Page 78 of A Match Made in Hell
‘He won’t hurt me,’ I tell them.
Except he already has. Just not in the way they’d expect.
‘Amelia’s right,’ Harper says. ‘Just because you and he – well, I’m not entirely sure, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to start an argument with him.’
‘Trust me, okay? Sath and I have an understanding. If I can make him listen . . . Think about it. You wouldn’t wake up in fear any more. You could go anywhere in Asphodel without peering over your shoulder. You’d be happy here. An endless supply of entertainment, food and drink, an eternity together with no worry one of you is going to be torn apart by a demon with a temper problem.’
Saying it out loud, it sounds almost pleasant. If Sath got the demons and the gates under control, would I want that for myself?
All I ever wanted was to be proud of you. I’m not sure my becoming a revolutionary was part of Mum’s plan.
But as usual, I can’t keep my mouth shut.
‘Asphodel shouldn’t belong to the demons,’ I go on. ‘That’s not what it was built for. They’ve corrupted everything good about this place for too long. Let me try and help you before –’
The words stick in my throat. I’m about to leave them before I ever got to know them. For all my complaints that Sath made me wait between each task, I want to beg him to drag out this final one. Time has slipped away from me like granules of sand running between my fingers, and now my palms are empty. Just like in my life, I wasted what I had, delayed the things I should be doing.
The least I can do is help them before I go.
‘Wait here.’ Ignoring their cries of protest, I storm away. Sath’s not in his rooms – probably avoiding me, the coward – but I find him easily enough, hiding in a far corner of the library. He’s sprawled on a large armchair, supposedly reading another one of his dusty books, although it appears to be upside down. Notes are scattered all over the floor, some sort of diagram etched on the closest piece of paper, but it’s hard to make out what it depicts. It would be pitch-black in here if it weren’t for the way the shelves glow blue, like tanks in an aquarium that contain books rather than fish, and the way that light bathes Sath’s face makes him look otherworldly. Beautiful. I hate him for it.
The topmost shelf is easily twenty feet above me, and there are no ladders to be seen. I stare at a particularly thick tome and thinkdown.
To my immense satisfaction, the book flies from the shelf and drops on his head.
Sath swears at the impact, jerking upright and – his gaze locks on mine. I go hot and cold all at once.
He rejected me. Herejectedme.
‘Willow . . .’ He tucks the book down the side of his chair. ‘I’m glad you came.’
I have just enough self-control to refrain from pointing out that, as far as last night goes, I categorically did not come. ‘If you wanted to see me, you could have found me yourself.’
He piles up the notes and tucks them into his jacket pocket before answering. Given his lack of immediate apology, I’m going to assume they don’t contain a love letter. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d want me to.’
‘I don’t,’ I retort. ‘I’m only here because I want you to make me a promise.’
He approaches me carefully, like a hunter closing in on a wounded animal that can still bite. ‘If it’s within my power, I’ll give you anything.’
A dangerous offer. There are plenty of things he has the power to give me that he’s already refused to give. ‘When I’m gone, I want you to do something about the demons. Once and for all. No more hiding, or excuses. Aric attacked Henry again today, and I can’t leave knowing they’re in danger. I can’t live the rest of my life wondering what’s happening to them. Promise me they’ll be safe.’
His throat bobs. ‘I promise . . . once your final task is complete, I’ll do what needs to be done. They’ll have the best chance I can give them.’
I narrow my eyes. He’s being awfully accommodating. Maybe he’s feeling guilty. ‘Well. Good. Glad that’s settled. I’ll leave you to your book.’
‘Willow, wait.’ His hand snakes around my wrist, and my pulse jumps at the contact. Traitor.
I snatch my arm away. ‘We have nothing else to discuss.’
‘I got you something.’
This makes me pause. I love presents. ‘Is it something nice?’
‘I hope so.’ The corner of his mouth tugs up. ‘I went to the vaults earlier today, and I found –’
He pulls something small and silver from his pocket. Something I recognise.
Mesmerised, I stare at it, the metal band making me forget every reason I had to leave this room. ‘That’s . . .’
