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CHAPTER TEN

My sword had never felt heavier. The weight of it slowed each step toward Fairhaven. Sending me to slay Kumbhakara wasn’t a trial; it was torture, pure and simple. I nearly burst into tears at the sight of Kane’s face when I crossed the border. I heard a whoop of celebratory relief when I appeared. Before I could speak, he cupped my face in his hands and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was possessive, affectionate, and emotional all at once; I didn’t think I’d ever felt more loved than in this moment.

“Are you okay?” he whispered.

“I’m alive and you’re holding me, so yes. I am very much okay.”

He threaded his hands in my hair. “I can’t stand this. I should’ve let Lucifer take me.”

“No, you shouldn’t have. I can do this. Trust me.”

“I do trust you. It’s him I don’t trust.”

“Glad to see you, Clay.”

Still wrapped in Kane’s arms, I bent my neck for a better view of West. “Glad to see you, too. What are you doing here? ”

“West took guard duty,” Kane explained. “He wanted to be here in case you needed help crossing the finish line.”

I was touched. “You wouldn’t have been allowed to help me, although I appreciate the gesture.”

“I would’ve found a way,” West said, resolute.

Kane squeezed my waist. “Let’s get you home. Ray and Nana Pratt will be worried.”

“I think deep-seated anxiety is the only thing keeping Nana Pratt tethered to this plane.” Still, it would be good to see her again. I’d been too focused on survival to miss them while I was away, but now their absence began to seep into my bones.

Lucifer’s slow clap stopped us in our tracks. It took all my strength not to rip an oak tree from its roots and make direct contact with the demon’s head. Regular baseball was boring, but this… This version I would enjoy.

“I dare say I’m impressed, young lady,” he cooed, standing at the edge of the clearing. “That took chutzpah.”

I withdrew from Kane’s embrace and turned to face our tormentor. “I assume I got a passing grade for that.”

“Oh, yes. You ticked that box. Well done, you.”

“What’s next?” I demanded.

“I told you I’d allow you a twenty-four-hour rest period. It seems the least I can do.”

“The least you can do is leave Fairhaven right now and never return.”

Lucifer chuckled. “I was just telling Kane how much I like you. You seem tailor-made for him. Like we say in hell, there’s a stoker for every flame.” The demon shook his head in awe. “What a world.”

I slid an arm along Kane’s waist. “Take me home, please.”

“I’ll see you back here tomorrow.” Lucifer tapped an imaginary watch on his wrist. “Twenty-four hours and not a minute more. ”

“I’ll set two alarms,” I called over my shoulder. “How did he know I’d done the deed?” I asked Kane in a low tone.

“I don’t know. I tried to pretend he wasn’t there.”

“No idle chitchat?”

“He talked. I ignored him.”

“Its own brand of torture,” I remarked.

We fell silent until we reached the parking lot of the Devil’s Playground.

“Was it bad?” Kane asked.

I unlocked my truck. “I’d say I’ve experienced worse things, but I might be lying.”

His gaze scraped over me. “Any wounds to clean?”

“Not my blood.”

“Was the monster as dangerous as you expected?”

“Kumbhakara wasn’t dangerous at all. He was a giant, sleepy teddy bear.”

“And I suppose that’s why Lucifer chose that particular trial. He knew how you’d react to killing an innocent.”

“Torture is most definitely the demon’s specialty.” And there were many types of torture, as I was doomed to discover today.

I couldn’t imagine what was in store for tomorrow.

Kane inclined his head toward the truck. “Would you like me to stay with you tonight or would you prefer space?”

I gave him a wry smile. “I live with two ghosts and a revenant. When do I ever get space?” One of my foster mothers had often complained that she had no space to think with all the kids underfoot. At the time, I didn’t quite understand, but I did now. Still, I wouldn’t trade my undead crew for anything; they were my makeshift family.

“Is that an invitation?” Kane asked.

