Chapter Nineteen
Nina
Apresence filled the chamber, and even in my sleep, I sensed it, jolting up from the bed.
Smoke gathered in the corner, folding in on itself until it took on shape.
“Salazar, is that you?”
“Yes, Nina. I’m here.”
The shadows seemed to settle, as if they’d been waiting for me to wake. His tone carried a strange patience, almost fond, like a predator caring for its prey.
I exhaled slowly. “Why?”
“I told you the truth. There are worse things in Hell than me.”
I stared into the dark, towards my protector or my stalker. I couldn’t decide which he was . . . yet.
I flung my legs off the bed, and exhaustion hit me. It had been getting worse in recent days.
I jumped at the sound of a quick knock on my door. I dragged myself up, a small twinge in my hip bringing me to focus.
“Jules.”
His arms were full of dark fabric.
“I brought you something,” he said, shifting the bundle awkwardly until I took it from him.
It was a set of leathers, black as the hides of the nightmares, and supple, reinforced with faint seams of dull silver alloy. Strong, light, flexible. The kind of thing that could take a hit and keep me standing.
“They don’t look like the Thorns’ leathers,” I said, tracing the stitching along the side of the leg.
“I didn’t want them to,” he replied, his voice wavery. “I matched them to the snufflebeasts. I hope that’s okay.”
I glanced up. “So that I can resemble a nightmare?”
He paused awkwardly and looked at the ground.
I couldn’t help grinning. “I love them,” I said, and my voice came out as a squeal. “Thank you so much.” My words and expression must have eased his worries, because he was suddenly beaming. He gestured at the reinforced panels running from hip to knee.
“There’s a brace built in,” he said. “No one will know it’s there.”
I couldn’t find the right words. In a place where most things were cruel and vicious, Jules was a rare thing – kind without a reason to be.
“They’re incredible.”
“They should fit perfectly,” he said. “But we can adjust them if you want.” He shuffled back into the hallway. “I’ll be in my workshop if you need anything else.”
He disappeared, while I stood there grinning like an idiot.
I suddenly realised Salazar had been there a moment ago, and I spun to check the corner of the room, but the smoke had vanished.
Satisfied I was alone, I slipped into my new clothing, when another knock banged against my doors.
“Forget something Jules?” I said, opening the door with a wide grin on my face. My mouth dropped when I found Leander on the other side.
“What are you doing, little Champion?” he asked, his voice a teasing drawl.
“Resting.” There was a shrug in my voice.
“How virtuous of you. I thought you’d be off to the next domain by now.”
“Not yet,” I said, leaning against the doorframe.
Leander tilted his head and studied me. “Refusing to play the game? Because the Essence of Hell will just drag you there if you ignore your summons.” His tone was light, but it had a harder edge beneath it.
His eyes shifted downward, taking in the new black leathers that pressed close to my skin, the same colour as the nightmares’ hides. “Jules make those for you?”
“He did.” I couldn’t help the grin from spreading on my face.
If he was wondering if Jules had hidden a brace somewhere beneath the stitching – something undetectable to the naked eye – he didn’t ask.
Leander pushed forward until he was an inch in front of me. The space seemed to shrink around him, the warmth from the fire pressing closer.
What is wrong with all the men in Hell inviting themselves into my room?
“It’s time for you to choose your weapon of choice.”
I groaned. “More training? Can’t I have one day to myself?”
“This is even better than training,” he declared with a glint in his eyes. “Follow me.”
Leander started down the corridor, not bothering to check if I followed. Indeed, curiosity got the better of me, pulling me in his wake.
We took the west stairway to the next level.
We travelled through a vast hall, and then another before we arrived.
As we entered the dim room, my first thought was Leander had led me to a library with tall ceilings and overcrowded shelves.
But when I stepped further inside, I realised the shelves didn’t hold books.
My mouth dropped open. The shelves were crowded with weapons. Blades in every size and various metals, some hilts decorated with dazzling gems. Shields, helmets and bracers were arranged amongst the daggers, while swords of all styles and sizes hung from rail after rail.
“Is this . . . your knife collection?”
He grinned. “My armoury. Not many get to see it, so you should count yourself lucky.”
“I didn’t realise you were so fanatic about . . . stabbing. I think some people might call this obsessive.”
“Are you judging me?”
Despite being surrounded by instruments of death, I found myself laughing. Cackling. “Sorry, I’m not judging . . . it’s just you have a lot of swords. Who needs this many?”
“I do. And it’s time you get your own weapon. Go on and have a look, and see what you like.”
My eyebrows shot to my hairline. “Really?”
Leander chuckled softly. “Go on. You need weapons to match your rather lethal attire. Then you'll have every lost soul in Hell begging for your attention.” His eyes were wicked and amused as they caught the light.
The intensity of his gaze turned my face molten, and I turned away, hoping he didn’t see me blushing.
Get a hold of yourself. Think of maggots and entrails. Literally anything but Leander.
I strode through the aisles of his arsenal, rows of gleaming metal catching the faint light.
The weapons were magnificent. Huge hammers designed to crush, dazzling blades forged for gods.
But I knew what I wanted as soon as I saw them.
A pair of small twin knives rested on a shelf.
I lifted them and turned the metal in my hands.
They were light, balanced, and simple; nothing extravagant.
Still, the edges were honed to a thin slice, the sharpest blades I had ever seen. They were subtle yet dangerous.
“Interesting choice,” Leander said, appearing at my side. I hadn’t realised he was following me.
I gave him a questioning look.
“Thought you’d choose the short sword,” he said.
I scrunched up my nose. “Because you think I can’t carry something bigger? Because I’m weak?”
“No, Nina, you’re not weak,” he said, and my heart flipped at the sound of my name on his lips. “Seeing as I’ve given you a gift, may you tell me why you chose them?”
“They’re simple,” I said. “And so many things judged by looks often get underestimated.”
“Fine choice.”
I smiled, an authentic, stupid looking grin, and I didn’t even care. He beamed back at me, and I felt a blush creep up my neck.
“Time to try them out,” he said.
The courtyard was empty, as though Leander had announced ahead of time that we were to be training today. Again.
I held my daggers by my side, hard to dismiss my growing excitement.
Leander eyed my stance. “Don’t grip too hard. Don’t plant your feet.”
I nodded, grinned, then lunged for him.
We trained until exhaustion became a dull prickle at the edge of my mind.
With each lunge, my desire to confront the Demon of Temptation dwindled, dampened by the comfort of my newfound skills.
But, like the smoke monster who had become fond of stalking me, I never imagined that the demon himself might be watching, waiting for his chance to strike.
Looking back, that false sense of security was probably my greatest mistake of all.