Page 36 of Queen of the Wicked
“Impressive,” Kael noted, tilting his head back to examine the cave ceiling. “And you do not need weapons? Your power is still that strong after all of these years?”
Erebos curtly nodded. “I was born with dark magic. I’ve never needed weapons.”
“Fascinating,” Kael replied, intrigued. Alessia’s gut rolled with dread at the sheer excitement across his face. “Oh, this is going to beveryentertaining. I am sad to see there are no souls already down here, though.” The red aura appeared, flaring brightly.
Erebos shrugged with a tick from his jaw. “We haven’t had any souls in weeks. When Izara goes to collect them, there are nonethere.”
“Are you insinuating His Majesty is committing fraud?”
“I’m not insinuating anything, Kael, but if the shoe fits?—”
“If anyone is to insinuate, it should be His Majesty and myself. Things have been too quiet here in Hell for centuries, even before King Bastian took over. Too smoothly, in fact. No complaints, low death rates… Hardly any,actually, so if you would like to discussthat,then I would be more than willing.”
“If we had souls to punish, I’m sure there would be more death,” Izara replied snarkily.
“Izara,” Erebos warned.
Kael twisted around to summon Alessia closer, but she was frozen to the stone walkway that separated the stone platform and the lava. Her entire body shook in fear. This place was not somewhere safe.So much wrong had been done here that she could feel it in her very bones.
“You are scared of the platform?” Kael looked to Erebos. “She does not come here with you for your sessions? I thought you told me once that torturing was your only way of finding relief. Catalina seemed to loveit when we’d watch.”
The name triggered that power inside of her, but Alessia shushed it and kept her eyes focused on Erebos.
She didn’t know the correct answer. What was she supposed to do? How was she meant to act?
Erebos stuck his hand out to her, so she sucked in a breath and carefully crossed the bridge to the platform, tucking her hand in his. He strummed his thumb across the back of her palm, reassuringly giving Alessia the strength she desperately needed.
“Your eyes are fascinating.” Kael took a step closer to her and studied them. “The red iris…”
Alessia smiled shyly. “A trait from my mother, I was told.”
“I see. And how were you selected to be his whore? You are timid. Nothing he normally indulges in.”
As he continued to roam his gaze over her in a scrutinizing manner, Alessia started to catch on. She had toput on the persona that she didn’t care about flaunting her body to get this man off her back. He wanted to see her be sexual. He wanted to believe she was a harlot.
As degrading as it was, she could either prove herself or have Erebos questioned further, and neither of them could afford to be caught in this lie.
Sending him a cocky grin, she rolled her shoulders back and shrugged. “I was instructed to behave myself, but I don’t assume you are the type of man who wants me to behave. Am I right or wrong?”
“Lillian.”Erebos tightened his grip, but Kael held out his hand to interrupt.
“You read me well,” he said. “And your accent is…modern compared to others who reside here. How long ago did you die? How long have you been Erebos’s whore?”
She hated that damn word.
Finally, Erebos tossed her that rope to their mental mind link, and she tugged at it, reminding herself never to let it go again.He cannot know about the seraph you killed. He is fishing for information. I am sorry about disrespecting your wishes, but believe me about this when?—
I am under strict orders from Isla to save your ass,she shot back quickly.You can thank her later for my cooperation. Also, until Kael leaves, the mind link will be open. You may talk to me as you wish. For now.
“About six months ago. Car crash. Tragic. But Erebos took one look at me and was hooked. Can you blame him?” She moved her dress up higher, revealing the apex of her thigh, and Kael seemed pleased. Erebos, on theother hand, squeezed her hand so tightly she feared it might break.
“I can’t say I can. And does pain please you, too,Lillian? Are you seeking it right now?”
“Oh,yes.I am constantly seeking it. It’s the reason His Majesty is so infatuated.”
“Then please, don’t let me stop you. I am always in the mood for a show.” Kael pointed to the throne in the center of the platform, and Alessia’s breath hitched in her throat. It was a trick question, and judging by the smile on Kael’s face, he knew she wasn’t up to the challenge.
He was highly interested in her for whatever reason, and Alessia couldn’t figure out why. But the one thing she wasn’t? A liar. And she wasn’t about to start now.
