Page 107 of The Rebel Witch

I shook my head. “As far as I can tell, I have no influence at all. None of this is helpful. I don’t want to fight anymore. Not before I have to go into the lion’s den.”

She seemed to come to some decision. She walked over to the rack of clothes on my left and pulled down a black cocktail dress. “It’s got a big enough skirt you can fight in it if you have to, but it’s elegant enough to convince Lucifer you’re taking the dinner seriously. And it goes well with the necklace. Wear the Givenchy heels. They’re comfortable and more flexible than anything else here.”

She turned and started to leave.

“Thank you,” I said, holding the dress. I wouldn’t have looked at it. I would have tried to wear slacks. She was right about the shoes, too.

She stopped, not turning. “I’ll think about what you said. I worry, though. I don’t think you can find my soul. If you can’t, then you should have Sasha put me down. He’ll do it. Donovan won’t be able to handle the blood on his hands, but Sasha won’t hesitate. He didn’t know me before, so he’s the perfect one to do it. Don’t wait too long. A week or two to ease your conscience, and then…”

My heart caught in my chest. “I don’t…”

“You’re right. I died a long time ago. It will be a relief to everyone,” she said, not turning my way.

“Not to me.”

Her hand went to the doorjamb, as though she needed it to hold her up. “Remember me the way I was. The woman I used to be… She forgives you. She loves you. And Casey. It’ll be better for him, too. Let Lee try tonight. He’s good at what he does, and Lucifer won’t be able to harm you if he can’t prove what’s happened. After all, Lee wouldn’t be the first to steal a bit of Lucifer’s body. I know of at least one person who got away with it.”

She walked away, and I was left with an ache I was sure would never heal.

Chapter Sixteen

Liv

I stood and watched as Eddie put one hand on Lee. Lee stood in the big foyer of the house, Dean Malone in his muscular arms. I had to admit the two young males made a striking couple even if they weren’t together in that way. Dean’s strength was lean and subtle, where Lee was a walking example of a football linebacker. Lee’s coloring was that midnight dark I’ve only ever really seen in thesidhe, while Dean was all light. His head slumped against Lee’s shoulder, and he looked young and vulnerable.

If there was anything of his father in there, I couldn’t see it.

“Are we ready?” Eddie asked.

Tix frowned. “Shouldn’t I be asking that question? Lord Sloane, I don’t know why we need to bring the satan along. I can teleport everyone to Lucifer’s realm myself.”

Tix was upset there was another butler going along. He was a very jealous servant.

I felt something big move in beside me and looked down. Hellhound. Three of them, actually. The largest of the three started to move toward Fenrir, who looked utterly uncomfortable in a suit and tie.

“Hercules, stay,” Fen said in a deep voice.

The hellhound whined but sat back on his haunches.

“I know, buddy, but hellhounds weren’t invited to this dinner,” Fen said. “Casey will watch after you. He’s got all the treats.”

Casey. I wished he was going, too. Nope. They had to leave someone behind to make sure I didn’t…run away? Which I shouldn’t pretend like it’s a dumb thing for them to do since it was exactly what I’d been planning.

Kelsey looked gorgeous in the dress I’d selected, and the shoes did exactly what I’d thought they would. They made her legs look long and sculpted. She’s such a beautiful woman, but she didn’t know it.

I felt sick inside at what I’d said to her. The words had come out before I thought about them, wild anger making me reckless. And yet, the apology wouldn’t come now. It was stuck in my throat, sitting there because I didn’t have the courage to walk up to her and tell her I was wrong.

That would mean she was right. About everything, and I couldn’t face that right now. So I stood there as they gathered around getting ready to go into what would likely be a rough battle.

“You know why I need Eddie,” Gray said with a sharpness to his tone. “Tix, if you’re going to…”

Tix held a hand up. “I’m sorry, master. I do understand why. I’m…I don’t like to admit this. I’m nervous. I don’t like the fact that he’s blindsided us.”

“That’s his way,” Gray replied.

Tix nodded. “Master, I’m going to ask you to be especially careful. Something’s been happening in the house, some energy I don’t like. It’s flared several times since you brought Lady Sloane here, but I cannot pin it down. It’s elusive, and that worries me. I fear it could have something to do with Lucifer’s invitation since we all know how his realm can affect things down here.”

Evan held up a hand. “Uhm, I don’t.”

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