Page 71 of Magic of Sins

Number four, Caden knew all of this and didn’t tell me. I still don’t know what part I play in his little game. Did he really think he was freeing me by bringing out my powers? Or was there more to it than that?

And finally, number five, Ava…

Lying there. Dead. Murdered.

My best friend is dead because I’m carrying a dark secret.

The water from the shower mixes with my tears. I try to find the strength to stand up again, but it all seems so terribly pointless. After a while the water starts to turn cold, but I barely notice. Ava’s gone, and she’s never coming back. How am I supposed to go on now?

From the next room I hear the clatter of dishes and Caden talking to a woman. It must be that Catherine he was talking about. Maybe she’s the owner of the brothel.

After the woman says her goodbyes and her footsteps depart, I make myself get up. I can’t sit here forever. Maybe Caden will take me back to the palace. I don’t want to go back to my apartment. Not after everything that’s happened.

I quickly dry myself off. On a hook by the door I find a fluffy white bathrobe, which I put on instead of the horrible princessdress. In the mirror I check my face for traces of tears. I can’t do anything about the redness in my eyes, but hopefully Caden will blame it on fatigue.

When I come out of the bathroom, he’s sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with his fingers interlaced behind his head. Next to him is a tray with two steaming cups of tea and a few buttered biscuits. He sits up and looks at me anxiously.

“Are you feeling better?”

I nod and settle on the edge of the bed, trying to subtly wipe at my face because his question brings fresh tears to my eyes.

He nods as well. “That’s good, because we still have a ways to go,” he says.

And that’s when I realize this nightmare is far from over.

Chapter Nineteen

Just one more thing.That’s all that is needed of me, Caden promised. One performance that will show all the sin mages in the East End who’s in charge and make sure no one ever touches a hair on my head again. I want to trust him, but his plan doesn’t make it easy for me. Not as long as it involves me wearing this horrible black silk dress with the golden snake slithering across the back.

We are standing in the great hall of the Asmodia. Normally the girls sit here and wait for their suitors. There is a bar and several sitting areas, a large fireplace, and a bookcase made of dark wood that takes up an entire side of the room. Luxurious chandeliers hang from the ceiling.

I stand next to Caden on a little stage at the head of the room. A golden tiara sparkles in my dark brown hair. But this time it wasn’t put there to mock me. Instead, it shows everyone who I am: Princess of the Empire by day, Queen of the Underworld by night. With Caden as king at my side. It’s a title I hate to wear, but Caden has assured me it’ll save my life.

Slowly, the hall is filling up. I furtively look at the faces in the assembled crowd. The red lips and the golden powdered cheeks of the ladies, the roaming gazes of the gentlemen. Some of them were in the strip club last night, laughing and applauding as they pushed me around. As their hands slid over my body and the alcohol from their glasses wet my lips.

But that’s over now.

I clench my hands into fists. No one will push me around anymore. No one will force me in a direction I don’t want to go.

Caden moves a little closer, as if he knows how much I need him near me for this. I’m a lion cub among hyenas. Seemingly helpless, I’m going to have to prove to them today that I’m anything but. And my scandalous attire is just the beginning.

In his top hat and black tailcoat, holding a walking stick that has a pommel in the shape of a golden snake with its mouth wide open, Caden looks as elegant as I do. Only he wears his outfit with a self-assured arrogance, while I feel like a dressed-up impostor.

Rey and Choi stand next to the stage. The chauffeur is looking at her fingernails, seemingly bored, while Choi scrutinizes everyone present.

We’re waiting for the last guests to arrive. Caden has invited the most powerful sin mages in East Virtue to the Asmodia. I already count close to fifty people. Onlookers, and others who didn’t dare turn down Caden’s invitation.

Jared is the last to stroll through the doors. He’s still wearing the sequined top hat from the previous night. His burgundy suit is wrinkled, like he slept in it. Presumably Syrus and he drank all night celebrating their victory before noticing our escape.

Jared is accompanied by Syrus and three other men I recognize from the night before. They were the ones who beat up Caden at the Crime and Punishment.Jared still seems very sure of himself. A smirk spreads across his face when his gaze lands on me.

“Hello, Princess,” he greets me effusively.

I don’t reply, instead I merely raise my eyebrows as I’ve observed Caden do countless times. Hopefully it comes off as arrogant as I’m hoping it does.

Jared winks at me, unimpressed. Then he turns to Caden.

“I see you made it through our meeting yesterday. Care for another round?”

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