Chapter Eleven #2
I didn’t know what those reasons were, but all the same, I had a feeling the answer was yes.
Lucifer didn’t gamble—because it’s not a gamble when you know you’re going to win.
He had a plan that involved me staying in neutral territory, and I was about to blow that plan up whether he liked it or not.
Dora and I couldn’t stay here anymore, and that was that.
“I don’t,” Dora responded to my question. “I don’t need to be an empress, but Daddy would be a great emperor! He should marry Ro-Ro too.”
I snorted—a little giggle breaking free.
“Should he?” I teased. “You know, you’re right. Lucifer would look great in a big, floofy, white dress.”
That kicked Dora off giggling too, and just like that, we were laughing as we descended the stairs to the underlevel—planning Lucifer and Ronin’s wedding all the way down.
“They say the color of pride is purple, and the color of sloth is blue,” I told her while we clung to the walls, feeling our way to the library in the gloom. Would it kill them to hang more skeleton chandeliers down here? “Purple and blue would make great wedding colors.”
“But then Daddy would have to wear a purple dress,” Dora mused.
I pictured Lucifer in a big, purple taffeta gown with outrageously big bows and sequins on the bodice, and then laughed so hard it echoed through the cavernous corridor.
“Why is it supposed to be the happiest day of his life, but when I picture him in that getup, he’s glaring fit to burn the world down? ”
“But would you be okay, Tidrik?” Dora squeezed my shoulder. “Wouldn’t you be sad if Ro-Ro married someone other than you? You looked so happy when he was kissing you just now.”
My laughter cut off like a tap. Everything Ronin said, along with his cutely frustrated expression, played in my mind like a loop. I promised I’d meet with him that night and talk, but my head was too wrecked with all the things he’d said and done to know if that was the right choice.
No one more than me knew how manipulative he could be. The man was an expert liar, and the last time he lured me in promising he’d give me whatever I wanted, I ended up with his name branded on my body.
“I don’t know if I’d be sad,” I finally replied. “It’s hard to say.”
“Oh. But Ronin would be sad. All he wants is you. That’s all he’s ever wanted,” Dora said, the dreamy lilt to her voice faded away. “Is you, Charlotte.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I said nothing. I just took her hand as I grabbed the doorknob—pushing into the library.
Radu was waiting for us exactly where he said he’d be.
He reclined on the chaise like he was sitting for a portrait.
Usually, he was all about his slouchy cardigans and loose pants, but that day he was dressed like every vampire out of my fantasies—in tight breeches and a loose, linen tunic fresh from the seventeenth century.
“Can we talk freely down here?” I asked.
He nodded. “No one followed you, and these walls are too thick for sound to travel.”
“Good, then— What are you wearing?” I blurted, unable to help myself.
Santino smiled at me, his eyes dancing and lips teasing as he rose to his feet. “Do you like it, honey? One must look their best for their lover.”
I blushed like a dumbass. “Let’s skip the flirting and go straight to the leaving. You said there’s a secret passage down here?”
“Not a secret to you.” Radu jerked his head, indicating for us to follow him. “When those fools took you, they brought you through the passage. They were just running too fast for you to notice.”
“But I was in the middle of the demon class wing when they did that. Does the passage let out there?”
We trailed behind him, weaving through the stacks as he shook his head no. “It’s a web of interconnecting tunnels. That passage was hidden near the lecture halls. This one lets out right beside the southern gate.”
“How long to get to Pomaris?” I blinked. “Wait. I just realized I never asked what kind of transportation you’ve got down here.”
“There are cars, but they run on dark magic and only demons use them,” he explained. “Because fae fly, werewolves travel in wolf form, and vampires—”
“Run,” I finished. “Of course.”
He tossed me a knowing look over his shoulder. “If you want to get to Pomaris quickly and safely, we’ll have to run too. Word is already out about the mortal woman in Abaddon Academy. There’s a long line of enemies just waiting for you to leave the gates.”
I shivered. “I understand. I’ll be puking for a week after, but it’s fine. Just take Dora first.”
“I’ll be taking you both at the same time, Charlotte.” Santino suddenly veered left and disappeared between two stacks. “Even running, it’ll take three hours to get there and back. I’m not leaving you on your own for that long.”
Running up to him, I grabbed his hand.
He paused, confused, until he saw my face.
“Thank you,” I whispered—taking his hand with both of mine and pulling him close. “I can’t thank you enough, Santino.”
“Santino, huh?” A smile tugged his lips. “And a thank-you? Sure you don’t want to follow that up with a screw you, asshole?”
I giggled. “There’s still time for that.”
Radu drew me closer, resting his forehead on mine. “You have no need of thank-yous. I told you, you are the goddess I worship. You need only ask for my heart, and I’d tear it from my chest and impale it on your altar.”
I heated up like a lava lamp. That didn’t sound sexual, but I knew it was.
Reaching over, Radu traced strange symbols on the wall between the tomes. Before my eyes, part of the stone melted away—revealing a chest-high entrance. Peering into it, all I saw was darkness, and in that darkness, the fog cleared... and I made up my mind.
I’m going with Dora. I’m going to meet with Lucifer face-to-face, and lay out the ground rules. I’ll do what he wants, but he has to protect Dora in Pomaris, and if he threatens or hurts her even once, he’ll have to find another living Avos witch to jerk around.
With Dora safe, I can stay here with Ronin, Tristan, and Santino. I nodded to myself. Yes, this is what I’m doing. I’m getting Dora out, but I’m staying here... with them.
“I’ll guide you.” Radu’s lantern eyes pierced me, drawing my attention back. “But, it’ll be dangerous.”
“It will?”
“Oh yes,” he breathed, voice grave. “A dark, twisty, and perilous journey through these winding tunnels, followed by an arduous trek through burning plains, all while shouldering two full-grown women. If I’m going to do all of that...
” I finally saw the grin tugging on the corner of his mouth. “I’ll need to be at full strength.”
My eyes narrowed to slits. “Are you angling for my blood? Now of all times.”
He was full-blown grinning like a loon now. “I’d love your blood, honey, but I’ll actually need something a little sweeter this time.”
“Wha—?”
Santino swooped down and captured my lips. His kiss was rough, wild, and insistent—