Page 14 of House of Malice
“You’re seriously unhinged.” The first words that spilled out of Galia’s mouth were less than kind. “Why, for the love of the Gods, did you think that parading Rogue around as a member of your House would be a good idea?”
“Because it was.” Val smirked. “He’s always been a favorite of the crowd.”
“Did you forget that the Dean knows he’s a demon?” Galia crossed her arms. “He’s not happy about your House having Rogue back and under your control. And he wants me to swear a blood oath tomorrow at midnight. I can’t say no, or he’ll know something is up.”
“And why is that my problem?” Val asked, her voice sweet as honey.
Galia walked up to Val until their faces were mere inches away. “Because he’s about to destroy your fucking House. And I’m the only one who can help you. So you better fucking help me avoid this damned oath.”
“Fine,” Val said, her voice flat. “But you will have to swear an oath to me.”
“Over my dead body,” Galia said through clenched teeth.
Val smirked. “That could always be arranged, Rathone. Let’s not forget what happened to poor Riverblood.”
Galia sneered. “I’m not swearing a blood oath to you nor anyone else from the House of Snakes.”
“I don’t need a blood oath,” Val said. “I just need a simple oath as protection against treachery. I think it’s a fair ask.”
“Then I think it’s fair for me to ask you to swear an oath to me,” Galia said. “I should protect myself from your treachery as well.”
Val smiled, but it was a cruel smile, filled with venom. “Fine, Rathone. I’ll swear an oath so you can sleep better at night.”
They quickly linked their pinky fingers, and then Val turned to Blaze and the rest. “We need to find a way to override the blood oath. There must be something in the Book.” She glanced at Galia. “You’ll come with us for now.”
To Blaze’s surprise, Galia didn’t argue and followed them to their brownstone obediently.
Val sent Jolene, Andro, and Alecto downstairs to the basement to find a spell that would prevent the blood oath from activating while appearing that it had. Val, Blaze, and Galia stayed in their home library.
Blaze sat on one of the armchairs perched against the bookshelves lining the wall. He yawned, sleep creeping in. It was way past midnight, and he really needed a good night’s rest.
Recently, he and Alecto had been pretty busy.
Galia sat on the leather sofa, and Val sat on top of the table, glaring at the other High Priestess.
“You have anything to say, Lang?” Galia asked, inspecting her nails.
“Do you? I still find it so odd that you come to us for help out of everyone.”
Galia’s eyes snapped to Val, anger flickering within them. “It is not only me who benefits from it. When are you going to learn? I help you, and in exchange you help me. It’s a business deal.”
“You’re all about making alliances and business deals,” Blaze murmured.
Galia glanced at him and rolled her eyes. “That’s what we’re supposed to do at Venefica, Leveau. We aren’t at the most prestigious college to get wasted and waste time fucking around. We’re supposed to build networks and form covens that will benefit our future.”
Blaze lit up a cigarette and took a long drag.
“Don’t you ever think it’s a bad look on you to jump from one bed to the next one so quickly?” Blaze asked.
Val chuckled.
Galia narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you think it’s a bad look to be the only House nobody wants to form alliances with?”
Blaze shrugged. “It’s not like we’re lacking in power, resources, or prestige. We’re selective.”
Galia draped one leg over another and soothed the lines of her black suit pants with her hand. “Then why is it that you agreed to take me up on this deal? Certainly not because of your good heart.”
That was a good question. Blaze looked at Val with an arched eyebrow.
