Page 13 of Sin of the Saints

“Go! Now! You have to leave this castle before Libretto hears of this!” I shove her towards the door. The damned bell rings and I gasp in pain.

“W-what?” She tries to fight me off. Damn it, she’s strong even when she isn’t using full force.

“Valentina, go to the Vatican, look for Dr. Abano. You have to find out if he survived, and if not, look for Ellis. Tell him what happened here, tell him I’m willing to turn myself over to the Church.”

“Dr. Abano? I don’t understand what you’re saying. What does he have to do with this, what’s he doing at the Vatican? And why would you turn yourself in to the Church?”

“Valentina, please report to the main hall for a meeting with the Council,” a low and threatening voice intrudes into my room. Fuck, they know, and they’re surely watching us now.

I cling to Valentina, and whisper to her: “Whatever happens, don’t answer that summons. It’ll be the end of you. Get out of this room and run straight to the Vatican. They’ll tell you what to do. Now, Valentina, before it’s too late.”

She leaves the room. When the door opens, I notice the two guards assigned to my room. I know I have no chance of escaping with her.

Chapter Eight

Bellcolor

Aknock at the door. My hair stands on end.

I have no idea what happened to Valentina from the moment she left my room. Did she manage to get away? Did she find Bar? And if Bar’s gone, did she find Ellis? Did she even manage to infiltrate the holiest of holies? Did they believe her when she told them I was willing to turn myself in, or did they place an unbearable punishment upon her for the mere fact of her presence there? And if she managed to get away, what would happen to me? Libretto saw the camera footage of her in my room just before her escape. He must know I’m responsible.

Sooner or later I’ll have to pay for it.

I let out the air trapped in my lungs as I recognize Adina, the Council assistant, peeking into my room without really looking at me.

“The head of the Council invites you to a private dinner. Be ready at midnight. I’ll come pick you up.” She doesn’t wait for my answer, closing the door behind her and scurrying away.

A private dinner. Meaning just me and Ashmedai.

Me and my nightmare.

When Adina returns to my room, her head bowed as she refuses to look at me, I prepare for my last night in the realm of Man. But if this is the end for me, I have every intention of leaving my way, with my most lethal ‘go fuck yourself’ look. The real me – a long, red, collared backless dress, slit on the right side up to my pelvic bone, high heels courtesy of Louis Vuitton, hair loose, smoky black makeup and lips smeared burning red.

Adina opens my door wide so I can pass through with my black wings, and I hear the gasps of the two guards posted to my room. They’re wearing black, well-armed, probably well-trained too. Their weapons are useless, but I have no doubt that their fighting skills would ground me so long as this collar stays around my neck. It’s one reason I’m walking straight into the inferno without a fight. My fight isn’t with them, it’s with the one waiting for me.

I follow Adina down the long corridor. It’s empty, probably by Libretto’s command. He’s smart. He doesn’t want any of his troops to fall under my influence. Adina stops by a pair of double doors, not where I thought the supposed dinner would take place. She opens them and waits for me to enter.

I hesitate for a split-second, Lilith’s warning undermining my confidence, and a sense of foreboding blooms within me. I hold my head high and walk into Libretto’s bedroom.

Libretto turns to greet me, and as soon as his eyes fall upon me the crystal glass slips from his hand and shatters on the ground.

“Lilith,” he blurts out in a lewd groan.

“Ashmedai,” I purr, slinking my way towards him.

His body is frozen, his mouth hanging open, and he can’t make a sound even though I can see he wants to. Very much. Despite the rot and stench surrounding him, I lean in and whisper into his ear: “Won’t you offer me a drink?” I manage to get a whine out of him, the sound almost pitiful. I smile, pull back and stand tall. “No? I guess I’ll have to do help myself.” I stride to the round table, where a jug stands filled with crimson liquid and wine glasses. I pour the blood into the two glasses and hold one out to Libretto, who takes it from me with a trembling hand. I clink our glasses together and turn to sit in a chair I’ve pulled up in front of me. I cross my legs and Libretto chokes out another groan as my right leg is completely exposed, and the black lace panties I’m wearing peek out through the long slit.

I bring the glass to my parted lips. Libretto’s eyes can barely tare themselves away from my exposed skin to my mouth. I tilt the glass and just as the liquid almost touches my lips, I put it back down.

“You remember the time we took opium together?” I ask, examining his reaction. The disappointment following his expectation that I would drink is erased in an instant, and a nostalgic smile appears on his face.

“It took draining the entire London market before we could feel something,” he chuckles.

“But when we did… it was real, wasn’t it?”

“The most real thing I’ve ever felt.” His pupils are so narrow his eyes seem completely white.

“Yes,” I answer, bringing the cup to my lips again. My lips touch the rim of the glass, and a satisfied smile rises on Libretto’s lips.

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