Page 142 of Hell Burns Between Us

Laurel squeezed her hands once before releasing them, her gaze moving between the two of them as if piecing something together. After a long beat, she smiled affectionately. “Alright, well… I’ve brought you the behemoth but you don’t need her quite yet. I believe you have some distractions planned?”

“They were supposed to be a secret—” Peri began nervously.

“They still are, it’s only there’s not much that can be kept secret from me anymore.” Laurel turned and ran her hand down the behemoth’s gigantic furry leg. “She’ll be waiting for you at the last lantern’s light, at the very edge of the Samhain celebration. I’ll have gone by then, but she’ll help you out.”

Before they could ask her what she meant, Laurel turned to walk back to the behemoth. Oleander ran after her. “Wait!”

His mother turned, her posture regal, her movements fluid—elegant. He threw his arms around her, giving her one last tight embrace. Her arms circled his body and a stray tear streamed down her cheek. She murmured something in his ear and he nodded enthusiastically. It made something in Peri’s chest tighten, almost painfully so. What she wouldn’t give to be loved by her mother so wholeheartedly like that.

Soon, though, she was climbing back onto the Behemoth and Oleander moved to take Peri’s hand. They watched in silence as demoness and beast moved gracefully across the fields, fading into the distance until they were nothing more than twinkling lights.

Shaken by the encounter with the terrifying beast and Oleander’s enigmatic mother, they gripped each other’s hands tightly as they made their way down the ancient stone staircase.

Oleander blew out a breath. “That was—”

“An ominous beginning to our already ominous night?”

Oleander huffed out a laugh, and Peri couldn’t help but grin as they descended into the revelry. The warmth of Oleander’s presence was grounding, and even with the uncertainties of the night, a quiet sense of reassurance washed over her.

“What will your mother do now?” Peri asked, still processing their interaction.

“I’m not exactly sure, if I’m being honest. But she seems happy, at peace, and in her right mind—which frankly is all I’ve ever wanted for her.”

“And can she really see the future?”

“I’m sure there’s more to it than that. But yes, apparently, she can.”

“Well, I like her,” Peri said, her tone light.

Oleander glanced where Laurel had galloped off. “She’s difficult not to love, even when she’s infuriating.”

Peri laughed, and Oleander grinned as he squeezed her hand. A sense of calm settled in her chest, bolstered by the knowledge that Laurel’s blessing had been given. No matter the chaos of the night, things might still turn out alright.

Around them, magical beings were causing delightful mayhem, their laughter and shouts mingling with the music. Oleander leaned close, whispering, “Alright, darling, you go find Brennessel, I’ll find Hemlock. Let’s meet up at the Fauns’ Garden.”

Peri pulled him into a quick kiss, her lips lingering on his just long enough for the world to fall away. As she broke the kiss with a teasing smirk, she pushed him away and slipped into the crowd.

A hand reached out, pulling her into a quiet area behind a tree. Peri was already reaching for one of the daggers sewn into her outfit when she realised it was Vega. She wasn’t sure if she should still grab the knife, or give Valus’s sister a chance to say her piece.

“I’m not here about my brother,” Vega said quickly. “He deserved what you did to him and then some, if you ask me.”

Stunned into silence, Peri could only nod in agreement. Vega continued, frantic, as if at any moment somebody might stop her from saying the things so heavy on her heart. “Peri I— Sia couldn’t get away from Rocco but she wanted me to bring you this. Your mother made each of you a necklace to wear upon Ascension. Sia wanted me to tell you she’s sorry. She’s so sorry and she loves you.” Vega shoved a necklace into Peri’s hands.

Peri stared down at the pendant in her hand, a small soft pink clay circle with a tiny lewisia flower imprinted onto it. Gingerly, she took the necklace and fastened it around her neck, one stray tear trailed down a cheek before she wiped it away. After a pause she whispered, “Thank you.”

“She’s wearing yours—the pendant with a perilla bloom etched onto it. She said if you ever want to trade then you’ll have to do it in person. Until then, just… just wear it for her.”

Peri grabbed Vega and pulled her into a tight hug. “Take care of her for me. I hope you can both learn to take care of each other. I want you to find happiness.”

Vega pulled away, tears streaming down her face. She gave a shaky nod. “I have to go now, before anyone realises I’m missing. Stay safe, Peri.”

In the blink of an eye, Vega had slipped away. Peri laid a hand on Sia’s necklace reverently before moving it underneath her clothes to keep it safe. Then she gave herself a shake and pushed back into the revelry. She’d only been weaving through the crowd for a few minutes when another hand, this one large and strong, gently touched her shoulder. Spinning around, she gasped. The massive form of Oberon, the representative of the Fauna Circle, towered before her.

Peri had never met him, only seeing him from afar. But now, there he was, standing tall and noble, his broad shoulders covered in shaggy brown fur. His bull’s head was crowned with vast, ridged horns, and his amber eyes sparkled with a merry gleam.

“What a surprise!” His voice boomed, carrying across the crowd with an energy that left Peri slightly off balance. Then, softer, so that only she could hear, he added, “I never thought I’d find the granddaughter of Moloch at a Fauna Circle Party.”

Her foolproof disguise had apparently failed. Peri swallowed her surprise, her heart racing. Quickly, she laid a fist over her chest and bowed deeply. “It’s an honour to be here.”