Page 23 of Infernal

“No.” Well, not in the physical sense, anyway.

I couldn’t help but notice his expression eased with something that looked a lot like relief.

“Then would you mind telling me what’s going on?” he asked, clearly irritated. “What exactly did he say to you?”

“He said a lot of things, Dominic. Most of which only confirmed what I already knew about myself, like what a shitty person I am and how much Trace is disgusted with me because of our…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, but Dominic already knew that I was talking about our bloodbond.

“I see.” A weighty breath of silence passed between us before he finally spoke. “And seeing that you called Blondie instead of me, obviously you ate up every word of it.”

“Well, it’s not exactly farfetched.”

“He’s trying to break you down.”

“And you know this because…?”

“Believe me, angel. I know a snake when I see one,” he said, and I couldn’t help but detect a hint of pride in his tone. “For some reason or another, he wants you weak and alone, and you’re playing right into his hand.”

I opened my mouth to deny it, but I couldn’t seem to find the words. If he was trying to get me to do something, say, take my place beside him in the Underworld, then isolating me from my friends would be a good way to start.

“What else did he say?” he pushed, somehow knowing there was more.

I wanted to tell him all about the horror story he told me, staring me as the Princess of Hell, but I still couldn’t shake what Lucifer said about my memories, or Taylor’s theory about what had happened to them. Unfortunately, the seed of doubt had been planted, and it was impossible to ignore it now.

“He said that someone’s been messing with my mind.” I shot him an accusatory look. “With my memories.”

I waited for him to deny it, but all I got in return was earsplitting silence.

8. WHAT LIES BENEATH

Dark silhouettes of trees blurred past us as Dominic barreled down the long stretch of road. I stared at him for what felt like an eternity, and though it was probably only a few passing seconds, it was more than enough time to clear all moisture from my mouth.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” I asked him, though, deep down in that place I rarely ventured, I already knew the answer to that.

“I’m waiting for you to ask me a question.” His gaze landed heavy on me. “That is what you’re leading up to, isn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“Then ask me.”

God, I was trying to, but I could barely get my tongue off the roof of my mouth. Reining in my nerves, I forced myself to meet his eyes. “Did you do something to my mind?”

“I’ve compelled you before. You know that.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“Then you’re going to have to be more specific, angel.”

My eyes narrowed as I took him in, watching for any signs of unease or deception. “Have you ever compelled me…to forget something?”

More radio silence.

“Dominic!”

He didn’t look at me when he answered. “Yes.”

Was he responding to my prompt, or was he answering the question? “Yeswhat?”

His eyes bore into me when he finally faced me. “Yes, I’ve compelled you to forget.”

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