Page 211 of Of Sins and Sacrifice

“You can give him plenty of things, but it seems his power only decreases when he receives something that means something to the owner. All the other times, nothing happens. In fact, he even recovered some of his strength when I gave him something I didn’t care for.”

“That’s…interesting. It would make sense, though, since true charity is giving something you yourself need or covet.”

“We should make a list of things we care about that we might offer to the demon,” I say, though right as the words come out of my mouth, I realize there aren’t too many things I’m personally attached to.

Mine, though, surprises me when he takes a piece of paper and starts writing. Curious, I scoot over and peer at his paper.

The first thing is, of course, soap. I roll my eyes. He could have written Minnie—not that I want him to give me to the demon. But why shouldn’t I be at the top of the hierarchy anyway?

I surreptitiously watch him fill out his list with pretty mundane stuff, still waiting to see my name written in that pretty script of his. He does have nice handwriting. But I suppose it is to be expected of someone as perfect as him.

When he still doesn’t write my name, I decide to probe a little and give him a slight nudge.

“What did you write? Let’s compare lists.”

His brows go up. I am so close to him I can see everything, and he knows it. But he decides to indulge me as he reads off his list. When it’s my turn, I start with the obvious, “Lucien de Vitry,” I say pointedly.

His eyes widen.

“Me? You’d give me to the demon?” He blinks.

“It’s the list of the most important things to me. You are first,” I say with a huff.

“I appreciate that, but I hope that doesn’t mean you’re ready to relinquish me to that nasty demon.”

I roll my eyes at him. “Of course not, Mine. But you are first on the list nonetheless.”

“So you don’t plan to sacrifice me?” He wiggles his brows.

“No. I would never give you up, not even to destroy a demon.”

“My, my, but that’s high praise indeed,” he adds in a satisfied voice. “Am I to understand I am more important to you than defeating the big bad?”

“Of course.” I don’t see how that’s not evident. “There are countless other people who can defeat the demon, but there isonly one of you.” I pause to look at him. He has a dreamy look on his face, his chin propped on his hand as he stares at me with a languid smile.

“Would you make the same decision if people’s lives were at risk?” he asks quietly.

I shrug. “It doesn’t matter.”

He purrs his approval. He actually purrs.

“So now you know my position. Why am I not first on your list?” I ask directly since he can’t seem to take a hint. “Am I not the most important for you?” I narrow my eyes at him.

He’s taken aback by my outburst.

“Ah, Minnie.” He chuckles. “You are far too important.” Getting out of his seat, he comes before me, drops to his knees, and takes my hands in his. “I don’t need to make a list for that. And the reason your name is not first is because I wouldneverentertain giving you up for any reason at all.”

“Not even to save innocent lives?”

“No. You see, there are millions of innocent people out there and only one of you. I willalwayschoose you.”

“You…would?”

“Without a second thought.”

“Good male.” I pat him on the head. He gives me a brilliant smile before he stands up and starts poring over his sheet of paper again.

After most of the camp has gone to sleep, we sneak out of our cabin and head to where Holloway is being held. Mine has a few of his precious items with him, including his favorite soap, a shirt his mother gifted him before he went to war, and a letter from his parents. Since I have very few belongings in this world, I decided to opt for the fancy items of clothing I bought with my allowance, though I am a little sad to see them gone. But I suppose that is the entire purpose of this so-called charity.

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