“You’re always welcome in my home, Kane.” I had no idea how much time we had left together, whether I’d be successful in the next two trials. I’d take every second I could get with him, especially after what I’d just gone through with Kumbhakara.

“Good to know.” Kane climbed into the passenger seat. “I’ll clean your sword if you’d like to shower and rest.”

“Thank you.” I was grateful for the offer; it would’ve been difficult to wipe away the last remnants of Kumbhakara. Part of me wanted to keep the bloodstains as a reminder of his sacrifice, but I knew it was too macabre. I’d have to remember him the old-fashioned way.

Kane clasped my hand in his as we passed through the gate. The ghosts hovered in the foyer as we entered. Nana Pratt’s translucent face shimmered with anxiety.

“I’m safe,” I told them, “but I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Are you hungry?” Nana Pratt asked. “I kept a stew warm in the oven.”

“You’re a gift from the gods,” I said with a weary smile. “I’d like to shower first, then eat.”

“And then go straight to bed,” Ray said. “You look exhausted.”

“Only emotionally.”

Nana Pratt eyed my blood-spattered clothes. “Bring that outfit down and I’ll see if I can get the stains out. No promises.”

I dragged myself upstairs to shower. True to his word, Kane used that time to clean my sword. I emerged from the bathroom in shorts and a T-shirt. I left my hair damp.

Kane observed me from the corner of the bed. “You look much better. How do you feel?” he asked, closing the lid of the weapons trunk.

“A little better. Thank you for taking care of the sword.”

“I wish I could do more.”

I held out my hand. “Join me for stew?”

“It would be my pleasure.”

Dinner was a quiet affair. I was relieved that everybody respected my desire not to speak of the trial. My phone had been in silent mode, which I discovered when I noticed ten missed calls and one message from Gunther, telling me that the Supay problem had been taken care of. Even that good news wasn’t enough to boost my mood. I shot off a quick text message to let him know I was alive and that I’d talk to him tomorrow. As much as I loved Gun and appreciated his concern, I didn’t have the energy for him right now.

I thanked Nana Pratt for the meal and retreated upstairs. Kane shadowed me but said nothing.

“You don’t have to go to sleep now just because I am,” I said, snuggling under the covers. I sank against the plush mattress and relished the comfort of my own bed.

“Would you mind if I check on the club and then come back?”

“You have carte blanche to come and go as needed,” I reminded him. Kane was at the top of the short list of visitors that could bypass my ward.

He crossed the bedroom to lay a gentle kiss on my forehead. “Sleep well. When you wake up, I’ll be here.”

“I look forward to it.” I slipped straight into slumber, grateful for the reprieve from conscious thought. My mind needed a rest.

Naturally my brain had other plans.

I knew at a glance this wasn’t going to be the nurturing sleep I’d intended. The desolate landscape was my first clue.

“Do we have to?” I whined, to no one in particular.

My surroundings seemed familiar, yet I couldn’t identify them. I chose a direction and trudged forward, eager to move through the REM stage as quickly as possible and reach a state of deep sleep. I wasn’t in the mood for dreams of any kind, and this one didn’t bode well if the tumbleweed-friendly landscape was anything to go by.

I punted a random rock and sent it flying, kicking up a cloud of dust. I was the goddess of nightmares, for crying out loud. Did I need to be subjected to whatever this was?

A hill came into view. At first glance, I thought it might be the Castle’s hill, until I saw the top. No money pit sat at the top. No cemetery. No beacon of any kind.

I soldiered on.

A feeling of loneliness cracked my bones until they ached, sapping my strength. I was overcome with a strong desire to sit where I stood. The ground beckoned me, as though it was offering me a plush cushion and not a granite surface covered in a thin layer of dirt.

I surveyed the horizon and saw nothing of interest. Nothing to look forward to. My shoulders slackened. I craned my neck to see the path behind me; it was fraught with pain and suffering. I had no inclination to retrace those agonizing steps.

