Page 115 of House of Malice
Blaze turned to face Rogue. “You’re close with the Imp Queen?”
A muscle in Rogue’s jaw ticked. “I wouldn’t sayclose. But I am under her jurisdiction now.”
Blaze nodded. “So it means that you are bound to work on anything that is in her benefit?”
Rogue only nodded.
“Have you heard about some old chest that belonged to her?” Blaze asked. He hoped he could trust Rogue with this. Surely, he wouldn’t want to cross the Imp Queen. “It was recently sold at the auction.”
“Yes, to your father,” Rogue said. “I am aware.”
Blaze nodded. “Okay, good. So, the Imp Queen asked me to get the chest from my father for her.”
Rogue didn’t say a word. He only looked at Blaze, his gaze passive.
“He has it in his office. Under the protection of an old spell,” Blaze explained. “It is Elder Magick, so I need someone who is fluent in Helish to help break the spell.”
Rogue arched an eyebrow.
“I need your help,” Blaze ground out. Rogue smiled then. “I need your help with performing the spell and then getting the chest to the Imp Queen.”
“That must be hard for you, isn’t it?” Rogue said, amused. “Asking my help.”
Blaze didn’t answer.
“And why is it that you work for the Imp Queen?” he asked. “Are you looking to sell your soul, Leveau? I guess apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Rage bubbled inside Blaze’s chest. It took everything in him not to explode.
“I don’t intend on selling my soul, demon,” Blaze said, his voice low. “I do have my reasons for working with the Imp Queen.”
Rogue chuckled.
“I asked you nicely for help,” Blaze said. “But you know better than anyone that you can’t refuse. You are bound to our House, and you are working for the Imp Queen. But I thought you would feel a bit better if you felt that it was your choice.”
All amusement left Rogue’s face. “Why don’t you ask Valeria?” he asked. “She’s fluent in Helish too. And she’s yourfriend, isn’t she?”
The truth was, Val was more than a friend. All the members of the Inner Circle were.
But Blaze didn’t want them involved. Not with this thing. It was Blaze’s business, and his alone.
“I am asking you,” Blaze said. He flicked the butt of the cigarette out the window. “I need to perform the spell as soon as possible. My father is leaving for Holly Hills tomorrow, and he will be there for only forty-eight hours, so we have a very short window to act.” He rose to his feet.
Rogue didn’t answer immediately. But finally, he sighed and said, “Fine. I will help.”
“I will get everything we need for the spell,” Blaze said, walking towards the door. “Be ready to leave for Avalon Hills tomorrow night.”
The next morning, Blaze was tired. He’d barely had any sleep. After the conversation with Rogue, he went to see Jill at her office about his rib.
She was less than pleased that he bothered her in the middle of the night when it was her quiet time. But Blaze couldn’t wait, and he needed to be in the best shape possible for what was to come next.
Jill had healed his broken rib and given him a stronger salve for his bruises.
Blaze yawned, staring at his empty plate. Romeo was whistling a tune while flipping pancakes.
“Where did you go last night?” Alecto whispered, rubbing his back. She leaned against the counter where he sat on a tall chair.
“To see Jill,” Blaze said. “She fixed me right up.”
