Page 42 of The Heir
I narrow my eyes at the man. He stares back, sweeping his gaze from head to toe. Ellacraveshis approval—that much is obvious. But he doesn't seem too willing to give it to her. That puts a smirk on my face, and I shift my focus to Ella. She doesn't notice in the slightest. Hannah pokes her head around the door frame and scowls at me.
"What are you smiling about, huh?" She points a gloved finger.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing. Just such anhonorto meet the Nephilim." I glare back. "Truly, so impressive."
The Nephilim turns back to me and scrutinizes my unkempt appearance. I square my shoulders and stand up to my full height, not breaking his gaze. His thin lip curls again as he sneers, obviously waiting for me to fall in deference. I grin. "Like I said, an honor to meet you."
"Sit the fuck down, Dante," Ella snarls.
"Your pet is quite ill-behaved," the Nephilim says, still staring at me. "I thought better of you, Beacon."
"He is—but nothing a little corrective action can't fix, hmm? Hannah, would you be so kind as to sedate ourguest?"
"Fucking try it," I whisper under my breath. My hands itch, aching to wrap around the length of metal I've hidden away. I may be weak, and I may be captured, but I could still beat the shit out of them. In fact, I'm looking forward to it. The Nephilim may have Ella wrapped around his slimy finger, but his posh aura only disgusts me.
He represents centuries of hate between the Goetia and Seraph, and if I don't kill him? I know Melody will. I can only hope I'll be able to see it.
"Is that necessary?" The Nephilim raises a hand. "Really, Beacon? You require medical intervention to keep your pet at bay?"
"Wh—no! Of course not!" Ella flushes a deep red. "I just thought it might beeasierfor now, considering your presence."
"I must say, I'm not impressed." He sniffs. "You were quite convincing on the phone, but now… I don't know what to think. One man, his wife, a few guards… what else?"
"What else?" Ella gasps. "I—sir, I don't think you understand the situation. I have captured TheDantalion. I have his wife. I have his guard. This is—this is simply a proof of concept, sir. It means they're not untouchable. I proved it!"
"They're human," the man deadpans. "Of course, they're not untouchable. We are all just people. Someof us with a more righteous cause, of course, but all this shows me is that your plandidwork. Yes, it worked. But it took years, did it not? Nearly a decade of infiltrating The Dantalion's inner circle?"
I can't stop the shit-eating grin spreading across my face. This is amazing. Ella's getting dressed down by her boss—her idol—and I get to watch? God, this is almost better than watching Melody tear a man to pieces. I kick back on the cot, crossing my ankles and looping my hands behind my head.
"Yes, but—"
"—but what?" The Nephilim interrupts a fuming Ella. "How does this plan scale? Do you already have eyes with the other Goetia?"
Ella is practically spitting with rage. Her face is tomato red, and Hannah's stricken expression is downcast. I chuckle under my breath.
"… no."
"Hmm. Perhaps I was too hasty in my decision. You may not be ready for Beaconhood, after all."
Something snaps in Ella. I watch the blood drain from her face, going from a shining red to a sickly pale white. She clenches and unclenches her fists. Hannah stares at the floor, not saying a word. I feel like I need popcorn.
"I understand, sir." Ella squares her shoulders. "I would prefer you hold judgment until you see what we have planned."
She shoots an icy glare in my direction, and my smile drops. What thefuckdoes she have planned?
Melody
Atall, pale man stares at me with mild disgust. He must be the big, important guy Ella was talking about. I glare back, clenching my fists at my sides. Ella looks like she's barely containing her rage. Good. Fuck her. Fuck this pale, blond man. Fuck this whole place. The back of my skull vibrates with the overwhelming urge to fucking kill her. Not even the nausea in my gut candissuade me.
"So, this is the wife?" The man sniffs.
"She's more than that." Ella rifles through her pockets and pulls out a key ring. I watch her unlock my cell door as I try to keep my breathing slow and calm. "I told you to reserve your judgment."
"That you did, though I'm not sure why. Is one filthy woman supposed to change my mind?"
Filthy? I'll show him filthy. I'll show him rage and murder incarnate. I'll rip the sleek blond hair from his scalp. I'll gut him like a fish and feed him his entrails.
"It's what she can do. It's what she lives for." Ella smirks and throws the door open before turning to Hannah. "Would you mind retrieving her toy?"
