Page 119 of As Above, So Below

I don’t want him to look at anyone else like that.

The brutal honesty of the thought takes me by surprise, and I purse my lips. Shoving it into the darkened corners of my being, I sigh. It doesn’t matter what I feel, or what I want with him. None of it will matter if I’m dragged back to the hells.

This is all a strange mortal infatuation. It will fade. I simply need to endure for now.

The voices of Cora and Eve float down the hall and I lift my head.

They’re walking hand in hand, laughing and chatting with one another as they approach. It’s such a simple thing, and it brings a smile to my face. Such casual and open affection would never be seen in the hells. Let me live in their happiness for only a moment.

Cora’s eyes meet mine and her face lights up with a grin.

Eve, following her partner’s gaze, sees me and offers a warm smile.

“I’m surprised to see you awake this early, Ves,” Cora says in bright tones. “Did you not sleep well?”

“I actually slept really well,” I laugh and sip my tea.

It’s begun to go cold.

I must have lost myself in thought for longer than I realized.

“Ves’ favorite time of day in the temple is prayer,” Eve muses with a sly grin. “It’s the only time the temple is quiet.”

“No need to expose all my secrets, Eve,” I mutter and she begins to laugh.

Glancing past them, the hall begins to fill with others returning to their rooms following morning prayer. Shifting, I pull my hair over my shoulder as I lower my legs from the windowsill.

Eve’s head tilts in curiosity.

“What are your plans for today?” I ask, a question directed at them both.

“I’m on kitchen rotation this week, so that’s where you’ll find me,” Cora laughs, making a face that tells me she’s not excited about the assignment.

“Artemise’s latest orders are to ensure you don’t draw the attention of the royal family any further,” Eve replies in teasing tones. “Which means, whatever you’re doing, I’m doing. And ideally that means not leaving the temple.”

She levels a flat glare in my direction.

Guilt heats my cheeks and causes my lips to purse as I stand from my makeshift seat in the window. Pulling the blanket up over my shoulders, I move across the hall toward my bedroom door.

“Luckily for you, I don’t have much on my agenda today,” I half tease in return, pushing my door open.

“I’ll find you later,” Cora says quietly to Eve. “I have to get started on breakfast with the others.”

Eve pulls Cora into her embrace, kissing her tenderly on her brow. Wanting to give them a moment of privacy, I close the door behind me, leaving it slightly ajar for Eve.

I approach the standing mirror in the corner of the room.

Looking over my reflection, I see no evidence of the demon mark on the front of my body. But turning, I pause—throwing the blanket onto the bed, I set my mug of tea on the floor at my feet.Drawing in a deep breath, I pull my hair aside.

A tight frown tugs at my lips.

Starting at the base of my skull and following my spine, a string of black Malbolge runes lie inked on my skin. They slip beneath my camisole.

How large is this mark?

With trembling fingers, the camisole slips from my shoulders, the silk gathering at my hips as my eyes widen. It’s the largest demon mark I’ve ever seen. Spanning between my hairline and tailbone, the runes outline the terms of the contract. I’ve seen delicate bands around wrists, ankles, the throat, over the heart, down arms… neverthis.

The size of the demon mark makes little difference in what I’ve done. At least it’s not terribly visible like others—easy to hide under my robes, as long as I leave my hair down.