My fingers drum over the dark wood of their own accord. “There’s a rogue Nephilim loose in the city,” I murmur. “Perhaps more than one.”
“More than one? I doubt it. You know how dangerous it is to create them,” Willem says.
“Not to mention illegal.” I narrow my eyes at the windows over the city. “Let’s go down to the city guard, find out what we can.”
Willem doesn’t disagree. He straightens and flashes me an animalistic grin. It’s been years since Willem and I were on the hunt for a dangerous creature or violent outcast, and I feel the anticipation like a dose of energy in my veins. Normally, a murder would be left in the hands of the city guards, but a soul-leeching is too serious a crime for me to not get involved. Everyone in this world and the Lands of Light suffer two deaths. The first, the physical death, is the event that sends them into my realm on the wings of my Reapers. But the second, is far more rare, and deeply more serious. A Nephilim can eat a soul, killing one permanently. It’s strictly forbidden and all Nephilims are cataloged in detail. Only a rogue would risk something like this.
As I’m gathering my papers to shuffle them away, I hear a light knock on the heavy door. I glance up, feeling a flash of irritation at being disturbed. “What is it?” I demand as the door creaks open.
Ivory, delicate hands curl around the door and I smell her immediately. Her sweet scent, like spring flowers and light rain, fills the room and its tantalizing. Briar pokes her head around the door, her black hair pinned up messily as if she attempted it herself. I follow her gaze as it travels over the cramped office. She takes in the high ceilings with dark wood paneling, the gray walls, covered in stocky bookcases, the arched, thin windows that let only the smallest streams of orange light from outside into my office when the dark, brocade curtains aren’t closed. Finally, her gaze rests on me, black and inky.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, I was told you would be in your…office,” she hesitates before the last word, as if she’s unsure of what to call the chamber. She cocks a brow. “I didn’t know you wore glasses.”
I pluck the glasses from my face and fold them slowly, purposefully. Willem steps into the light, making her heart skip a beat and I feel a sharp, burning sensation in my chest. I ignore it. “Good morning, Briar,” Willem purrs. “Sleep well?”
She shrinks back behind the door an inch. “I did.”
“Another lie,” I say softly. I look up, meeting her gaze. “You slept fitfully on the floor of your rooms, dreaming of hands tearing you apart.”
Her eyes widen with surprise and a tendril of fear. She chews over her next words, as if she isn’t sure she’ll let them free or not. I can see her decision in her eyes when they go hard, filled with resolve. “I thought you and I might spend some time together,” she finally says.
I smile, leaning against my desk and crossing my arms over my chest. Her gaze flits over my figure and I see her throat bob. It only makes my smile widen. Destroying her will be such a pleasure. “I can’t,” I quip. “Other matters need my attention. For example, the chefs want to know if I want pork or chicken for dinner tonight.”
“I see.” Her face reddens slightly.
“Run along, Briar,” I say, smiling cruelly. “I’m sure there will be simple activities somewhere in the castle for you to enjoy.”
“Actually,” Willem cuts in, his vibrant eyes lingering on Briar too long for my liking. “Let me take care of the urgent matters, Kane. Go with Briar, and I’ll be sure to let the kitchens know you want pork.” I narrow my eyes at him, but he flashes me a grin. “Go ahead, your lovely bride wants to be in your company.”
“Thank you,” Briar says, sounding surprised, as she stares at Willem.
He dips his chin at her as he throws himself in my velvet chair, propping his feet on my desk. I inhale sharply, anger flaring, but I hold it back. Whatever game, Willem is playing at, he’ll cut it short tonight when we speak again. I pull the door farther open, exposing Briar fully. When I see her light, gauzy dress, I usher her through and slam the door shut on Willem’s gleeful laugh. Briar doesn’t stumble at the sudden move, catching herself gracefully. Her dress is white, adorned with simple, embroidered flowers, and is light enough that she won’t get overheated. I tug on my own collar as a blast of hot wind courses through the hall. Soon, I’ll have to reinforce the magical wards that protect my castle from the Underworld’s weather.
Briar bites her lip, her hands hidden behind her, but I know she’s wringing them together out of sight. I sigh and cross my arms. “What is it you had planned?” I ask, sounding bored.
“I thought you might show me some of your world,” she says softly. She looks at me through thick lashes and I feel a wave of urgent desire. I cross my arms tighter. “If I’m going to be a part of it, I want to know it.”
I feel an odd tickle in my chest, and I know if I weren’t so distrustful of mortals, her words would please me. But all mortals are liars. “Follow me,” I growl, striding ahead of her.
She hurries to keep up with my long strides, but I don’t feel any guilt for making her run along behind me. I told her father I would break her, and I will. But it will be slow at first, little things here and there to make her suffer. And then reprieve, to make her crawl back into my arms only to be thrust away again. I grin to myself, feeling the shadows swirling around
