Page 9 of Hell Burns Between Us

“More than the bare minimum!”

“She’d have me rolling around in the mud!” Oleander barked out a laugh. “I mean honestly, why do you even care?”

Brennessel Croft wasn’t easily cowed. She continued to glare at him in stony silence. Well, he’d grown up with a terrifying older sister. It’d take more than a mean look to scare him into obedience. Maybe if he insulted Wilder some more, Croft would lose it completely and storm off in a rage. He was doing much more than he’d done for any other assignment; Croft should be a bit more appreciative of his efforts.

She exhaled a long breath. “Look, I—I think Peri believes this is her last chance to make a name for herself in the academic world… to be known for creating a revolutionary potion.”

“Not my problem.” He played with the rings on his fingers, turning them one after another.

“She’s not,” Croft looked away, gathering her thoughts. “I know she’s probably insufferable to work with right now. But she’s not herself. This is her panicked and in desperate need of working herself out.”

“You’re awfully forgiving of somebody who doesn’t deserve it.” Oleander tried to stop fidgeting with his rings.

She sighed, quiet for a moment. “Anyone with a family like hers would struggle, I think.” Her gaze narrowed. “But, I know the real Peri is still in there. And as long as I can help her, I will. So, I’m not asking you, I’m telling you—” She jabbed a finger at him. “Get your shit together. You and I both know you’re doing far less than the bare minimum.”

“What makes you think you can order me around?” He’d pointedly been examining his nails, but his nerves got the better of him and his gaze rose to meet hers.

Croft’s eyes sparkled, and for a fleeting moment he regretted arguing with her.

She said, “Do you remember the lunar party near the Lake of Fire, when dozens of ghouls suddenly leapt out, broke through the protective barrier, and maimed hundreds of demonkind?”

“Where Renki botched the bargain and put everyone in danger?” he replied with a roll of his eyes.

“Oh, Brightmore. You and I both know it wasn’t Renki who botched that bargain.”

Oleander grew still. “I didn’t take you as someone who made threats.”

Her sharp and knowing laughter made him cross his arms over his chest defensively.

“In case we’re still unclear,” she said. “When you go low, as you unfailingly do, I’m already digging beneath you.”

Chapter

Four

PERINE WILDER

Peri had fed her family a few carefully curated lies as they bustled about preparing for the ceremony. As expected, they’d been too distracted to question her story, simply accepting that she was terribly ill and would join them later if she was able. Once their attention drifted, she’d snuck out her bedroom window and swung herself onto Zila’s back, relief flooding through her as her plan seemed to be unfolding perfectly. Snowflakes pelted her cheeks like icy daggers as the pair of them spiralled ever downward to the lowest Circle of Hell.

Like every other Circle in Hell, the Rune Circle had its own unique landscape. The trees here were gargantuan when compared to everywhere else—brightly coloured and insanely thick, reaching so high their tops tickled the clouds. Brightmore Manor, where the Ascension Ceremony was held, twisted in and around the most ominous of the towering trees, as though the ancient giant had grown through the manor itself.

Peri paused at the edge of the clearing and studied the manor’s grand structure, looking for the path she’d mapped out through the high branches and odd rooms jutting from the trunk. Warm light shone from vast windows—likely the many ballrooms where demonkind would be gathered in a crowded frenzy.

Zila broke through Peri’s nervous planning. “My mother always told me to stay far away from the Ascension ceremony.”

“Yes, well I’m not exactly thrilled to be doing this either,” Peri reminded her. “I’m sure your mother would understand.”

Zila gave an audible snort. “Hellcats are rarely understanding.”

“It doesn’t look dangerous,” Peri mused, her breath a white cloud in the frigid air.

“Oh, well if you can’t see the danger,” Zila said dryly. “I’m sure there is none.”

As they neared a looming crimson pavilion off to the side of Brightmore manor, the hair on the back of Peri’s neck stood on end. She pushed her trepidation aside, unwilling to let her nerves get the better of her. “Is there a reason everyone fears it?”

Zila paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “I don’t need an official warning to know this place feels wrong.”

“It does feel strange here,” Peri admitted, an almost suffocating sense of unease winding around her. “I’ve always been too distracted to notice that before, I guess.”