Page 121 of Architecti
Lex shrugs.“My sister had a late starter.”
But something feels off, like an ant trapped under your shirt.I can’t get rid of the sensation.We make our way to the front of the tower, and Lucy is standing there with several professors, Alistair and Thalia—the two professors I see her with most often, among them.
Ignatius is behind her.He catches my eye and narrows his gaze at me.He indicates for me to come to him, so I break off from Lex and Bastien and head over.
The two students I don’t recognise linger near the drinks table Lucy is at.Professor Stroud joins Alistair and Thalia in conversation.
Lucy appears elegant and put back together save for a couple of rubies missing from her chest; they must have flicked off while we were fucking.My eyes glance up to the window, a smirk tickling the corner of my mouth.Aside from the missing rubies, you’d never know I fucked her.
“What do you want, Ignatius?”I ask, moving us away from the group of professors into a nook near a bar.
“Is that really a way to talk to the demon holding your soul in his hands?Hmm?”
“I have a party to attend unless you have something you need me to do?”
“There are three souls I need you to reap tomorrow.”
“Fine, send the details in the moths as usual.”
“Eager to get rid of me tonight, aren’t you?You wouldn’t be hiding anything from me, would you?”
“Like I could,” I say.
Lies.I’m hiding too much from him.
He leans close.“I see the way you look at my daughter.She is not for you.”
“Why?Because I’m a lowly reaper?Or because I’m a mortal?”
His lip curls.“Both…”
But that’s not it, is it?There’s something he’s hiding from me or maybe from her.“There’s more, isn’t there?”
“If she falls in love with a mortal, her powers will be lost.I can’t… I won’t allow that to happen.”
There’s something in his expression.Something I’m missing.I may not be close to Ignatius, but I’ve known him for a decade, I’m used to his ego, his charm, I can tell when he’s lying.And while it might not be an outright lie, thereissomething.
“No…That’s not it.Why don’t you want me near her?”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about, Midnight.You’re naive to think you can barrel up to me with this ego and accusations.You’re mortal, that alone means you’re not good enough for her.”
“And yet, you haven’t denied it.Maybe it’s not me you want her to avoid.But it is something about me, or is it a relationship you don’t want her having?Is the threat a human?Perhaps it’s all tied to her contract…”
His expression darkens.I’ve hit a nerve.Good.
“I’m going to figure it out, Ignatius.And when I do, I’m going to make sure she knows how to break free from you.”
He snarls.Lurches towards me, grabbing my shirt.
Thalia bursts out laughing, distracting both of us.I slip his outstretched hand, spinning out of his grasp as Thalia flings her arms out, laughing so hard she knocks several glasses over.
“The best bit…” I say, and only demons know what possesses me to keep pushing him.“I’ve got nothing to lose by pissing you off.You might reap my soul, but you can’t for another thirty days.”
He flashes so dark I swear he swallows Finis Tower whole.Thalia is still laughing when Mortem appears out of nowhere.
“Hey, Mortem,” I say and kneel to pet him, but he darts away and heads straight for Lucy, who’s reaching for a drink.
Mortem hisses and leaps at her, disappearing through her dress and I assume sinking his claws into her ankle because she lets the glass go and hops around, screaming.
