Page 45 of An Unexpected Ascension
“Well, that answers that question.”I frown.
“It says that your desires must be controlled, but does that mean we’ll still get them?”
My face heats, navy eyes and dark hair coming to mind.
“Do you?”
“No, of course not.” She snorts. “Who would I even… wait a second! What about you, missy?”
“Don’t even start.” I groan.
She smirks, but decides to let it go.
“Hey, I have to get going too. I promised Sister Agatha I wouldpick her up another bible for the older kids, we had one join yesterday.”
“Isn’t that sweet of you?!”
I walk her to the door, slumping against it as she leaves. There’s a dull ache inside of me that I desperately want to feel in whole. I want to cry and mourn my mother, my life. I want to rewatch old memories and bask in the good times, but the cave has been tainted.
There’s no way I can go back there after the demon’s demand this morning. I don’t know exactly how long it’s been, but I know enough time has passed that he’s surely realized I refuse to obey any of his orders.
As if the very thought of him brought him forth, Hermes stands before me.
“What are you doing in my home?” I growl, shoving to my feet.
“It seems I’ve been summoned.”
“You have not!”
“Thinking of me, Angel?”
My teeth grit together, the arrogance of this demon grating on my nerves.
“Because I’ve been thinking about you.” He inches forward.
“No! Not at all, actually.”
A noise pings inside of me, my penance appearing above my head. We watch as the number ofHail Marysincreases by two.
My stomach drops as the corner of his lips twitch.
“Did you just lie?”
I pinch my mouth shut, afraid to deny it, but desperate not to admit it. Do I think about the demon? Yes... in spiteful ways, vengeance always clouding those daydreams, but I rather he not know how often it is that I allow it to happen.
The way he prowls closer makes me feel like a hunted animal, though the fear I felt in the cave is dampened by the effects of Heaven. With my emotions suppressed, my mind feels clearer than ever. How easy it will be to deny him here.
“What do you want, Hermes?”
At the sound of his name, he pauses.
“You. In Hell. Where you belong.”
I roll my eyes. “This again?”
“This again.” He smirks. “You were supposed to come to the cave.”
I press my back further into the door behind me, my hand slowly inching towards the handle.
