Page 56 of Hell Burns Between Us

The days crawled forward like a spider stalking its prey. Soon, she was sure that nothing could quiet the palpable anxiety growing inside her.

Then, one night, beneath the pale curve of a crescent moon, she woke to the cool, featherlight touch of something gliding over her forearm. Confused, she held it up to get a better look at it. Its coral scales shimmered in the moonlight and it tipped its head to the side as if it were also observing her. Then, it laid its head on her finger and once she was certain the snake meant her no harm she laid it gingerly beside her where it curled up and, as far as she could tell, kept watch.

There was no voice of Slang to accompany this little serpent, and yet she knew.

It was the first of the tiny snakes that would continue to appear in the nights that followed. Perhaps they had come to protect her, or perhaps they were simply there to remind her that she was not alone. Either way, they seemed to be the only thing that made her believe that she would find a way out of this. They gave her hope that Slang had not abandoned her just yet.

At night, the little serpents curled up next to her on her pillow, watching over her while she slept. In the mornings they slithered up her arm, curling around her neck where they laid as still as metal.

All at once, serpentine jewellery became her favourite accessory.

On the morning of the last night of the Beltane moon, she sank into the steaming waters of a bath, the rich aroma of sandalwood and gardenia from the oils Sia had given her, curling around her like a spell.

Her dreams from the previous night had begun pleasantly, donning the soft colours of nostalgia. Sia had been racing beside her through tall grass, their laughter spilling out of them. Their parents had packed a picnic and were talking to each other, grinning as they watched the sisters from afar.

Peri had sprung awake to a tearstained pillow and fury coiling beneath the sweetness of the dream.

How dare her brain betray her like that? She was not ready to think of times when they’d been lovely, it would only dampen her rage and resentment, which currently were all she had.

Downstairs, her family was already gathering in the massive dining room to celebrate Beltane as they did every year. She, meanwhile, was soaking in the hottest water she could stand, trying to wash away the stinging pain last night’s dream had left behind.

Also, she was waiting until the last possible moment to join the festivities. The thought of being around her entire family made her stomach twist in knots. She had never been one to enjoy family gatherings—even in good times, and now she was taking much too long to get ready, all to avoid the inevitable.

Something slithered over her leg, pulling her out of her thoughts. Amused, she carefully retrieved a small, poppy-red snake from the water. It curled affectionately around her wrist before peering at her with curious, glittering scales that caught the sun’s rays.

She gently placed it on her shoulder. “I’ve seen you before.”

“Is it your turn for guard duty then?” The snake didn’t answer, but it slithered around her neck, forming a perfect loop as it nestled comfortably against her clavicle.

She dressed quickly, tugging on snug, dark trousers and a simple tunic.

Her grandfather’s booming voice pierced through the stillness of her bedroom. “Peri? Are you coming?”

“Right down!”

When Peri entered the dining room, steaming chai in hand, her eyes scanned the familiar faces. There were numerous grandfathers, but not a single grandmother. Dozens of male cousins, uncles, great-uncles, but only a handful of female relatives. Wisteria’s sneering words echoed in her head: "While demons are immortal, demonesses aren't. Not really."

She pushed the thought aside, instead forcing the best version of a smile that she could muster into place. The table was long and more than forty of her family members had arrived leaving only one seat left.

The last chair, likely set aside for her, was directly between her sister and Valus. Her smile wavered for a brief moment. Gods below… she would have to talk to Valus through the entire meal.

Not only would this meal be excruciatingly painful because she would have to pretend to not be upset with her parents, but now also she’d have to listen to Valus drone on about things he wasn’t nearly clever enough to have thoughts on.

How could her parents have ever thought she’d be happy with such a dullard? Yes, again, she could see that he was handsome but… what are looks compared to invigorating conversation?

All the other times he’d visited, she’d found ways to avoid sitting directly next to him. In truth, she’d purposely crafted situations so that they were neither alone nor in close proximity for more than a handful of minutes.

Now, forced to deal with a future she’d been numbly avoiding, she stared at the seat as if it were on fire.

Only, she did not want her parents to perceive that anything was amiss; so she sat down in the chair with quiet resolve, determined to find something—anything—to discuss with her betrothed.

On the other side of Sia, Peri had expected to find Rocco, but was pleasantly surprised to see the cinnabar-red skin of Valus's sister, Vega.

Peri had always liked Vega, she was clearly the more clever of the two siblings and was seemingly the kinder one as well.

Sia was telling a story, her hands moving like fluttering birds and giggling so hard she could barely get words out. Vega’s eyes crinkled with quiet laughter as she leaned in to whisper something in Sia’s ear.

Joy like a fog surrounded them as if there was no one else in the room. She watched them, neither aware of her gaze, as a slow realisation settled over Peri.