Page 74 of Sweet Venom

“And what do you believe?” he asked, voice low and calm.

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “I… I don’t know.”

A pause.

“Liar.”

The word hit hard—too direct, too true. My cheeks warmed.

I frowned. “Liar?”

His eyes met mine. Steady. Dark. All seeing. “You do know. You just don’t want to see it.”

You do know. You just don’t want to see it.

My heart stuttered. I leaned in a little, barely breathing. “See what?”

His expression shifted—just slightly. Then it closed off again.

“What’s in front of you.”

His words landed heavy. Familiar. My mom said the same thing on our last call but hearing it from him felt different.

“And what’s in front of me?” I whispered.

He didn’t answer. Just stared ahead like he hadn’t spoken at all.

I wanted to say a lot of things but I didn’t. So, I said the only thing I could.

“Thank you again,” I murmured, meaning every word. Maybe I couldn’t say the things that my heart was screaming for me to say but at least I can give him that. For now.

“I don’t need thank-yous.”

“Well, you’re getting them anyway,” I said with a small smile. “My mom raised me right. If someone does something kind, you say thank you. It’s called basic human decency, Azariel.”

He made a sound—half grunt, half breath. Almost a laugh.

Almost.

Come on, you not so soulless demon… let me hear your laugh.

The silence returned, but it didn’t bother me. It never has with him.

I sneaked another glance. His face was still turned toward the window, unreadable, ink and shadow all over his skin.

Still grumpy.

Still him.

“Can I ask you one thing?” I said quietly, keeping my eyes on him.

His gaze didn’t shift. “Depends.”

“Why’d you do it?” I hesitated, then added, “Why give me the publishing deal?” My voice trailed off in embarrassment. “Did… Did Aunt Kadra ask you to?”

He turned his face and his eyes snapped to mine, his black brow lifting like I’d just asked something stupid. Ugh, I did.

I winced. “Forget it. I don’t want to know.”

---