Page 83 of As Above, So Below

Her words land against my stomach like sharp blows, and I struggle to breathe. In my chest, my heart hammers hard enough for me to feel it in my fingertips. Shadows begin to billow from under me, pouring over the side of the bed and creating a low hanging fog over the floor.

Springing onto the chair in a nimble leap above the fog, Eve clings to the mantle of the fireplace. “Hey, hey, hey. What’s going on?” Her ice blue eyes search mine. “Control your innate, Ves. I’ve no desire to visit the hells,” she says, trying to mask the panic in her voice.

Swallowing against the tightness in my throat, I take a deep, deep breath, willing my heart to slow. As the minute stretches on and I grab hold of my innate with a white-knuckled grip, the shadows vanish.

Another minute passes before Eve lowers herself to the floor.

“Thalion Witherhorn,” I say, staring at the circle she’s drawn in ash, “held a contract with Netharis. I was the Death Bringer sent to collect his soul.”

Eve’s face pinches further with confusion. “And you remember that? From three centuries ago?”

“The night haunts me still. No other mortal has been able to see me through the veil.”

“The Sovereign King could see you?”

I shake my head, my silver hair swirling with the ferocity of the movement, before meeting her stare. “No. Another. I don’t know his name.”

“Someonesawyou take the late king’s soul?” Her eyes grow wide.

I nod. “I dream of him still, and I don’t know why. But the events of that night areburnedinto my memory. Thalion included.”

“Do you think Lilith knows you’re the one…?” Eve’s voice trails off. She doesn’t want to finish the question.

“Does she know I’m the demon who dragged her husband’s soul to the hells?” I finish the question. “For my own safety, I have to assume she does.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Later that evening, as I lace up the last of my boot, a knock on my door sounds.

“It’s open,” I call, straightening myself.

Eve opens the door, peeking inside. She gives me a weak smile. “I was just going to ask if you still wanted to go, but I see you’re dressed and ready.”

She steps into the room, closing the door behind her. Dressed in common clothes, it’s strange to see her in anything other than her temple robes. Donning dark brown leather pants that cling to her muscular legs and a form fitting, light-weight, white shirt, she looks more adventurer than temple priestess.

Eve is built like a warrior and I would have never guessed. Tall, muscular, and lean, she makes for an intimidating sight.

“I think after today, we both deserve a bit of distraction,” she says, pulling me out of my lingering stare.

Grabbing my cloak from the bed, I sling it about my shoulders. “I think tonight I’ll hunt for someone capable of taking me away from all of this,” I admit quietly, my fingers working the clasp closed.

Leaning against the door, Eve crosses her arms. “I would come with you, but Cora… she’ll never leave Ollora.”

A corner of my heart begins to splinter. Eve has become my closest friend here, and the thought of leaving her pains me in a way I hadn’t expected—not after a week together.

Offering a weak smile, I pull the hood over my head, hiding away my silver hair. “I’m not going to steal away tonight. I have until the eclipse to find someone—a mortal foolish enough to sign acontract.”

“With a face like yours, you’ll find a dozen foolish fae within the hour.” She huffs a laugh, shaking her head.

“I don’t think my face will be enough,” I laugh, “but I do have a couple trinkets I could offer.”

Her brows raise. “Oh?”

With a small smile, I laugh. “Things I’ve stolen from the hells.”

“Oh, so nothing major. Nothing damning,” she teases casually. “Bringing a few cursed items from the hells is nothing to worry about.”

Unable to stop myself, I grin. “Unless you fear a couple books or a glamouring ring magicked to hide its ability, you’ve nothing to stress over.”