Page 97 of House of Ruin
Inside, there were five cells lined against the wall. Simple, bare. And all empty.
There was another door leading somewhere else, and the receptionist stood in front of it, with her bleeding finger pressed against it. When that door flew open, Blaze’s pale face came into view.
He sat on the stone bench, his back to the wall. Alecto’s heart skipped a beat at the sight, and it surprised her how eager she was to be close to him, how giddy she was to see him alright and in one piece.
“Your lawyer is here—” The receptionist didn’t get to finish the sentence because Val snapped her fingers, and the young witch froze.
“Val,” Alecto whispered. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
“Making sure we get a few minutes with our favorite boy.”
“You are crazy.” Blaze shook his head.
His eyes slid away from the receptionist and Val to Alecto, and she could have sworn there was relief in his eyes mixed with something else. Something soft.
“My lawyer is here, so I’m guessing our parents are too?” Blaze asked. He fixed Val with a glare. “And because you froze the witch, I’m guessing you’re not allowed to be here.”
“Semantics.” Val waved him off. “We need to know what they accused you of exactly.”
Blaze shrugged. His gaze dropped to his hands in his lap. “Three murders. Jack, Fallona, Rebecca,” he said, voice devoid of any emotions.
“Yeah, and what’s the evidence?” Val pressed. “They can’t keep you here without evidence.”
“I was found at the scene of the crime of the first murder,” Blaze said. “I was seen last with the victim of the second murder.” His throat bobbed. “And my bones were found next to the body of the third murder victim.”
Val was stunned into silence for a moment.
“You moron,” she snapped. “How the fuck did you lose your bones?”
Blaze shook his head, pressing the heels of his palms into his eyes. “I don’t remember. I don’t remember losing them or anything.” His shoulders slumped, and he repeated, “I don’t fucking remember anything.”
“Okay,” Alecto said. She wasn’t sure what was okay. At this moment, everything certainly was anythingbutokay.
“Not the time or place for dumb positivity, Black,” Val said, but her words lacked the bite.
Clearly, even Val was worried.
“I’m pretty sure your dad is working on getting you out on bail,” Val said after a moment. “Once you’re out we’re going to figure out some things. We have to go now.”
“Can I have a moment with Black?” Blaze asked as they turned to leave. “Alone.”
Val glanced back over her shoulder and then nodded.
“You have five minutes before I unfreeze the bitch.”
Then she walked out of Blaze’s cell, leaving them alone. For a moment, Blaze did nothing, just stared at Alecto from the other side of the room.
She was about to open her mouth to snap at him, but he beat her to it.
“Don’t open that pretty mouth of yours if you’re gonna only curse me.”
A corner of his mouth curled up, his eyebrow rising in a challenge. Alecto tried to keep herself from smiling, but it was damn near impossible.
“It’s your fault I always want to curse you.”
“I know,baby. I know.”
His voice was rough and deep, sending sparks of pleasure down Alecto’s spine. Holding her gaze, Blaze leaned his head back on the wall.
