Page 226 of The Wishing Game

"Well, yes." I bite my lip. "I want to know if they arejustevil or also misogynistic."

"You..." he trails off, looking at me strangely. Then he suddenly bursts into laughter.

I gawk at him. When did I see him laugh before—did I ever?

His eyes crinkle around the corners, his face transforming under my gaze. Gone are the edge of severity and the touch of arrogance etched on his features, replaced with a levity that makes him appear younger, more...handsome.

A low hum vibrates in my lower belly, and I avert my gaze.

"So?" I ask awkwardly.

"They do have daughters, of course. But you are correct in one aspect. Within their ranks, only males are warriors. Females are tasked with the rearing of children."

I nod pensively.

"Why are you telling me all of this? I'm an outsider and a human, after all." I crack a smile.

"Because I will need your assistance."

"What?" I squeak. "What do you mean?"

"You heard the king. He will not tell me where the vial of Arche is, and the only other person who knows its location is the high priestess. I have no doubt that he will warn her to put up her wards against me in the temple so I cannot enter, which is why I require the assistance of a female who can go inside undetected."

My lashes flutter in confusion.

"But why would he do that if the situation is so dire? Shouldn't he want to help you?"

"Theoretically. But because it ismewho made the request, he will not budge. There is also the matter of his pride, and he believes he can protect the artifact on his own when I know for certain he cannot."

"What is so important about that artifact? What about the other thirteen? Aren't they as important?"

"They are, but in this case, it is the combination of the vial and the chalice that is dangerous. The vial contains the blood of a Primordial. If drunk from the chalice, it will give immense powers to its user. I do not want to imagine what the Sons of Tenebreis will do with that type of power."

I mull over his words, conflicted.

"I heard your conversation, Ze. If the priestess breaks her vow and tells you where the artifact is, she will die, won't she?"

"It is what it is." He shrugs.

"What exactly do you need me to do?"

Why am I even entertaining this thought? I should have told him no from the start. Yet I heard how dangerous these demons are, and I do not want to imagine what would happen to my world if they were to walk freely between worlds.

"I will not ask anything dangerous of you, rest assured. I will merely need you to infiltrate the temple and defuse the wards meant to keep me out. Then I shall find the high priestess and extract the location of the artifact from her."

"I don't know." I nibble at my lower lip. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with aiding you in killing someone."

"It is for the greater good," he replies, his eyes boring into mine. "I will protect you, Luce," he continues. "Please?"

My brows shoot up in surprise. Who is he and what has he done with Ze? Last night he apologized and vowed he'd never threaten Thea again, and now he's sayingplease?

Fascinating.

"I guess I could do that."

His lips pull into a beaming smile.

"You are the only one I would trust with this," he murmurs in a low voice as he takes my hand in his. His thumb lazily strokes my flesh, his purple eyes glowing as he looks at me.

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