Page 113 of The Devil's Trials

She narrows her eyes at me, her cheeks flushing a deeper shade of pink. “You’re hardly the best example of an average demon.”

The corner of my mouth kicks up as I brace myself over her, leaning closer. “A compliment?”

“Oh yeah, definitely,” she remarks dryly.

I chuckle softly, more relieved than I care to admit that she hasn’t lost her spark of humor. “Shall I ask Blake or Gio to come down and give it a go with you?”

“If I can beat them, will you let me go?” she shoots back, her breathing returning to a more normal rhythm.

I cock my head to the side, my eyes flicking across her face. “You didn’t seem to mind being here a minute ago.”

She scowls, bucking her hips in a failed, albeit amusing, attempt to get free. “Xander—”

“No,” I cut in, keeping her pinned beneath me as I lower my voice. “I wouldn’t let you go.”I won’teverlet you go.

Her breathing turns shallow once more, and she lowers her gaze so her lashes fan the darkness under her eyes. “How long do you expect me to stay here?”

With a sigh, I maneuver off of her, standing and pulling her upright. “That’s not a simple question to answer.” The situation is only becoming more complicated, and with Marrick attempting to overthrow everything I’m working toward, anyone who means anything to me is caught in his warpath. I haven’t decided how to explain all of that to Camille—it’s something I’d rather she never have to know, but that’s seeming less likely with every passing day.

Camille pulls away from me, concern etched into her hardened features as she regards me coldly. “My parents are going to worry.”

I nod. “I’m not saying you’re cut off from your loved ones.”

“But they don’t know where I am, and if they knew who I was with, it would be further cause for concern.”

I frown at that. Blake brought her to Vancouver to ensure we can keep her away from the danger coming down the pipeline. I’m not sure what I can say that will help her understand she won’t come to harm so long as she’s here. “You’re safe with me.”

There’s a deeper flush in her cheeks when her eyes meet mine. “You’d like me to tell the leaders of the demon hunting organization that their daughter is safe with the king of hell?”

I exhale a short laugh. “I won’t tell you how to speak to them, I’m only saying that you can. My phone isn’t traceable, so call your parents or Harper or whomever you wish.” I bite my tongue to keep from suggesting she avoid contacting Noah. It’s pathetic and undignified, and I refuse to entertain the notion of jealousy when it comes to that bastard, despite the simmering tension in my chest at the thought.

Camille winces at the offer, chewing her bottom lip. “Right.”

I arch a brow at her. “What is it?”

She hesitates, seemingly battling with how to respond before she exhales a sigh and says in a reluctant tone, “Without my phone, I…I don’t know their numbers.”

I press my mouth shut so I don’t laugh again. When her eyes narrow sharply, I hold up my hands. “It’s fine. I have Harper’s number in my phone. She’ll be able to send us your parents’.”

“Okay.” She peers around the room, as if she doesn’t know where to look anymore.

“You’re free to use this space whenever you like,” I say, feeling as if I need to show her that I’m trying. That as unideal as the situation is, her being here doesn’t have to be miserable.

“A prison with amenities,” she mutters under her breath as she moves away, wandering toward the stairwell to the main floor.

I follow her, walking a few paces behind. She stops at the bottom of the stairs, her pulse spiking as she whirls around to face me.

“What’s the endgame here?”

I fold my arms over my chest, leaning toward her. “I’m more concerned about right now. Keeping you alive and—”

“Ascending the throne,” she interjects, her pulse ticking faster as her gaze flits across my face.

“Yes.” It’s not a secret. My motivations have been clear for a while now. I’m committed to not keeping anything from her, even if it makes her hate me.

Her brows knit as if she’s disappointed. “What happens after that?”

“You’ll need to be more specific.”

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