Page 37 of Touch of Death
If I know anything about Eros, and I do, I can only begin to imagine what he plans to do with her. This thought alone is more than enough to tempt me into tracking him down and ending whatever tentative peace we have established.
After allowing myself a moment to contemplate what I would do to him, I realize that Hazel is still waiting for an answer.
“I cannot say for sure,” I admit, “but I believe he will try to teach you hisartby trying to perform it on you.”
“Oh,” she gasps, her cheeks warming, as she looks away again.
“What did you expect, little one?”
“I don’t know, but … do you really think he would waste his powers on me? I am nothing but a mortal; surely, he would prefer to show me what to do with a more suitable partner?”
She shakes her head, and I watch as she struggles to overcome her surprise. Part of me wants to believe she is now regretting her decision to accept his help, but another part of me worries that she is enticed by the idea.
So, I refrain from asking.
“You are so far from being nothing, Hazel,” I say, reaching out to lift her chin with the edge of a finger. “Here, amongst these demons, you areeverything. You are a light amidst and endless world of darkness, and we but dark moths to your flame. Eros would be lucky to have you.”
I grimace as I say this, but I cannot deny the truth in them. He would be lucky, if he does not end up dead first.
“You flatter me,” she says with a snort of disbelief. “I know the life I led before, and I—"
“No, I simply speak the truth. Think of your father,” I say firmly, my heart swelling with affection and admiration for her. “Think of him, of what you gave up to save him. You have already proven the great worth of your soul, and Eros would be a fool not to see it.”
Again, I hate myself for bringing up his name, but I cannot allow her to thinksheis the one not worthy ofhim.
Hazel says nothing to this. Her brow furrows as she looks up at me for a moment before gently pulling away from my grip.
I am reluctant to let her go, but I have no choice.
She moves several steps away, turning so that her back is to me, and I am unable to make out any of her emotions as I stare at her. Slowly, she turns back to look at me, her large eyes soft as they search my face.
“Sydian, I want y—” she starts just as the doors to the room are thrown open.
Infuriated, I turn toward them, expecting to find Eros standing before me to ruin things once more.
Except it is not him. Two succubae stand at the threshold, their expressions nervous as they glance at me before quickly dropping their eyes to the floor.
“You’re to change and meet Eros for dinner,” one of the females says, her eyes slowly lifting to look up at me through heavy lashes, a smirk on her lips.
So, this is the game Eros wants to play? Unfortunately for him, I have little interest in the dark creatures of his court and their wicked charms.
“And we have been instructed to help,” the other says as they both step into the room. My eyes narrow on them, taking in the garments draped over their arms, and I let out a sigh.
“Very well, let us get this over with,” I say, knowing full well these creatures have been sent to spy on us in Eros’ absence, and my moment alone with Hazel has passed.
17
Hazel
Two of the most beautiful women I have ever seen step into the room, and I watch as they hungrily eye Death before one of them moves toward me.
“Let’s get you cleaned up,” she says, glancing over her shoulder at Death and her companion as she takes my arm and drags me toward another door.
I look back just as the other woman leads Death behind a dressing partition on the opposite side of the room.
For a split second, I feel a sickening sense of jealousy settle in the pit of my stomach as I imagine the strange woman watching Death undress. Pushing this thought aside, I try to focus on the task at hand as I’m pulled into a private bathroom.
The woman busies herself with drawing a bath, the steam soon filling the spacious room. I warily watch as she pours several jars of something into the water before turning to beckon me over. I eye her, wondering if I can really trust her after seeing the effect Eros seems to have on those around him.
