Page 33 of As Above, So Below

I don’t want her to see me like this.

The sound of footsteps through debris heralds her approach, and after a moment, she slides in next to me, her arms encircling my shoulders. She gently draws me into her, as silent sobs rack my body.

Leaning her cheek against my head, she holds me close and lets me cry.

Eventually, my eyes dry, leaving us sitting in a heavy silence.

Lifting my tired eyes, I stare at the mound of books at my feet, trying my best not to spiral into darkness—and failing.

In three days I’ll be married to Kassil.

Eternally boundto the demon guilty of rape, manipulation, and physical abuse. I should have never believed I actually mattered to him. I swallow hard against the lump in my throat and the rising nausea.

Shifting, I stretch my legs from beneath me, my leg pushing its way beside a pile of books. An obsidian box slips from its precarious perch atop it, falling onto my ankle and I cry out, causing Ylara to jump.

Snatching my leg away, I glare at the offensive box as Ylara reaches for it. “I’ve never seen obsidian like this,” she says, her soft voice quiet.

The surface of the dark stone has a swirling pattern carved into it, reminding me of old magic runes. If they are runes, they’re of a language I don’t know. The entire surface of the box is etched with continuous lines, deep grooves in the obsidian, and it’s near impossible to tell where the pattern begins or ends.

Roughly the size of a book, the box is slightly smaller, slightly thicker, and pounds heavier. My ankle burns with soreness as I continue to stare at the box. Ylara turns it over in her lap, her brows furrowing.

“I don’t recognize this design. Do you?” she asks, lifting her dark eyes to meet mine. “It’s almost runic.”

I shake my head.

Whatever it is, it’s beautiful.

Tracing my fingers over the lines, the unnerving magic meant to unweave one’s mind, one’s innate, pulls all the warmth from my hand. At the same time, a faint pulsing shoots up my arm and plants itself in my chest.

Not wanting to startle Ylara a second time, I withdraw my hand slowly, freeing myself of the damning magic meant to keep others away and the item safe within. I’m sure it’s some sort of cursed object Netharis has stolen from the living realm and squirreled away in his constant quest for power.

“What do you think it is?” she asks as she sets the box aside.

My thoughts veer dark. “Perhaps bloodstone,” I answer, my tone devoid of feeling.

Ylara’s face crumples. “I’m so sorry, Ves,” she says in a breathy rush and I turn to stare at my little sister. “There’s so much I need to—”

“Gods, Ylara,” I say softly, interrupting her. “None of this is your fault. You’ve no need to apologize.”

Working her lips into a flat line, Ylara meets my stare. She searches my face, and it’s as if she’s fighting with herself on what she should say next. As if she’s holding back her own tears. After a brief silence, she nods slowly, reluctantly.

“You’re not the one forcing me to marry Kassil,” I say and her eyes grow round before she grimaces, her brows furrowing. “I have three days before I’m ejected from the Tower and sent to the Layer of Wrath.”

“At the mercy of Kassil,” she whispers, and I deign a tight nod.

Reaching, she wipes a tear sliding down my cheek with a gentle hand.

I would have never expected such kindness from Ylara. It is not a demon’s nature to be kind.

“If you continue to show me kindness, you’ll find yourself beside Vaelyn as a target of Netharis’ rage,” I laugh weakly, and she gives me a small smile.

“We’ll just have to escape together,” she says and my brows raise in surprise. “Ves, please. I already know you plan on leaving. I would too if I learned it was possible.”

I stare at my sister, jaw agape. Once again, I’m reminded of how tiny Ylara really is. The smallest of Netharis’ children, the daughter of Indui, the goddess of the night.

“You want to leave?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. She nods. “Then we have three days to figure it out.”

Pulling herself to a stand, she offers me her hand. Without a second thought, I reach for her. Her eyes glimmer with excitement as I stand.