Page 15 of Hell Bound

She nodded, eyes fixed firmly to the ground.

“Why? Why aren’t you allowed to tell me who I am?”

“I’m forbidden to speak to you outside of my commanded duties.”

As much as I needed answers, I wouldn’t force her to risk her life so I could get them.

“I’m sorry. I won’t ask again, I don’t want you to get in trouble.” And I didn’t.

However, that had no impact on my plan to swipe the key from her pocket at the earliest chance. I was a sitting duck in this locked room, and that wasn’t gonna work for me.

Her gratitude was palpable. The small smile that took over her face only added to my growing guilt.

And then the silence grew awkward. Hana just stared, and I stared back, unsure of what I was supposed to do next.

Did I need to dismiss her? Tip her? Give her a command?

“Um, thank you. I think I’m good.”

“Alright.”

When she didn’t move, I lifted a brow in confusion.

“Okay, what am I supposed to do here? I’m not sure what the protocol is.”

“I don’t understand, my Queen.”

I resisted the knee-jerk response to tell her not to call me that. The title felt wrong.

I couldn’t begin to name the sensation that made the hair on my arms raise, but I damn sure didn’t like it.

“I think I’ve got things handled from here, so you can go.”

Hana’s cheeks pinkened, but she made no move for the door.

“I’m sorry, my Queen, but I’ve been ordered to ensure that you’re properly bathed to get the ‘human stench’ off of you.” I could hear the air quotes in her statement, but I still stiffened at the remark.

I didn’t have to ask who’d made such a callous command. Morningstar had no problem with how I smelled, given the way his cock had hardened when he breathed in my scent.

Which meant that Asmodeus was already showing his ass. Luckily I’d been dealing with mouthy jerks since junior high. Stupid insults like that rolled off my back.

“I know how to wash myself, and you can tell him that.”

Once again, the look of abject fear on Hana’s face pricked at my guilt. I might be willing to tell him off, but Asmodeus clearly terrified her.

I couldn’t ask her to risk her life to relay a snarky message, and declining her assistance would probably have the same end result.

I sighed in frustrated resignation.

“Never mind. Let’s get this over with.” I spoke through gritted teeth, which probably made Hana think I was pissed at her.

Sadly, I didn’t really give a damn. I was about to save her life by getting naked in front of her, she’d survive a little attitude.

I should have known better.

Nothing about this place had given me reason to think it’d be that simple, yet I’d been stupid enough to hope.

Footsteps sounded out in the bedroom as I was peeling off my dress, and I whirled to see three more women entering the room. One had a wild mass of red curls that obscured her lowered face. Another redhead, this one with soft waves that ran down her back, followed the first, her head also bowed.

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