“Hey, girl.”

The unexpected voice startled me. One glance at her head of lustrous brown hair confirmed my suspicion. There stood Aite, the goddess of mischief who’d sacrificed herself to save me. Her familiar tattoos were illuminated by the reddish glow of the light. “Where are we?”

“How should I know? It’s your dream, not mine.” Aite gave the place a cursory glance. “My money’s on Tartarus, though.”

Terrific. My discussion with Kumbhakara had seeped into my subconscious, although I shouldn’t be surprised. In fact, I should be grateful it wasn’t worse. I could be stuck in a loop with him, driving a blade through his heart on repeat until the sun came up.

Tartarus and all its horrors were preferable.

“I’m sorry about your trial,” Aite said. “But at least you won. Yay.” She waved two fists in the air like a cheerleader shaking pompoms .

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“Cool with me. Where should we go?”

“Home. I really need to sleep.”

“Gotta get your Zs before the next trial, right?”

“It would be helpful to show up well rested.” I had no idea what Lucifer had in store for me next, nor was I excited to find out.

Aite batted her long lashes at me. “Do you miss me?”

“Yes,” I admitted. We hadn’t started off on the best of terms, given how she’d tried to feed me to The Corporation to save her own skin, but she more than made up for it later.

“I hope you’re using my money wisely.” She snorted. “What am I saying? I hope you’re being a complete spendthrift.” She clutched my arm. “Please tell me you bought something frivolous, like a glitzy Chanel handbag.”

“I did not buy a luxury handbag with your money. I invested in an upgraded ward.”

She groaned. “You’re so practical. What’s the point of capitalism if you don’t buy things you don’t need?”

Her question coaxed a smile out of me. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

“You could never disappoint me. That’s my specialty.” Her attention drifted to a chain of mountains in the distance. “Tartarus doesn’t seem so bad. Maybe there’s no actual torture taking place here. Could be more of a killing-them-with-boredom-type deal.”

Except I wasn’t bored. My body felt heavy, my feet directionless. I would’ve dropped to the ground and curled into a ball if it hadn’t been for Aite’s presence, an attempt by my subconscious to keep me from burying myself in guilt.

“Listen, don’t beat yourself up, sweetie. You did what you had to do, just like I did.”

“That doesn’t make it acceptable.”

“Maybe that’s why you’re seeing Tartarus, a taste of what’s to come for all your bad deeds.” She rolled her eyes. “Like they could really trap the goddess of the underworld in her own prison.”

“It’s my feelings of guilt.”

“That’s probably why you chose me to accompany you,” Aite said. “You still feel guilty about me, too.”

It was a reasonable assumption. I had no doubt I’d carry Aite’s sacrifice with me for the rest of my life. It made sense that thoughts of the goddess would bubble up now in connection with Kumbhakara’s death.

“You shouldn’t feel guilty. You know I’m not dead dead, right?”

I frowned at her. “What do you mean?”

“I’m a goddess, duh. One dinky arrow isn’t enough to lay me low for eternity. Like Frosty the Snowman, I’ll be back again someday.”

Frosty. I loved to watch that show every year around Christmastime. My grandmother would make a cup of hot cocoa with marshmallows and settle me on the sofa to watch a snowman come to life.

“Did you watch Frosty, too, or am I giving you my memories?” I asked.

She heaved a petulant sigh. “Frosty is iconic. I don’t need your memories to make a pop culture reference.”

I gazed at the mountains in the distance, debating whether that was my intended destination.

“What now?” I asked, but my companion had disappeared.

I was alone again.

I woke up with a start, drenched in sweat. Kane’s arm was draped across my stomach. I ran my hand along the sinewy muscle .

He opened a lazy eye to peer at me. “Good morning. How did you sleep?”

“Good,” I lied.

“Glad to hear it. You need all the rest you can get before the next trial.”

