Page 13 of Crimson Soul
King Zelek rolled his eyes. “You are not permitted access to Heaven, and if you somehow did find an angel who would do something stupid enough like teleport you there, they will be killed along with you.”
The vampires blanched, but a fiery vortex whirled inside me. How dare he?
Lilith wasn’t his call. Lilith was her own person who should’ve been able to dictate her own wants and needs. Her bastard of a father had never taken her free will away like this before. He had to be up to something with Queen Astral and Gabriel, and it couldn’t be good.
The steady flames dancing on my skin blazed. “If you think for a fucking second that we won’t try to get to her—”
“You won’t.”
“And what makes you so sure?” Blaise snubbed his nose at him.
King...fuck that title...Zelek smirked. “Because I can let you see her for yourself.”
My gaze narrowed. There had to be a fucking catch. There always was. He wouldn’t let us see her without gaining something in return. As much as I fucking wanted to see my beloved, I wouldn’t dare make a deal with a demon like him. He could show a magical image, not really of her, just to manipulate us.
“Okay,” Kai answered without a beat of hesitation.
“We want to see her,” Thaddeus said.
“But what’s in it for you?” Blaise arched an eyebrow.
That fucking smirk grew as he got to his feet and walked closer toward us, stepping over the spot I spat on like I didn’t get to him. “Nothing much. Peace of mind, if you will. Lilith needs to be learning how to control her angel powers. All I need you to do is join me in a blood oath.”
There it fucking was.
“No way in hell,” I growled.
“We are in Hell, Aziel.” He clasped his hands as he focused on Thaddeus, Blaise, and Kai. “What about you three?”
The small amount of color they did have drained from their faces.
“A blood oath?” Thaddeus rubbed his chin, glancing at me.
I shook my head, and Titan mouthed, no. At least he had a fucking brain.
“To see Lilith?” Kai’s voice was hopeful, and while I fucking understood wanting to talk to her, this wasn’t the way to do it.
“What would the conditions be?” Blaise asked.
“I’m glad you asked. It’s simple.” He tilted his head, and the crown slipped sideways a bit. “All I want is for you to remain in Hell for an entire month. That way you’ll physically and spiritually not be able to get to Lilith. In turn, I’ll let you see her.”
That was so fucking counterproductive. I’d find a way to see her without being bound to Hell for an entire month.
“How would we see her?” Thaddeus shifted on his feet.
“Magic, of course.”
“I don’t like the idea of a blood oath,” Blaise said.
I bit my tongue, and metallic coated my mouth as my teeth sunk in. Manipulative fuck.
Blaise met my gaze, and I could see the obvious distrust for Zelek, but I could also see the desperation to talk to Lilith. I wanted to see my beloved more than anything, but if it meant leaving her in Heaven with Gabriel, I’d wait to see her until I had her in my arms.
My chest throbbed. I’m failing her as not only a lover but as her guard.
“But if you don’t wish to see her…” Zelek shrugged.
“Wait,” Kai said. “We want to see her.”
