“That’s better,” he purrs. All I can do is blink. “Now, I’m assuming you don’t want to die. Imagine an eternity of torture at the hands of someone like Willem.”
My body shudders with fear despite Aiden’s powers. I haven’t forgotten how easily he tossed me across the room, or how quick he was to dominate me.
"Keep that in mind, while you listen to my proposition. I'm going to release you now, don't scream, understand? Or I tell Kane and Willem everything I know," Aiden warns as his grip around my neck relaxes.
Slowly, feeling returns to my limbs. Aiden releases me, and I collapse to the dirty floor. I scramble back against the wall, breathing hard. My eyes are wide and locked on the minor God. He crouches in front of me, forearms propped on his knees. My dagger dangles lazily in his hand – I’m no threat to him. And he knows it. I swallow hard.
“I won’t tell anyone about this little murderous blunder of yours, how does that sound?” Aiden asks brightly.
“What do you want?” My voice is nothing more than a whisper.
"Smart girl." He pats my head and I flinch. My reaction doesn't bother him. "I won't tell anyone if you promise to do everything I say. Everything."
My heart falters and my mind swirls with images of painful, unwanted things Aiden could demand from me. Without thinking, I shake my head fervently. “Not everything.”
“Everything,” he growls, pointing at me with the dagger. “Or Kane finds out.”
“But why?” I ask. I can’t help the tremble of fear lilting my voice even though I wish I sounded fearless. “What could I possibly do for you?”
“Oh, I don’t know yet. That’s part of the fun.” Aiden smiles. “You’ll be like my little pet. I’ll treat you well of course. It will be our secret.”
I run my tongue over my lips nervously, and Aiden's eyes track the movement, but he merely grins. I consider his offer. If I don't accept, Kane will know that I was planning on betraying him for years. He'll be hurt. He'll be furious. He'll hate me. "Alright," I whisper, regret sweeping through me like a flood the instant the word leaves my lips.
“Excellent,” Aiden says softly. He rises and extends a hand towards me. “Come on.”
My gut twists as I take his hand and push myself to my feet. I brush my hair behind my ear, wishing I could hide it beneath a hat and cover my face in dirt and grime. I just want to hide away. "Can I have my dagger back?" I ask quietly as the grandfather clock ticks on.
“I don’t think so, Pet.” He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t want you coming after me in my sleep, now would I?”
I don’t bother arguing and try to sidle around him. “Goodnight.”
Aiden tuts and grabs my elbow, stopping me in my tracks. “Spin around.”
“Spin?” My brows furrow in confusion.
“Yes, spin,” Aiden says again, more demandingly this time. “Or I wake a very grumpy Death.”
I feel sick as I realize this too is a product of my agreement with him. I have no choice. I turn stiffly in a slow circle, teeth clenched. My eyes flit towards Kane's door. A part of me wishes he would wake up and force Aiden to stop humiliating me. But he wouldn't, when he finds out what I've done. And perhaps this is what he would sentence me to in the next life – eternal humiliation from his two-faced brother. I thought Aiden was nice. I thought he seemed grounded for a God. But I was wrong. He's just as pig-headed and cruel as the rest of them. Maybe even worse.
"Very good," Aiden hums, lounging against the wall. "That's all for tonight, though. You may go to sleep now."
I clamp my mouth shut, refusing to thank him even when it’s my first instinct. Aiden narrows his eyes at me, as if he can read my thoughts. He’s quiet though, his eyes boring into me as I cross the hall to my own room. I can feel his gaze on my back, like sewing needles pricking the space between my shoulder blades. Hand on the doorknob, I glance back at him. He hasn’t moved, still leaning against the wall, looking relaxed with his arms folded over his chest. Without hesitating, I close the door on him and lock it swiftly.
I wait beside the door, listening for sounds of movement outside. A few seconds pass until I hear his footsteps recede down the hall to the room he's sharing with Willem. I don't move for another minute or two, waiting to see if he's returning. When I don't hear anything more, I lunge at the rickety dresser. Grunting, I push it towards the door. The dresser scrapes across the floor, screeching, but I don't stop or slow to move more quietly. In a few seconds, the door is blocked by heavy furniture. I grab the only other free piece of furniture besides the bed in the room – a small nightstand – and place it on top of the dresser as if that will help.
Once I'm satisfied, I stand in the middle of the room, the door in front of me and window to my back, staring. My chest heaves with adrenaline and fear. Every sense feels ten times more sensitive than before, and I strain to hear more noise from the hall or adjacent rooms. But the night is quiet. I don't move from my position of vigil until the sun breaks across the horizon. Only then do I sink down to the floor and lean against the foot of the bed, wishing I could cry. But I can't seem to.
Chapter 7
Kane
“Aye,” the man says, stroking his ratted beard. “I seen a man like that.”
My brows raise in surprise. The first mortals we spoke to were adamant that they hadn't seen any strangers lately – besides us. But
