Page 37 of Sin of the Saints

“But it’s only 7,” I peek at the clock hanging on the wall. “It’s not time to sleep yet.”

She sends me a petrifying look and I freeze in place.

“No, Bellcolor, it’s time to wake up.”

“Valentina?” I ask with a trembling voice.

The memory is so fresh. I didn’t know I still retained memories of my mother. Those eyes, they awaken something in me that I’d suppressed.

“My father will be furious when he hears what’s happened to his cabin. Especially since the location’s been burned, and I don’t mean that metaphorically.” She keeps spinning the gun on her finger like it’s a routine thing.

“I’m sorry,” I say honestly, continuing to examine just what has changed in her.

“I have a feeling you haven’t stopped apologizing from the day we’ve met. The question is whether you’re truly sorry.” She narrows her eyes and I swallow the lump growing in my throat under her piercing gaze.

“Where’s Bar… uh, Hillel?” I evade her stare and the embarrassing conversation. She’s right.

“Busy.” Her answer is curt. “You don’t have to worry about that now.”

“Okay.” I have no choice but to glare back at her. I don’t like her answer. When did she find the time to team up with him? And since when is it her concern whether I do or don’t have any reason to worry about him? “What happened with Libretto? How did you get out of the castle?”

She cocks her gun and I’m startled. “I’m not completely lacking in skills,” she chuckles.

“I didn’t mean to suggest otherwise. It’s just that all the Council members—”

“I didn’t see them,” she interrupts me. “I set up a diversion so you could escape. When they realized they were chasing their own tail, I got out of there.”

“And how did you find us here?”

“When I approached my father’s cabin I saw the pillar of smoke and heard the sirens from afar. I knew you wouldn’t be there, so I drove to the nearest farm. Fortunately, I know the area pretty well. You have nothing to worry about.”

“You keep saying that.” The irritation is clear in my voice. “I’m no child, I don’t understand why you and Hillel are treating me this way.”

She gives me a full and teeth-baring smile, and queasiness runs down my spine. “Of course, Lilith.” She leaps onto the bed and turns to the door. Before she leaves, she says: “Just so you know, I’d rather receive thanks than forgiveness.”

She’s right. She managed to track Bar down and rescue me from Libretto’s claws, and I didn’t thank her. And yet I have the feeling that I’m not safe with them.

She takes the stairs down to the first floor, and I press against the wall so I can silently track her.

“She’s grown so much,” I hear her whisper to Hillel.Grown? What does she mean?I cautiously descend the stairs and pray they don’t squeak, giving away my eavesdropping.

“She’s different. It’ll be a problem,” he answers, and chills run through me.

“You mustn’t underestimate her. Or you’ll be repeating my mistake.” He grunts something in response and I dare to peek at them. Hillel’s face is very close to Valentina’s, too close. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but Valentina’s lower lip starts quivering.

“Y-yes,” her voice is almost inaudible. A satisfied smile rises on his lips – and he presses his mouth to hers.

I fall backwards in shock.

“Don’t lose your innocence,” I hear Lilith’s words in my mind, but suddenly it seems like the wish of a far-too-innocent heart.

Chapter Twenty-One

Bellcolor

Ilie in the bed that belonged to the deceased couple, and breathe in the aged scents that cling to the pillows. It’s unpleasant, but it has a touch of charm to it. The knowledge that I’ll never exude a smell like that is like a knife to my heart. Humans fear aging, they see this natural process as rotting away their youth, whereas I pray for it because there’s nothing natural about me.

The door opens, and Hillel stands there, leaning against the doorjamb, looking at me.

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