Page 58 of Spark of Madness

Keep the secret in exchange for his help.

My life already has an expiration date, and my soul is already damned. I may as well take my warden to hell with me.

chapter nineteen

Arlo

I FLING OPENthe door to my bedroom to stop the insistent knocking. “What?”

I’m taken aback at the sight of Mercy standing before me, her fist raised mid-knock, encased in her overwhelming aura of wildflowers and starlight. I expected it was one of my brothers with the persistent rapping at the door. If I’d had any inkling she would be calling on me unexpectedly, I wouldn’t have answered the door with such indecency. My shirt is unbuttoned, hanging open at my sides, exposing my chest and torso.

She drops her hand as her eyes land on me, skimming down my front. My head inclines with curiosity to watch her scan me so boldly. She blinks a little too long before raising her chin a little higher, forcing herself to meet my eyes.

Her jaw is set, expression taut. “I’d like to speak with you.”

“Then speak.”

“May I come in?”

My pulse thrums at the request, both with anxiety and anticipation. It’s a dangerous game she and I have been playing, yet I want to play it. I return her appraising gaze to drink her in, instant frustration tightening a knot in my stomach at her maddening beauty.

Her white-blonde hair cascades in perfect, tumbling waves over her slender shoulders, and even though her crimson dress is plain and hangs somewhat loose on her frame, she looks like an angel—a fallen angel, but an angel, nonetheless. She’s a thing of beauty, once from heaven, though she’s fallen from grace to rule in the kingdom of demons.

Against my better judgment, I step back, sweeping my arm to welcome her into my room. I watch as she breezes past me, her fingers twisting nervously in front of her as she moves across the room. I shut the door as she turns to face me, then leans back on the sideboard against the far wall. She curls her fingers around the edge at either side of her hips.

Ifonly her fingers curled around me the same.

I move forward a couple of steps, then stop and cross my arms over my chest. I tilt my head, looking at her expectantly, and wait for her to speak.

“I’ve come to an unfortunate realization,” she says, her eyes are downcast, staring at a spot on the carpet.

“Oh?”

“I can’t win.” She looks up at me, and the silvery blue of her eyes sparkles. “I refused to accept it before, but I accept it now. My life is going to end in these trials, and I can’t go on pretending there’s a chance I’ll survive.”

My arms fall to my sides as an odd pang strikes my chest. “What made you come to this conclusion?”

She regards me with a piercing stare. “I’m capable of reflection. In any case, I’d like your help, if you’re willing to give it.”

“I’m your warden; it’s my role to help. But what exactly is it you want my help with?”

She swallows. “Finding absolution for my soul.”

My breath catches.

I want absolution for her soul, too.

The thought of her burning for an eternity causes an ache I can hardly bear.

“I want that for you, too, Mercy.”

“And I want it for Delle.”

“She’ll find it in the trials.”

Mercy shakes her head, starlight brushing over her shoulders. “No, she won’t.” She pushes off the sideboard and takes a slow step in my direction. “She doesn’t understand the choice she’s made. If she could take it back, she would.”

“What’s done is done. She made the choice, and she has to live with the consequences.”

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