Page 25 of Architecti
He nods.“I realise that now.”
“Why is it such a big deal if she attends.She’s just a reaper.It’s not like you don’t have others.”
He nods, though his posture is as stiff as his demeanour.
“Just promise me you won’t go there.I can’t afford for you to lose your power to a mortal.”
I fold my arms.“Just because she likes women and I like women doesn’t mean we’re going to get hitched.”
Though… if she wasn’t a student, I wouldn’t be making the same promise about fucking.
He huffs, checks the hanky and finally pulls it away.
“Yes, I’m not an idiot.I understand the principles of attraction.”He takes a deep breath, rolls his shoulders and relaxes.“But with your new role as Head of Inferos, our reputation is key right now.With the Veil flailing, and…” He stops himself.Then continues.“I simply can’t afford you to fall in love with a mortal and give up all your power.I won’t have it.Do you understand me?”
“No falling for mortals.Got it,” I drawl.
His eyes flash.“I mean it, Lucy.If the Veil actually fails, we are all in grave danger.If Architecti were to…”
“To what?Hmm?”
The truth hangs between us.
“Say it,” I edge closer, my knee searing in agony, but I refuse to be weak, refuse to let him strip me of power.“Confess and this all goes away, Daddy,” I say in a sing-song voice.
His nose wrinkles in disgust.“Just keep away from her.She’s my best reaper.But she’s still a fucking mortal.Do not sully your reputation with a grinner, of all things.If you want a husband, or a wife, I’ll arrange for one for you.”
“You’ll do no such thing.”
His lips pull into a sneer as he walks to the door, dropping his bloodied hanky in the kitchen bin on the way.“Then see to it that you keep your hands, and your power, to yourself.I swear, if you fall for a mortal and lose our family power…”
He opens my apartment door.
“You’ll what?”I shove my hand on my hip, hold myself strong despite the throbbing pain in my leg.“It’s my power, Father.Mine to keep, mine to give away.”
His expression darkens.“I made you, Lucy.I can unmake you.Don’t you forget it.”
“Good morning, Dean Corvine,” a sing-song voice chimes in the hallway.
“Morning,” Father says, his expression morphing into that charming warmth mixed with serious professional academia.
Bile claws at my throat.He turns to me, some of the sunshine melting away.He clenches and unclenches his fists, not quite able to meet my eye.
“I’ll see you at the Severance Rite.I… I’m sorry.I do love you,” he says, his voice soft.
I nod.
“I know,” I say, and I do.He’s a demon, and they’re all flighty, angry types.And yet the churning in my gut tells me that it’s not an excuse.That I deserve better.That I shouldn’t tolerate it.But he’s my father.
The only one I have.
The only family I have, and I’m afraid if I push him away, I’ll be all alone.
The flat door closes, and I sag against my dining room table, weakness settling into my muscles, tears stinging my eyes.
10
Lucy