“And Lucifer was kind enough to give me a whole twenty-four hours to work through the trauma of yesterday.”

Kane’s face hardened at the mention of the demon. “Yes. He’s generous like that.”

I repositioned myself on the bed so that Kane and I were nose to nose. “What do you know about Tartarus?”

“Isn’t that your territory?”

“Yes, but I’m curious what your understanding is.”

“It’s a place of punishment for souls unworthy of Elysium. It’s where Sisyphus is doomed to push a boulder uphill only to have it roll down again.” He paused, brow furrowed. “Do you know Sisyphus?”

“If I do, I don’t remember him.” I wasn’t sure I’d stepped foot in Tartarus in Melinoe’s lifetime, although my dream suggested otherwise.

Kane propped himself up on one elbow. Tufts of hair spiked the top of his head. “What sparked the sudden interest in Tartarus?”

“My conversation with Kumbhakara. He wanted me to tell him about the afterlife, what to expect. When I mentioned Tartarus, it got me thinking.”

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Lorelei’s brain, the most dangerous weapon of all.”

I splayed a hand on his bare chest. “I hate what happened to you, what Lucifer did. Then I realized—we do that in my underworld. We dole out endless punishments.”

“To the unworthy.”

“And who’s the arbiter of that?”

“Your parents, I suppose. Hestia now. ”

“And me, if I’m forced to return as queen.” My fingers skimmed the contours of his muscles. “Lucifer believed—still believes—that you deserve to be tortured.”

“On that he is mistaken.”

“That’s my point. What if we’re mistaken in the underworld? What if we’re punishing souls that don’t deserve to be there? They’re dead. Why exact punishment at all?”

Cupping my cheek in his hand, he tilted my face to look at him. “These are deep thoughts for this early in the morning. The sun isn’t even up yet.”

I glanced at the window to see that it was, in fact, still dark. “I think, when this is over, that I should go to Tartarus. See for myself what we do there.”

“I’m glad you said “when” this is over. That’s the fighting spirit I hoped to hear.” His thumb stroked my jawline. “Does this mean you’re considering your aunt’s demand?”

Hestia had given me until summer solstice to return to the underworld to sit on the throne.

“I’m not sure I have a choice. It seems unlikely my parents will turn up at the critical moment.”

“One trial at a time, eh?” His thumb moved to stroke my lower lip. I took it in my mouth and sucked.

Kane released a small groan of pleasure. “Now this is a different kind of torture.”

Rolling on top of him, I pinned his arms to the bed in the shape of a W.

“If you were doling this out in Tartarus, I’d be first in line,” he said with a lascivious grin. “Are you certain you wouldn’t rather rest a bit longer?”

The slant of my mouth on his silenced him.

It was true that pleasure and pain were two sides of the same coin. I’d had my fill of pain yesterday. Right now, I desired only pleasure.

And Kane was the only one who could fulfill that need .

There was no mistaking his desire, hard against my thigh.

“Merciful gods,” he rasped. “You were made to torment me.”

The knots inside me unraveled as I opened myself to him and let the heat of his body consume me. The earth slipped away, leaving us alone in the universe. Two stars colliding in the void, igniting an explosion that rippled through time and space. If this was to be our final tryst, at least I was going out with a big bang.

“I’m glad I met you, Kane Sullivan,” I whispered, curling against him afterward. We slept for two hours before the aroma of bacon roused me from a satisfied slumber.

I left Kane in bed, threw on my T-shirt and shorts, and waltzed downstairs to eat. Nana Pratt stood at the stovetop, removing the skillet from the burner.

“This smells amazing.”

She didn’t look at me. “I’m sure you’re in need of a good meal after yesterday.” She paused. “And your calisthenics afterward.”

I edged closer to her. “Why won’t you look at me?”

Although she turned toward me, she still refused to meet my gaze. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“This. Right now.” I lowered my head and turned it on an awkward angle in an effort to catch her eye. “You’re avoiding me.”

