Chapter Eighty-One
MERISSA
Merissa drifted off to sit in one of the pews as the others started to theorize about where to begin hunting the Dark.
She didn’t pray to Stars—that much was obvious—but she closed her eyes, pressing her hands together as she prayed to something, wishing that they would make it through this night alive. That they would find the answers they so desperately sought.
There was a shift next to her, and when she opened her eyes, she tried not to gasp.
Ariete was reclining on the pew beside her, looking straight at her, his crimson eyes dancing.
She looked around to the others, seeing if anyone else had noticed, but they were too engrossed in their plans and strategies.
He said nothing, and she studiously ignored him, closing her eyes and returning to her prayer.
She made sure not to look at Ariete again; there was something so unnerving about him.
And perhaps it was because she had kissed him in Castor and he was none the wiser, but a nervous energy was fizzing through her bloodstream in his presence.
When she heard a shift again, she continued squeezing her eyes shut.
‘Aren’t you going to say hello, Bravina?’ he murmured into her ear.
Merissa stilled.
‘Or wait, was it Amara? I can hardly keep up with the different faces you wear. A dancer, a nymph…Who will you be next?’
Merissa’s prayer stuttered out.
‘What did you just call me?’ she whispered, her hands trembling as she opened her eyes.
She dared to glance again at the god, now kneeling beside her and showing a sharpened canine as he devoured her with his eyes, long elegant fingers pressed together in prayer.
‘Oh, little nymph,’ he said softly. ‘Imagine if everyone in this temple knew that you’d been grinding against the leg of their worst enemy only a few hours ago.’
‘No,’ she whispered. ‘No, no, no.’
‘Oh, yes, yes, yes.’ Ariete grinned. ‘I told you you’d find out my name soon enough.’
She made to stand, but Ariete moved, his tall body leaning fully into her space.
‘Aw, come on, don’t be shy.’ He pressed himself so close to her that his lips were by her ear.
‘You weren’t when you were begging me to fuck you.
’ His breath fanned over her neck. ‘Or did you prefer me with the demon mask on?’
Cinnamon wafted over her, and she closed her eyes, recalling the same scent in Castor and that very evening. Fool. She was a fool. Her heart thudded against her chest as he leaned back, releasing her wrist.
‘Merissa,’ Elara called sharply to her right, finally noticing. ‘What’s he saying to you?’
‘N-nothing,’ she stammered, standing as Ariete let out a deep chuckle.
‘You’re white as a ghost,’ Leo said, shooting a venomous look at Ariete.
‘It’s nothing,’ she said again firmly.
‘Leave her be,’ Leo snapped as he approached, taking her hand.
‘Oh, out of the two of us, I don’t think it’s me you need to worry about.’ Ariete grinned in reply as Leo frowned.
Merissa kept her eyes on the floor as she returned to where the group huddled. Oh gods, he had known who she was when she had entered the Emerald. When she had kissed him. He’d known all along. And he’d let her…
She had to breathe in and out deeply as she tried to force the pretty mask back over herself, Elara peering at her with concern.
He had also let her grind and beg and plead to do all manner of sinful things before denying her.
You were charmed out of your head, she reminded herself. You would have done that to any stranger.
‘Where’s Adrian?’
‘He needed some fresh air,’ Leo explained.
Isra was sitting beside him, her eyes now clear and alert, to Merissa’s relief.
‘We’ve been speaking with Isra,’ Elara explained. ‘But her visions are no longer reliable, according to Ariete. We’re going to have to consult someone else to find the Dark.’
Merissa grasped Isra’s hand. ‘How are you feeling—’
A knock interrupted her.
‘Adrian.’ Elara sighed. ‘I’d better let him in.’
She got up and began to walk down the pews to the doors as the knock came again.
‘Be careful,’ Enzo warned as he followed her to the doors. Elara squeezed his hand.
‘Gods, Adrian, patience is a virtue!’ she shouted as she turned the knob.
‘What’s a virtue?’ Adrian said.
Merissa whirled to where the pirate stood behind her. ‘What?’ he said. ‘I thought it would put everyone less on edge if I just used the side door.’ He pointed to the entrance from where he had just appeared.
It happened as though in slow motion.
Merissa turned in horror with the others to where Elara was swinging the door open.
Ariete stood, nostrils flared, a look of terror on his face. ‘Elara, no!’ he shouted.
But too late. The door was flung open.
‘She let her in,’ Isra whispered.
Elara fell to the floor, Enzo’s body thrown over her, sunlight blazing to protect her as they all screamed.
And the shadows poured in.