“Is that it?” He smiled. “You’re right, we don’t know each other very well, but the more we get to know each other, I think this bond will only get stronger.” He slid the strap of my tank top down and kissed my neck, then down to my shoulder, sending little bursts of electricity across my skin.

“It’s not just that. I came in here to talk to you, to ask you a favor.” I pushed him back so he was lying on the bed again, sitting up so I could clear my head without his lips distracting me. I bit my lip and stifled a moan when he rocked his hips under me. His cock begged to be freed from his sweatpants.

He groaned and pressed harder into me. “Ask me anything. Anything I can give you as a prince or a man, and it is yours.”

“I don’t know if I should ask now. I don’t want you to think I am using whatever this is to get you to do things for me. You said Sif used you for your position, and I don’t want you to think I am doing the same thing.” I couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid of what I might find.

His body went still under me. “Tori, look at me.”

I met his eyes. I expected anger, or at the very least annoyance, but instead, I saw understanding.

“I’m not worried about that. I know that what’s between us isonlybetween us. Tell me what you need. I will make it happen.”

“It’s Sarah. They are going to make her leave. She doesn’t want to go. Is there any way that you can make them leave her alone?”

“No.”

With one word, it was like a bucket of ice water dropped on me.

“What do you mean, no? You can’t or you won’t?”

“I won’t involve myself in Heaven’s politics for your friend.”

“Didn’t you say that my family and I were under your protection?” It hurt me he wasn’t even going to try. I moved off his lap and got off the bed. “She is my family.”

“She isn’t, though, not really. Sarah is your friend. You’re not related.”

I wrapped my arms around myself. “You said that you would do anything for me and you would protect my family. Sarah is my sister like Vivi is.”

“I will do anything for you. I won’t interfere with Heaven’s laws for someone who isn’t one of us. She’s part angel, not demon. I have no jurisdiction over that. I won’t call in that many favors for a Nephilim that isn’t even part demon.”

“She is my family,” I cried.

Rune threw his hands up in annoyance. “She is not your sister in any way that counts.”

“She is my sister in the only way that counts.” I got up to storm out of the room, then stopped at the closed door with my hand on the doorknob. “Earlier, I didn’t walk away because I was mad. I walked away because Sarah needed me more, and I trusted you to handle Sif. Just to be clear—now, Iampissed.”

I slammed the door behind me and headed back to my room.

In my room, I screamed into my pillow, then I threw it across the room. It would be one thing if he couldn’t, but he didn’t say there was nothing he could do. There was something he could do; he just wouldn’t. He wouldn’t even try.

I grabbed my phone and sent out a text, pacing the room and then waiting for a response. When my phone chimed a moment later, it was exactly what I needed. Throwing my purse on my shoulder, I ordered an Uber.

I needed to leave.

15

The Wisdom of Little Old Neon-Blue-Haired Women

Icrept out of the hallway, looking for any sign of Rune or Murmur.

Not seeing anyone, I made my way to the garage door. I was just going to walk to the pickup point down the road, so I didn’t need to go through the garage.

It’s not like I had a car anyway, but I was more familiar with this way out, and I didn’t want to risk getting lost. I needed to get out quickly and quietly.

I was so focused on watching the hallway that led to Rune’s door, I didn’t see Kylie walking from the other direction.

“Where are you going?” Kylie asked.