“I am not. I cooked you breakfast.” The ghost retrieved plates from the cupboard. “I suppose you’ll be needing two place settings.”

“Yes, Kane is with me.” I glanced at the coffeepot, which was in the process of brewing. “Do you have a problem with that?”

She sniffed. “It’s your house. What you do under your roof is your business. I only wish I didn’t have to listen to it at all hours. ”

A crazed laugh escaped me. “All hours? Listen, I was fried until this morning. It’s incredible he got any action at all.”

Her nose scrunched. “You shouldn’t talk like that. It’s crude.”

Ray materialized on the other side of the island. “I think what Ingrid is trying to convey is that she’s uncomfortable with the obviousness of your sexual relations.”

I laughed again. “I’m an adult woman with adult needs, and I’m in a healthy, loving relationship. I fail to see the problem.”

“What can I say? I’m old-fashioned.” Nana Pratt used a spatula to slide the bacon onto the plates.

“No one’s forcing you to listen. You can roam far enough away so as not to hear anything.”

She whirled to face me. “I’m sure they could hear the two of you all the way in New York City! I didn’t die so that I could haunt a brothel.”

Ray sighed. “Ingrid, I think you might be overstating the situation slightly.”

The ghost swung her indignant gaze in his direction. “Are you accusing a woman of being dramatic? Why, you must be a man.”

I didn’t want the situation to escalate. I had enough on my plate at the moment, not to mention that I was hungry and the bacon on my actual plate was getting cold.

“I respect that you and I have different attitudes toward sex. That being said, I don’t need anyone to shame me, especially not in my own home. If you have an issue with how I conduct my personal life, you’re under no obligation to stay.”

Nana Pratt’s eyes started to water, or at least they gave the appearance of waterworks. Like big girls, the dead don’t cry.

“Uh-oh,” Ray said.

I put my arms around her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. ”

“Yes, you did,” she sniveled.

“Well, I meant part of it,” I admitted. “Thank you for breakfast. I appreciate everything you do.”

“Except shaming you,” Ray tacked on.

I glared at him. “Not helpful, Ray.” I released Nana Pratt. “Everyone’s feeling the heat this week, I think. Lucifer has turned up the fires of hell to burn us where we stand.”

“I don’t care for any of this,” she sniffed.

“I’m not a fan either, but we’ll get through this, just like we always do.”

“What if you die during one of these trials? It’s courageous that you want to save Kane, but what happens to us if you don’t succeed? You’re so focused on Kane’s survival, you’ve forgotten that we’re dependent on you for ours.”

A sigh eased out of me. “I haven’t forgotten. Not for one second.” I crunched a slice of bacon.

“Isn’t there a way out of this bargain?” Nana Pratt asked. “Lucifer isn’t honorable. Why trust him to make good on his word?”

“Because we have more than his word. We have an agreement signed in his blood.”

Kane appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. “Let’s not speak of blood over breakfast.”

I carried our plates to the table. “But it’s Lucifer’s blood.”

“In that case, carry on. The more of that spilled, the better.”

We sat at the table, and I attacked my food with vigor. Even Kane seemed less genteel than usual; I caught him licking his fingers after finishing his bacon. No surprise that sex seemed to bring out his primal side.

My phone bounced on the table as it vibrated. Hailey’s name lit up the screen. “I need to answer this.”

“Now?” He looked at the screen. “Isn’t that the librarian?”

“Yes. ”

“How serious can a library emergency be?”

“I asked a favor of her, and this might be related.” I clicked the screen. “Hey, Hailey.” I heard a rush of air in response.

“I’m so glad you answered. I have two women shooting laser beams out of their eyeballs at me because there are no available copies of the new E.L. James book.”

“A true tragedy.”

“The good news is I have something for you. Can you swing by the library today?”

“Absolutely. Does ten minutes work for you?”

