Page 49 of To Dwell in Shadows
Chapter 24
“Eww, whatisthat?” Selene said to herself, peering at a book covered in pulsating green goo. It was wedged behind a bookcase so rickety it looked like it would disintegrate if she breathed too hard.
Since she had started cleaning up the Underworld’s library, she’d faced a constant game of picking her battles. Some sections just needed the dust swept away, while others had surfaces that required vigorous scrubbing. The gooey book fell into theno way am I touching thatcategory, so Selene avoided that corner, and continued stacking books by category and condition.
Zetta napped on a pile of crumpled pages nearby, snoring out puffs of smoke with every exhalation. Since had Selene decided she needed a project to keep from going stir crazy, Zetta rarely left her side. They had settled into a daily rhythm. Each morning, Selene helped Ogrin feed the hellhounds, despite the demoness’s constant grumbling. Then Zetta kept Selene company in the library. Even with the occasional icky moment, working amid the dust and decaying tomes of the library was an introvert’s dream: quiet, peaceful, andwithout distractions. Zetta also seemed to enjoy the break from her cage and the noise of the other dogs.
Selene picked at the flecks of disintegrated book bindings clinging to her dress. She was wearing the most utilitarian thing Prickles could find—a blue Victorian-inspired, high-necked frock with tight sleeves that didn’t get caught on everything. She had asked for pants or something resembling a simple T-shirt, but so far Prickles hadn’t delivered.
After setting down yet another battered book on war strategy, a hardback titled,Lonely Nights and Magic Delightscaught her eye. She flipped through it, hoping it was the type of erotica Sam liked. It turned out to be a crumbling manual on sleight-of-hand tricks. She tossed it aside and tried not to let her thoughts drift to how much she missed Sam. Or wonder why it had been so hard for him to make time for her.
In Aurelia, when she and Sam had talked about coming to the Underworld, Selene had naively pictured them exploring the realm together. Sam would act as her tour guide, and they would both get reacquainted with his parents over family outings, shared meals, and whatever else demons liked to do for fun.
So far, the only meal she hadn’t eaten alone in her room occurred on the night of their arrival. Prickles brought her trays of food like clockwork, but the imp didn’t like to stay and chat. Playing with Zetta and the dogs helped ease her loneliness, but she couldn’t help feeling a little abandoned. Selene had barely even seen Queen Thema since learning how to scry and shield.
“Selene? Are you in here?”
The question startled her. It came from a voice that sounded like Sam’s, but she held back from answering. Was this another trick? Had Drath or another demon sensed she was thinking about Sam and come to torment her?
She covertly peered around a bookcase. Sam—or someone who looked like him—stood near the library’s entrance, surveying the space with a scowl. There were dark circles under his eyes and hisshoulders were slumped, but when he caught sight of her, his face brightened.
As he came toward her, Selene held up a hand. “Wait. How do I know you’re really Sam?” Quickly, she imagined the pyramid slamming down over her mind and thoughts.
His forehead creased. “What do you mean?”
“I need to know you’re real.”
Sam stared at her for a moment, then said, “I’m real.”
“Prove it.”
“How?”
Selene looked him up and down, considering. “Tell me the name of the Harpy I sang a song to in Iriswood.”
“Pydiana,” he replied without hesitation.
Selene exhaled with her entire body and rushed toward him. “Oh, thank god.” But right before she reached him, she stopped, remembering how filthy she was. “I’m dying to kiss you, but I’m covered in dust. What are you doing here?”
Wordlessly, Sam pulled her into his arms, dust and all, and crushed his lips to hers. She threaded her fingers through his thick hair, sinking her nails into his scalp. His hands cradled her face so he could take her mouth hard, undulating his tongue against hers. His scent, the wetness of their mouths, and the nearness of his body made her blood spark with fire.
From the corner of her eye, Selene saw Zetta wake up long enough to let out a soft whine as she yawned, then fall back asleep.
After several blissful minutes of kissing, Sam pulled back. “Why did you think it wasn’t me?”
“I had a bad experience recently. I’ll tell you later.” She laid her cheek against his chest. His clothes smelled funny, like wet stone and rusted iron, but she didn’t care. His heart thumped beneath her ear. “I’m just so glad to see you.”
“What bad experience?”
“It’s nothing. How have you been?”
Sam grasped her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What bad experience? Tell me what happened.”
She bit her lip. “I’m afraid of how you’re going to react.”
“Were you harmed?”
“No. Well, not physically.” When Sam growled, Selene cupped his jaw and said, “I’m fine, I swear. I’ll tell you, but you must promise not to storm off and do vengeance.”
