Page 57 of Sin

“Fuck,” Sin hissed. “How do they know we have her?”

Malice shook his head.

Before they could continue, a wall-rattling bellow came from the hall, followed by the unmistakable sounds of fighting.

Call me a damsel, but I pressed my back against the wall and prayed for this to be over. I had nothing I could use to defend myself except a lamp and maybe a book from the shelf nearby. I supposed I could try and lust everyone into submission, but now seemed like a terrible time to attempt weaponizing my succubus power. I needed focus and control for that, and in my first true life-and-death situation, I had neither of those things.

A hysterical laugh escaped, and I slapped a hand over my mouth, not wanting to draw any attention to my little corner of the room. I needn’t have worried. The boys were too busy with their whispered confab about mysterious Knights and Princes, and the other two were balls deep in battle.

A tickle of wind across my neck had me turning my attention toward the bookcase to my right just as the soft, sweet voice whispered my name.

“Merri. Come. I’ll keep you safe.”

I spun around, a scream poised on my lips, but the second my eyes met the deep brown ones of the woman hidden within a secret doorway, every ounce of apprehension leached away as a sense of warmth and security wove itself around me.

She was beautiful. No, angelic.

“Come, my dear. Come with me.”

Her gaze held me in a vortex of such peace and promised nothing else existed. There wasn’t even a choice. I went. All I wanted was to be wrapped up in the comfort of her.

I followed her down a spiral staircase that spilled us out of another hidden door and into the butler’s pantry downstairs. The passageway must’ve been used by staff once upon a time.

The angel smiled at me, her eyes shining with pride. “Such a beautiful girl, you are. Let me take care of you. I’m sure this has been a trying time.”

She stepped close, taking my hands before putting my wrists together in front of me. I glanced down at the feel of corded rope sliding along my skin.

“Ah, ah, ah, keep your eyes on mine, sweetheart. That’s it. I’ve got you.”

Yes, she had me. She’d take me away from all of this. I’d be happier with her. Safe.

“Merri!” Chaos’s roar snapped me out of the creature’s spell, making me take one quick step back before he tackled her to the floor.

Before I could do more than draw in a shuddering breath, he’d grabbed the woman by the face and snapped her neck.

I had to blink a couple of times, my brain failing to fully process what was happening.

Chaos hadn’t just snapped her neck. He’d torn her head clean off.

He was still holding it while her body was slack and spurting oil-like ichor.

Then, chest heaving, he turned his gaze on me. Fury blazed in his eyes as he stood, dropped the head, and stalked to me.

“What in God’s name possessed you to go with her, you stupid little fool? Do you have no sense of self-preservation? Are you auditioning for the role of helpless idiot?” He wasn’t simply chastising me; he was yelling at me like he was a drill sergeant and I was in boot camp.

“I...” I began, but honestly had no response that would suffice. I understood why he’d think so, how my wandering offwith her had looked. He didn’t know about the thrall. That I hadn’t been in control of my mind or my body.

“It’s our job to protect you, and yet you run off with the first demon you see? Do you think this is a game? That everything we’ve told you has just been an elaborate ruse? What the fuck is wrong with you? I should...” He raked a hand through his hair and let out a frustrated growl. “Fuck, Merri, I don’t know what to do with you.”

I hated myself for the whimper that escaped along with a single tear.

He continued walking forward, sending me back a few steps until my shoulders hit the pantry door. Chaos was a breath away from me, his hulking frame dwarfing me, the heat of his rage radiating off him.

“If anything had happened to you . . .”

These weren’t the sweet words of a lover, but they were filled with a confused sort of anguish. For some inexplicable reason, my life mattered to him.Imattered to him.

I just wished someone would tell me why.

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