Sin of the Saints (Between Delusion and Sobriety Duet #2)

Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

Bellcolor

A knock at the door. My hair stands on end.

I have no idea what happened to Valentina from the moment she left my room. Did she manage to get away? Did she find Bar? And if Bar’s gone, did she find Ellis? Did she even manage to infiltrate the holiest of holies? Did they believe her when she told them I was willing to turn myself in, or did they place an unbearable punishment upon her for the mere fact of her presence there? And if she managed to get away, what would happen to me? Libretto saw the camera footage of her in my room just before her escape. He must know I’m responsible.

Sooner or later I’ll have to pay for it.

I let out the air trapped in my lungs as I recognize Adina, the Council assistant, peeking into my room without really looking at me.

“The head of the Council invites you to a private dinner. Be ready at midnight. I’ll come pick you up.” She doesn’t wait for my answer, closing the door behind her and scurrying away.

A private dinner. Meaning just me and Ashmedai.

Me and my nightmare.

When Adina returns to my room, her head bowed as she refuses to look at me, I prepare for my last night in the realm of Man. But if this is the end for me, I have every intention of leaving my way, with my most lethal ‘go fuck yourself’ look. The real me – a long, red, collared backless dress, slit on the right side up to my pelvic bone, high heels courtesy of Louis Vuitton, hair loose, smoky black makeup and lips smeared burning red.

Adina opens my door wide so I can pass through with my black wings, and I hear the gasps of the two guards posted to my room. They’re wearing black, well-armed, probably well-trained too. Their weapons are useless, but I have no doubt that their fighting skills would ground me so long as this collar stays around my neck. It’s one reason I’m walking straight into the inferno without a fight. My fight isn’t with them, it’s with the one waiting for me.

I follow Adina down the long corridor. It’s empty, probably by Libretto’s command. He’s smart. He doesn’t want any of his troops to fall under my influence. Adina stops by a pair of double doors, not where I thought the supposed dinner would take place. She opens them and waits for me to enter.

I hesitate for a split-second, Lilith’s warning undermining my confidence, and a sense of foreboding blooms within me. I hold my head high and walk into Libretto’s bedroom.

Libretto turns to greet me, and as soon as his eyes fall upon me the crystal glass slips from his hand and shatters on the ground.

“Lilith,” he blurts out in a lewd groan.

“Ashmedai,” I purr, slinking my way towards him.

His body is frozen, his mouth hanging open, and he can’t make a sound even though I can see he wants to. Very much. Despite the rot and stench surrounding him, I lean in and whisper into his ear: “Won’t you offer me a drink?” I manage to get a whine out of him, the sound almost pitiful. I smile, pull back and stand tall. “No? I guess I’ll have to do help myself.” I stride to the round table, where a jug stands filled with crimson liquid and wine glasses. I pour the blood into the two glasses and hold one out to Libretto, who takes it from me with a trembling hand. I clink our glasses together and turn to sit in a chair I’ve pulled up in front of me. I cross my legs and Libretto chokes out another groan as my right leg is completely exposed, and the black lace panties I’m wearing peek out through the long slit.

I bring the glass to my parted lips. Libretto’s eyes can barely tare themselves away from my exposed skin to my mouth. I tilt the glass and just as the liquid almost touches my lips, I put it back down.

“You remember the time we took opium together?” I ask, examining his reaction. The disappointment following his expectation that I would drink is erased in an instant, and a nostalgic smile appears on his face.

“It took draining the entire London market before we could feel something,” he chuckles.

“But when we did… it was real, wasn’t it?”

“The most real thing I’ve ever felt.” His pupils are so narrow his eyes seem completely white.

“Yes,” I answer, bringing the cup to my lips again. My lips touch the rim of the glass, and a satisfied smile rises on Libretto’s lips.

“Would you like to feel that way again… with me?” he asks, his eyes like that of a wounded puppy. The glass halts before I drink from it, and again he lets out a disappointed moan.

Looking at him this way is unfair. A conflict of wills awakens within me, the desire to shield him and also render him into ash.

“You speak of feeling free, Ashmedai. A feeling I can’t have while I’m locked up in my room like a prisoner. And with this thing on top of that…” I indicate the collar around my neck.

“You force me to take necessary measures.” The vein in his neck swells, and his jaw muscles tighten.

“You don’t trust me,” I purr, straightening my right leg. His pupils widen and shrink as his gaze fixates on my exposed leg.

“I can’t afford to make mistakes, Lilith. Not with you.”

“I wonder…” I reach for the collar and tap the bell with my elongated talon.

Ring.

I twitch in place and notice Libretto responding the same way.

“Don’t do that.”

“Do what? This?” I tap the bell again and we both gasp in pain.

“Lilith…” His voice carries a warning tone, and I chuckle in contempt.

“Why did you put it on me if you yourself can’t bear it? It wasn’t there in the past.”

“Back then you didn’t have such a stubborn girl at your side.” His voice turns hard, displeased.

“Ahh, yes.” I smile darkly. “Those previous times they were lovestruck girls, so enchanted by you until you betrayed them. Betrayed us.”

“They were all so charmed. You were charmed by me as well, don’t forget.” Yes… but not for the reason you think.

“Tell me, Ashmedai, what do you want from me? Even you can’t control yourself when you taste my blood. Our end is predetermined. You’ll tear me apart before you can put your plan into motion. Again and again and again.” I caress the rim of the glass in circular motions.

“Not this time, Lilith. This time, with your new abilities, your body can withstand it.”

“I actually think the blessing is His , it’s not just the Devil who expects me to banish you,” I answer, bringing the glass to my lips again. His eyes follow my movements and his body tenses up with anticipation.

He chuckles when I again pause before taking a sip. “And since when do you do what the Beast expects of you? After everything he did to you? After he betrayed you so? I would never betray you that way.” I shrug and it annoys him, even infuriates him. “Shall I remind you that you refused to give him, to give both of them, your heart?”

“Just as I refuse you now.” And forever.

“And don’t forget what happened the last time you did that!” His fists tighten with rage and the veins in his hands swell up.

I let out a laughing snort. “That’s the inclination towards vengeance speaking with your throat. You’re no different from them in that respect.”

“They don’t deserve your love! I do!” His face is pleading, and for some reason that surprises me.

“You don’t know what love is.”

In response he takes quick strides towards me. The strength of his fury pins me to the chair, and I choke back a whine as my wings are crushed against the back of the chair.

“I love you, Lilith. When, when will you understand that and give yourself over to me? You refuse to realize your only purpose, the one you insisted on receiving, and now you renounce it! But if we realize it together, the power will be ours. If it’s love you seek, if you believe it will redeem you, I offer it to you!” His eyes flare and his nostrils expand.

“A heart as empty as yours wouldn’t recognize love even if it struck you across the face. You seek only power, and it blinds you. And my stubbornness, my pride, is what destroyed me!”

He approaches me and presses his face to mine. “And what does that say about your heart, Lilith, if you have always refused to offer it, as you claim?” My mouth opens to reply, but a heavy lump blocks my throat. He’s right… My face falls and he laughs thunderously. “Just as I thought, you’re no better than me. Don’t presume to lecture me. You incarnate into this world just for me. For my love. You’re mine, Lilith, you always were and always shall be.” His brow rises in his arrogance.

“No, Libretto, it’s you who belongs to me. Blood of my blood, and so I have no choice but to free you from your curse.”