silas’s dark eyes search my face, scanning over it like he’s seeing me for the first time. Then he nods.

“Start on the right, going left,” he says, pointing to the criminal chained beside me. “Aim for one minute and we’ll work our way up to the two-week delay needed to avoid any kind of suspicion from the Seelie.”

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat and nod.

And then we get to work.

22

IMOGEN

I’m lost in the grind behind the bar, high off the steady trickle of joy I pull from the room. My skin is flushed and my blouse sticks to my back, damp from running back and forth between patrons and the stockroom. I twirl, bouncing to the band’s upbeat music as I return two bottles of liquor to their respective homes on the shelf.

It’s good to be back.

A violent shiver shoots down my spine, the distinct rush of arousal pushing past all the other emotions. My head snaps to the couple at the end of the bar, who are deep throating each other’s tongues.

I smack the bar with my hand when I reach them, two firmwhacksthat has the couple turning my way with glazed expressions.

“Dance floor, back hallway, or bathroom,” I say, pointing in each direction. “But not at the bar. Other people need these seats to wallow and drink in. Got it?”

They share a dazed glance with each other before one mumbles and pulls the other towards the bathrooms. I snort, taking a moment to watch them retreat before getting back to work.

Two more fae take the open seats, and I grab their orders. As I place down the pint of beer and cocktail, a tanned hand rises above those at the other end, calling me over. As I get closer, a smile grows between my cheeks.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, eyes scanning Josie.

She’s leaning forward on the bar, the butterfly sleeves of her simple green dress fluttering above the wood. She tucks a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear; today, the straight strands cut a sharp line across her mid-neck. It’s shorter than normal—she must have gotten a fresh cut.

It’s a cute look on her.

“I figured I needed a night out. Blow off some steam,” she says with a shrug.

I place one hand on my hip and cock a single brow. “Yeah?”

“Mhm,” she hums. Josie’s head swivels, observant mahogany eyes making quick work of scanning the room and everyone in it.

“Okay,” I snort.She’s a shit liar.“Nora asked you to keep an eye on me while she was gone, didn’t she?”

She scrunches her nose, and while she doesn’t say it out loud, I know I’m correct.

“I can handle myself, you know,” I say.

“I know. She knows that too.”

“But.”

“But.” Josie rocks her head from side to side. “You know how she gets. And why can’t I do both? View it as an excuse to hang out like we used to.”

I scoff, though excited butterflies float in my belly at her words. I don’t think we’ve spent time alone together since college.

Another patron flags me over, and I give them a nod that I’ll be over in a second.

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