Page 76 of House of Malice
“Don’t think I will let you off the hook on this one,” Andro said and pulled his T-shirt over his head. “I don’t care if it is dangerous. You need to tell me what is going on with you.”
Blaze ran a hand through his hair and smirked. “Have you no self-preservation left? I would think with your levels of anxiety, you’d know better than to involve yourself in something dodgy.”
Andro slammed the door of his locker shut and leaned his shoulder against it. He crossed his arms and glared at Blaze. “It’s about the IQ, isn’t it?”
Blaze frowned. “IQ? What the fuck is that? Are you questioning my intelligence?”
Andro rolled his eyes and looked around. Then he leaned forward and whispered, “IQstands for theImp Queen, you asshat.”
Blaze chuckled. “You’re unbelievable.”
Andro kept staring at Blaze.
“Okay, okay,” Blaze said, closing his locker. “Yes, it is related to IQ.”
“I knew it,” Andro said. “Do you understand how fucking dangerous it is to meddle in the business of D-E-M-O-N-S?!”
Blaze was unsure whether he wanted to laugh at Andro for spelling the worddemon. They were the last two left in the locker room by now. Nobody was listening.
“That is what I told you earlier, Long Legs,” Blaze said with a smirk. “It’s dangerous.”
Andro sighed. “Why are you doing it? What did she promise you?”
Blaze didn’t answer for a moment, packing up his bag.
“Blaze?”
“She didn’t promise me anything really. She will owe me a favor,” Blaze said.
“That is not nothing,” Andro said with a frown. “A favor from her can make or break one’s life.”
Blaze looked at Andro. “I know. I—I hope she can help me get rid of Galliermo.”
Andro’s gaze softened, and he leaned the side of his head against the locker door. “Are you trying to kill your father?”
Blaze shook his head. “I’m not crazy. I just want him off my back and out of my business. For good.”
“And you think working with her will help you do that?”
Blaze nodded. “It’s the only hope I have. There isn’t a more powerful creature in Inathis than her. Not one that I know of or have access to. And they have a strained relationship, which means I can use that to my advantage.”
“And what if they are using you instead?” Andro asked.
It was the fear Blaze also had. Especially after the visit to Gill’s.
He lifted his chin. “I am willing to risk it. I will not let my father rule my life anymore.”
Andro nodded.
And I will not become him, Blaze thought, but he didn’t voice it.
33
Alecto’s boots made a soft thud with each step she took. Three steps down into the basement, she stopped and took a sip of her coffee. The cup was overflowing, and she didn’t want to lose even a single drop of this liquid gold.
The rest of the Inner Circle and Rogue were already there, waiting for her.
“Good, you’re here,” Val said, looking up from rolling a blunt. “Today’s meeting won’t be long, don’t worry.”