“Make it five and I’ll throw in a lollipop from the bank. These ladies look ready to rumble.”

“See you soon.” I tucked away the phone and noticed Kane staring at me with an incredulous expression. “What?”

“You’re acting as though this is just another day.”

“It is just another day. Until tomorrow, and then that will be just another day.”

Kane set down his fork and looked at me. “Lorelei, these next two trials are serious.”

“I’m well aware. Survived the first one, remember?”

“And you should be preparing for the next two, not gallivanting off to the librarian to help some poor soul who didn’t ask for it.”

“Goran can’t do this for himself. He’d scare the daylights out of Hailey if he turned up at the library in his current form.” The former Slavic prince had been cursed to live the rest of his life as a bulbous-eyed water spirit.

“When will you stop thinking about everyone else and start considering yourself?”

His words snapped like a rubber band. “Would you have preferred that I not think of you when I said yes to the trials?”

“Of course! I believe I made that abundantly clear at the time. ”

I studied him closely. “You’re angry with me,” I said in a quiet voice.

Kane opened his mouth to respond and then shut it again. “I suppose I am.”

I didn’t want to leave in the middle of an important conversation, but I’d told Hailey I’d be at the library in ten minutes. “I want to talk about this. Will you wait here until I get back from the library? I won’t be long.”

“Unless you pass a stranger on the street who needs help. Then I suppose you’ll be another hour.”

I gaped at him.

“He’s having a hard time,” Ray said. “Give him space to calm down.”

“We’ll take care of him while you’re gone,” Nana Pratt offered. “He likes peppermint tea, if I remember correctly. I’ll fix him a cup.”

“Thank you,” I told the ghosts. I left the house without another word to Kane.

I ranted at Gary during the drive to the library. The pickup truck was the best kind of listener. No judgment. Just a solid object on which to unload my torrent of emotions.

“Can you believe him? I just risked my life for that demon, and he has the nerve to act like I’m some sort of suicidal Good Samaritan.” My fingers tightened around the steering wheel. “I don’t run around looking for problems to solve. The universe dumps them at my feet like I’m the cleanup crew for supernatural sticky situations.”

The truck’s engine rattled, and I patted the dashboard. “Hang in there, Gary. You’re doing a great job.”

I realized with a start those were the kinds of words I wished Kane had said to me. Although I knew Kane’s comments came from a place of love, they still stung like hell.

Hell.

This was exactly what we said would happen between trials. Lucifer laid down the field of shit and we’d willingly stepped right in it. I shook my head, annoyed with myself for falling victim to his plan, especially when I knew better. I’d apologize to Kane the second I could.

The library was relatively quiet. No small children. No line of ladies brandishing their canes in anger over the absence of their favorite new releases. I found Hailey in her office with her forehead pressed against the desk. I knocked on the open door, causing Hailey’s head to jerk upright.

“Ouch.” She rubbed her neck. “Looks like I have a date with the heating pad tonight.”

“Sorry about that.” I planted myself in the chair in front of the desk. “What do you have for me?”

She slid a sheet of paper across the desk to me. “You’d be surprised how good kids can be at research when they’re interested in the topic.”

I reviewed the printout. “The Zorya.”

“You said bonus points for Slavic, right? I found a short paragraph in one book that referenced them, so I tried to tug that thread.”

I read the page while she explained her process. Three goddesses that act as guardians of the universe. Shocker. Poor number four. Always the bridesmaid, never the bride.

Morning Star. Evening Star. Midnight. According to myth, they kept watch over the dog constellation Sirius who was chained to the little bear known as Ursa Minor, because if the chain broke, it meant the end of the world was nigh.

Were the goddesses still around and, if so, were they free agents or members of The Corporation?

“I’m sorry I didn’t find more than that, but the kids were fascinated by them. They even drew pictures.” She held up a half dozen pictures, which were drawn in a colorful array of crayons. “And Bella Beaufort is very confident that if the prince wishes upon the Zorya’s stars, that his wish will come true.”

