Page 148 of The Devil's Trials

My parents deserve to know what’s going on and what I’m about to do to save my sister—their daughter—from the pits of hell.

“I, um…I need to talk to you both.” I wanted to wait until tomorrow, but I can feel how close the dam is to breaking and I know once it does, I’m not going to be able to explain everything coherently.

“What is it?” Dad asks, already looking concerned.

“Is this about your training?” Mom asks.

“Not really, but I guess it’s somewhat related.”

“Okay, go ahead.” Mom leans against the counter, folding her arms over her chest.

“I think we should sit down,” I say, keeping my hands in the pockets of my hoodie so they can’t see how badly they’re shaking.

After exchanging a look with my dad, she nods, and we relocate to the living room. I send another text to Xander, asking him to come now, and his response is immediate. He’s on his way, and this could either go badly or fatally. There is no good outcome to the situation, but it’s something that needs to be done.

Mom and Dad sit on the couch while I perch on the edge of the coffee table in front of them.

“I guess I should start by explaining that I haven’t been visiting with Harper for the last month. I’ve been in Vancouver—with Xander.”

I watch as both of my parents’ backs go ramrod straight.

“You what?” Mom demands in a sharp tone.

“Please hear me out,” I rush to say, my chin quivering.

Dad takes Mom’s hand, holding it firmly as he keeps his eyes on me. “Why would you…I don’t even know what to say right now, Camille.”

I blink quickly, fighting the burning in my eyes at the disappointment in his tone. “I know. It wasn’t my plan. Things spiraled out of control faster than I could keep up, and all I know is that my life was in danger, threatened by a powerful demon who wants to take the throne from Xander.”

“That son of a bitch is the one who put your life in danger,” Mom snaps. “How could you possibly think he wants to protect you? All he’s ever wanted is to use you to get close enough to the organization to infiltrate and destroy it.”

My jaw clenches so tightly, my temples throb and my pulse ticks faster. “That’s not true. And I know it’s hard to hear and possibly even more difficult to believe, but I trust him.” I look between my parents. “I love him.”

“That’s what you wanted to tell us? That you’re in love with the king of hell?” Dad says.

I shake my head, hesitating for a moment that feels like forever before I whisper, “It’s about Danielle.”

Mom sucks in a sharp breath, choking on it. “What did you just say?”

I press my lips together, willing them to stop trembling so I can speak. “Xander had to complete three trials to take the throne. The final trial was in hell, and while he was there, he saw her.” I swallow past the lump in my throat, unable to stop the tear that escapes and rolls down my cheek. “Danielle is in hell.”

The blood drains from Dad’s face while he sits in silence, head shaking.

“I’m so sorry,” I cry. “I’ve been trying to come up with the best way to tell you, but—”

“Enough!” Mom yells. “I won’t hear any of this.” Her eyes meet mine. “Your sister is dead, Camille. Whatever that monster told you is a lie. He’s trying to trick you, to manipulate you yet again, and you’re falling for it once more, like a naive child.”

My chest constricts as more tears spill down my face. “I wish it was a lie,” I tell her through my tears. “If it wasn’t true, that would mean Danielle hasn’t been suffering alone for the last five years. But she has.” I wipe my cheeks, sniffling. “And I’m going to bring her back.”

That seems to snap Dad out of his daze. He blinks hard, swallowing and wetting his lips before he says, “No. We’ve lost one child. There’s not a fucking chance—We can’t lose you, too.”

“You believe this insanity?” Mom says, turning her glare on my dad.

His jaw works and his eyes turn glassy. “You and I both know what happened to Danielle never felt right. Even after the funeral, we never felt closure. Maybe this is why, Rachel. Because she isn’t truly gone.”

Mom shakes her head as her eyes fill with tears at the memory of losing her daughter. “Even if…this is true. Camille, you cannot go to hell.Your father is right. We won’t lose another daughter to those monsters. We just—we won’t survive it.”

I reach for both of their hands, squeezing them until they look at me. “I promise you won’t lose me.” Of course, I can’t say what’s going to happen in the underworld when Xander and I travel there, but my focus right now is to reassure them as much as I can. Even if it’s nothing but hopeful thinking.

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