Page 31 of Reluctant Rebel

Mikhail’s hands fisted by his side. “You told me they were just friends,” he ground out.

“They are. But that’s only because Eric respects Jinx’s boundaries. He’s totally into her, and he’s been giving her time. Now that he knowsyoudon’t want her, maybe he thinks it’shischance.”

“His chance to die, maybe,” Mikhail griped.

Sabre pursed her lips, eyeing him warily. “Don’t tell me you’re jealous. You don’t want Jinx. She doesn’t want you. That makes her free game.”

“No, it doesn’t,” he snarled, opening a portal right then and there. He dragged Sabre with him, giant pearl and all. He stormed through the upper levels of the library, his eyes scanning the rows of bookshelves for any sign of Jinx and Eric. Sure enough, he spotted them in a secluded corner, heads bent close together as they perused a thick tome.

Anger and possessiveness surged through him. He had no right to feel this way. She was off limits. She had made it clear that she wasn’t interested in him, and he accepted that. But seeing her with Eric now, knowing that things could change between them, made him want to castrate the vampire.

“They look so cute together,” Sabre chirped from behind him. “Don’t you think?”

12

The Library of Purgatory was a grand structure made of rough stone, its walls reaching to the heavens. It was ten stories high and took up an entire block. Some people found it daunting, but Jinx never had.

She had been drawn to the library since she was a child, mesmerised by the promise of knowledge and secrets buried within the walls. It had books and comfy chairs and was warm and cosy. And best of all, it lacked her drug-addicted, negligent parents. Her parents had placed no value on things like education or fun, so she’d been left to discover them for herself.

“You okay?”

Jinx looked at Eric and saw his concerned expression. She had stopped halfway up the stairs, staring into space. She smiled, promising, “I’m fine. Just lost in thought. This place brings back a lot of memories.”

“For you, too?” Eric linked his elbow with hers as they climbed the last few steps to the huge double doors. He pushed inside, holding the doors open for her.

“Yep. It’s open to the public seven days a week and closed for only six hours daily, from midnight to 6am,” Jinx said. “It’sthe perfect place to hide from parents addicted to Hype and gambling.”

Eric grumbled under his breath, cursing her parents. “Where are they now?” he asked with a frown.

“My parents?” Jinx waited for Eric to nod before saying bluntly, “Sabre killed them.” Eric made a strangled sound in his throat, and she patted his back. “She doesn’t think I know. But I do. She knew they sold me to Asmodeus. There was no way she’d let that go.”

“And you’re okay with that?” Eric questioned curiously.

Jinx nodded, feeling nothing but a twinge of pain and acceptance when she thought about her parents. “I've come to terms with it. It's just another part of my past that I can’t change.”

“I’m glad they’re dead. Sounds like they needed a good murdering,” Eric commented.

Jinx was relieved when she could grin at Eric. “That they did.”

As they made their way through the library to the elevator, Eric pointed out various areas where he used to hide or play as a child. “I always found ways to escape the chaos and danger of Purgatory,” he said with a wistful smile. “And being surrounded by books was a nice little bonus.”

Jinx squeezed his hand. She was so damn proud of him. Despite everything he had been through, he still managed to find joy in the little things. “I can’t believe we never ran into each other here.”

“Maybe it wasn’t the right time,” Eric suggested with a shoulder bump.

Jinx smiled at his whimsy. “Maybe.”

“Top floor?” Eric asked, finger hovering over the elevator button.

“Yep. Draven said the historical documents of Purgatory, including stuff about the founding families, are in the archives. That’s the top floor,” Jinx said.

Eric pressed the button, and they waited patiently for the elevator to make its way down to the ground floor. When the doors swished open thirty seconds later, Jinx hissed. Carrick, of all people, was inside.

“Hello to you too,” Carrick said snidely.

Jinx tugged Eric to the side, giving Carrick a wide berth as he exited. Then she hopped inside the lift, quickly pressing the top floor button. Just before the doors closed, she shot Carrick the finger, flashing a sharp canine at him. The fae’s disgruntled look gave her great satisfaction.

“Who was that?” Eric asked, frowning. He gestured to her face. “He made you sprout pointy teeth.”

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