Page 97 of The Devil's Trials

“That wasn’t the performance we expected from you, Xander.”

I nod curtly. “I understand, but the loyalty that demon betrayed is worth far more than his life. His punishment ought to measure up, don’t you agree?”

Rupert glances over his shoulder to the others. Dominic and Malachi exchange a glance, while Lorraine keeps her eyes locked on me.

“While an execution would’ve been a far more entertaining show,” she says in a level tone, “I believe the punishment was…adequate.”

Dominic nods, sliding his hands into the pockets of his navy peacoat. “Agreed. Perhaps your display will dissuade others from acting in the same manner.”

“That’s the idea,” I offer.

“Very well,” Rupert speaks up. “We will grant you this success.”

My eyes slide to Malachi, who hasn’t said a word, but his expression is impassive. He seems to be taking a backseat in this decision. Regardless, I bow my head to them all. “Thank you.”

In seconds, the four of them disappear in a cloud of black smoke, leaving Blake and I alone for a brief moment before the rest of my council joins us in the parking lot.

Francesca is the first to approach, her eyes filled with the question they all no doubt have. When I offer a subtle nod, her crimson lips curve into a grin.

“Nicely done.”

Blake remains silent as the rest of the group congratulates me on successfully completing my second trial. That silence continues as we drive back toward my apartment, and I don’t bother attempting to break it.

I’m mentally and physically exhausted—it’s a bleak contrast to how I was feeling in the moments I dealt that demon his fate in hell. I miss the spark of power. But I know the minute I speak, Blake is going to be down my throat about letting myself show any fragment of weakness. Of how being around Camille seems to have dragged my lingering humanity to the surface despite believing it died with Lucia.

I couldn’t take a life, but I could damn it to an eternity in the underworld. The pit in my gut tells me I don’t feel entirely pleased about that, but at least the demondeservedthe punishment he was given.

Something tells me I won’t get so lucky during the final trial, and that leaves a chill deep in the marrow of my bones.

Even now, when my future in the demon world depends on passing the trials, I can’t stay away from the one who jeopardizes it all.

TWENTY-FOURCAMILLE

After Noah canceled our private session yesterday to attend a meeting with the other mentors in the organization, we head to Ballard early today to get in a few exercises before class starts.

I hang up my coat and bag, then hop on the treadmill to warm up. When I’m done my usual ten minutes at no incline, I meet Noah on the mats in the middle of the room so we can run through the defensive drills I have memorized at this point.

“What did Harper say when you told her about the test?” he asks, blocking my punch with his padded glove.

I pull my arm back and lower my gaze, resenting the warmth of embarrassment in my face. “I haven’t told her yet.”

“Really?” He doesn’t bother hiding the shock in his tone. “Why not?”

My eyes snap back up to meet his gaze. “I didn’t tell her because I’m sick of everything being about me. Harper deserves a best friend who’s there for her as much as she is for them. So when I visited Seattle, I kept it to myself.”

He nods, rubbing his jaw. “That was almost two weeks ago.”

I sigh heavily. “I’m aware, thank you.”

“Are you going to tell her?”

“Why do you care so damn much?” I snap.

I’ve managed to keep my attitude surrounding the test out of my training sessions with Noah for the past couple weeks—mostly—but the more he pushes, the harder it is not to yell in his face.

His brows inch up his forehead. “Easy, Cam. I’m just—”

“You’re just what?” I interrupt with a jagged tone. “I get you’re pissed that me failing my first hunter test looks bad on you being my mentor, but maybe if you hadn’t got the organization to use a simulation of Xander, I would have passed.”

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