Page 130 of The Devil's Trials

You wanted this, I remind myself, standing straight again and dragging a hand down my face.

So why do I feel so utterly empty?

After showering, I put on a black dress shirt and slacks, then go in search of Blake. I can’t share anything about encountering Danielle in the underworld with anyone else until I get more information. There must be a reason Camille’s sister is in hell, and I need to know the circumstancesbefore I bring it up, because Camille will undoubtedly have questions. That’s if she believes me at all. I’m not winning any points in the credibility department with her lately.

I find Blake in the enclosed porch off the kitchen overlooking the back of the property. The night sky is pitch black but clear and spattered with stars. Flames from the floor to ceiling fireplace crackle, and Blake swirls the drink in his glass. His eyes shift to me when I approach. “Drink?”

I wave him off, walking toward the bar cart in the corner of the room to pour myself a scotch. Drink in hand, I join him in front of the fireplace and take a sip.

He glances sideways at me. “You good?”

“I’m king,” I offer in lieu of a real answer.

He chuckles, giving my shoulder a shove. “Fucking right you are, mate.” Taking another drink, he asks, “Are you going to tell me what happened during the final trial?”

I shrug. “Marrick killed Harper.”

His brows furrow, and he all but snarls, “What?”

“It wasn’t real. They weren’t actually there. But I had to face Harper hating me for choosing my throne over her life.”

He blinks, and I think there’s a split second of shock in his expression. “Did you know it wasn’t real?”

The lie is on the tip of my tongue, but I’ve never been untruthful to Blake and I’m not going to start now. “No.”

“So you really would’ve let her die?”

“No,” I insist. “I would’ve stopped it.”

He nods slowly. “Hmm. Why?”

My eyes narrow a fraction. “Because she’s my hunter. My blood.Mine.”

“How heartwarming,” he mutters dryly.

I roll my eyes. “What’s done is done. But I do need you to look into something else that happened while we were there.”

“I’m intrigued.”

“I also need you to keep it to yourself.”

He scoffs. “Please. Who am I going to tell?”

I offer him a level look.

“Fine, fine. My lips are sealed. What is it?”

I down the rest of my drink, setting the glass on the wooden mantle before turning to face Blake. “Camille’s sister is in hell.”

“She’swhat? How do you know?”

“I saw her. Spoke to her, actually.”

His eyes pop wide. “You’re sure it was her?”

I nod. “She and Camille have matching tattoos among other similarities, both in appearance and personality.”

“Bloody hell,” he says under his breath. “How did this happen?”

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