Page 183 of Terror at the Gates

“Watch him,” he told Cassius and Gabriel.

I rolled my eyes as he took me by the arm and led me away from the group.

“There are other ways to do this,” Zahariev said, turningto face me fully. .

“This is an ideal situation,” I said. “It’s the easiest way to get into the temple without causing a stir.”

“I’m not worried about you getting in,” said Zahariev. “I’m worried about how you get out.”

“Magic,” I said, as if it were obvious.

“Lilith—”

“I know what you are going to say, but it is my choice.” This was different than when I’d suggested using my magic before. I was different. “There will be no greater opportunity than this. Lisk doesn’t know I am the accomplice.”

The last time I’d come face-to-face with the archbishop, he had still felt lust for me. I hadn’t been prepared for it then, but I would go into this aware and in power.

The element of surprise meant stronger emotions, making it easier to command him. I’d have him dismissing his enforcers and confessing to the location of the three daggers the instant his eyes connected with mine.

“He’ll come after you,” said Zahariev.

“Not if he’s dead.”

I didn’t think I needed to justify taking this man’s life after what he’d done to me as a child. His other wrongs only gave me more reason—my father’s murder, his plan to destroy the world.

I could end it all tonight.

I inched closer to Zahariev, my fingers brushing his hand.

“Let me do this,” I whispered.

I knew he’d relented when his fingers twined around mine. Warmth blossomed in my chest.

“I’ll give you fifteen minutes before I come in after you,” he said.

I grinned. “Deal.”

***

The ride to Hiram was quiet. I sat in the back beside Gabriel, who kept a gun aimed at the enforcer. He said his name was Uriah, and his partner, who was still out, head resting against the window, was named Matthew.

My arms were bound behind my back.

“I really don’t see why it’s necessary for them to be so tight,” I’d said, wriggling my hands back and forth before we left the overlook.

We were delayed in our departure while Zahariev returned to the compound to retrieve my knife. I hadn’t brought it to the outlook for obvious reasons, but now that our plans had changed, I didn’t want to go into the temple unarmed. It was a bit of a risk, taking the blade, but it was small enough to conceal and quiet when in use.

“They have to believe an enforcer actually restrained you,” Cassius argued.

“Yeah, but I need to get out of them when I’m ready,” I said.

“Can’t you just seduce someone into freeing you?” Cassius asked.

“Cass,” Zahariev snapped.

“You do it then,” he said, throwing up his hands. “This is thethirdtime!”

A second later, Zahariev approached to redo the bindings. I’d say on a scale of suspiciously loose to physically unyielding, they were somewhere in between.

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