Page 52 of Samhain Savior

I frowned, wondering where that uncharitable thought had come from.

“Where did she say it was?” I asked, trying to shake off the anger that itched inside me. I just wanted to get what we needed and leave. I was tired of looking at Persephone and her stupidly pretty face.

“She didn’t.” Archer’s tone was decidedly unhappy. “She claims that Nathaniel never told her the exact location, only that it was at the top. I suppose the rest is up to us.”

I hummed, running my fingers along the wooden walls as I circled the perimeter of the room—or tried to. I hadn’t gotten very far before the leash reached its limit.

“You know, we’d get a lot more done if you’d just trust me a little,” I quipped, holding back an angry sneer at Archer’s incredulous eyebrow raise. “I think I’ve more than proven I’m not the person you thought I was when we first met.” He continued to stare at me, and I felt my stomach swoop under his scrutiny. Why was his broody stare so damned sexy? Was I that damaged and lonely, that even the disgruntled regard of an angry, murderous demon had me feeling all sorts of inappropriate things?

Probably.

Shit.

“I promise I won’t run away,” I insisted in an attempt to get him to believe me, then added, “It’s not like I have anywhere to go, anyway.”

He frowned at that, but said nothing, only stared at me as though he was trying to see into my soul and read my intentions.

Whatever he saw there must have been enough, because with a small gesture, he waved away my leash and I watched as the dark shadow tethering me to him faded away on the afternoon breeze.

The collar, however, remained.

Fine. We would compromise. For now, anyway.

Returning to my investigation of the steeple room, I inspected every surface I could find, looking for Runes or inscriptions, secret compartments or even a loose floorboard. Something that might indicate we were looking in the right place.

But there was nothing.

Archer was pacing on the other side of the room, the heels of his fancy shoes clacking against the wood floor in a steady beat.

“What are we missing?” he asked, mostly to himself, but I couldn’t help but answer.

“What about the compass? Can we use that again?”

“Mal said that it wasn’t responding. He’s not saying why, but I don’t want to cause him any more stress than necessary. The compass is very dear to him; I’ll not risk it on a gamble.”

I nodded, unsure of what he meant, but let it go, knowing that if I wanted answers, it would be more respectful of me to get them straight from Mal. If he wanted me to know, he’d tell me himself.

“What did Persephone say, exactly?” I’d felt like I was intruding as they worked to persuade Percy to give up the location of the relic, so I’d stood by Mal and Corson, not wanting to eavesdrop.

Now I wished I had.

“She said her uncle told her the Key was hidden in plain sight at the top of the steeple. We’re here, damn it,” he roared, throwing his arms wide, shadows spilling out from his hands like ghostly black rivers. “So where the fuck is it?”

He turned his back to me, fingers curled against the boards as he gazed out the window, and I sighed.

I could find it; I knew I could. The incessant tug I was feeling inside me proved I could do it.

And if I could find it…perhaps I could keep it for myself.

The thought surprised me as much as it pleased me. Yes, that was exactly what I wanted. The relic could be mine. Itwas powerful, they said. More powerful than any magical item I’d ever seen. If I could take it, perhaps it could help me unlock my own powers. If I had that relic, no one would ever bind me again.

Closing my eyes, I focused inward, seeking out that buzzing sensation in my chest once more. This time, it was more than a spark; it felt like a burning ember, the heat of it filling my lungs and squeezing against my ribs.

Up.

The thought struck out of nowhere, filling my mind with a certainty that was astonishing.

Up. Come up and get me. I’m yours! Up. Go up!