“How old is Bella?”

“Five.”

I nodded. “I like the way she thinks.” It wasn’t a slam dunk by any means, but it was surprisingly promising. “This is great stuff, Hailey. Thank you.”

“No, thank you . We had a blast. I had fun. The kids were engaged. It was a win-win.”

My mind flicked to Kane, currently awaiting my return to the Castle. “I’m glad to hear it. If you stumble across anything else, would you let me know?”

“Always. One of the highlights of my day.” She shook a picture at me. “I’ve got to say these are another one. There’s something about bright colors, you know?” Her eyes popped. “Speaking of which…” She held up two lollipops. “Which color do you want?”

“I wasn’t here fast enough.”

Hailey gave me a stern look. “Take one off my hands, please. I’ve already eaten two today.”

I chose the purple one.

I sped back to the Castle and strode into the foyer, waving the sheet of paper in the air. After the events of yesterday, it felt fantastic to be holding a sliver of hope in my hand.

“This might be the answer to Goran’s prayers,” I announced.

Ray snatched the sheet from my fingertips. “I’ll be the judge of that.”

“It’s all right, Ray. You’re still my Director of Research.”

“You’ve been busy with other tasks,” Nana Pratt chimed in.

Ray mulled over the page. “I haven’t come across any mention of these goddesses.” He returned the paper to me. “Hailey does excellent work.”

I didn’t have the heart to tell him about the children’s involvement. “I’m grateful for both of you, and Goran will be, too.” Once I was able to put the new plan in motion.

“Kane’s brooding in the parlor,” Nana Pratt said in a hushed tone. “He drank his tea, though. I think he’s feeling better.”

“Claude’s been keeping him company,” Ray added.

Bless Claude. The revenant knew how to read a room.

I tiptoed into the parlor. Sure enough, Kane was seated on the sofa with Claude perched on his shoulder. The bony fingers jolted when I slid on the cushion beside them.

“Hey,” I said.

Kane immediately clasped my hand. “I’m glad you’re back.”

“Told you I wouldn’t be long.” I dug into my purse. “I brought you something.” I held up a lollipop. “I know the purple ones are your favorite.”

He accepted the treat with a begrudging smile. “They are.”

“Can we talk?” I glanced at Claude. “In private.”

The revenant scrambled down from Kane’s shoulder and ran out of the room. I twisted to see the ghosts hovering in the doorway. “In private,” I repeated.

Two forms dissipated.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“No, I’m sorry I lashed out,” Kane said. “I know why you agreed to the trials and it’s ridiculous to punish you for it.”

I inched closer to him. “It’s more than that, though. I feel like you blame me for Birdie’s death.”

“You?” He blinked. “No, Lorelei. Not in the slightest. I have only myself to blame. Lucifer’s vendetta is against me, and he’s hurting those I care about as a way of twisting the knife. ”

“Which is why you’re so upset with me about the trials.”

Kane rubbed his face. “I’m sure that’s part of it, yes.”

I understood. He lost someone important to him; the last thing he wanted was to lose me right on Birdie’s heels. All because he tried to bring hope to a world where none existed.

I gave voice to my thoughts. “No good deed goes unpunished.”

Bitterness lifted the corners of his mouth. “Apparently.”

I engulfed him in a warm hug. “I’m sorry.”

He squeezed my torso. “You have nothing to apologize for. Your compassion is one of the reasons I fell in love with you. It isn’t fair to hold it against you now.”

I pecked his cheek. “I’m glad to hear it because I’m going to see Goran before we’re due to meet Lucifer.” If I didn’t make it back from the second trial, I wanted the cursed prince to have the information he needed.

Kane offered a rueful smile. “I’ll swing by the club to check in and meet you at the crossroads later.”

“Deal,” I said, and pressed my lips to his to seal it.