Page 86 of Realm of the Wicked

‘That’s one word for it.’

‘Come on. Clarissa’s waiting.’ He pulled me forward by my shoulder, dragging me through the dimly lit room. Demons everywhere stopped what they were doing to stare at me as we passed, some openly gaping. They dropped people they held in their arms, whispering Damien’s name, or even shouted obscenities.

Silas greeted several people as we made our way to the back, where a raised platform held a table. Clarissa looked over everyone in an ornate chair, bored out of her mind.

‘Is that her?’ The demon Silas was currently speaking to didn’t bother concealing his curiosity.

I showed him my teeth, while Silas squeezed my arm, continuing to speak for me. ‘Yes, can you believe it? How many years has Damien acted like he’s better than the rest of us, only to stoop so low with her?’

The demon leaned in, fingering a lock of my hair with a sharp claw. ‘What does Clarissa have planned for her?’

‘Oh, you know Clarissa. Always keeping things close to her chest.’ Silas leaned in with a wink. ‘But I heard from a very reliable source, a select few will get a chance for some alone time with her.’

Now I was here, in the den of Wrath, surrounded by the moans of passion and pain, I couldn’t block out the ‘alone time’ he spoke of. Damien wouldn’t let that happen. I recoiled, pulling my hair from his grasp with a swat of my hand. ‘Don’t touch me,’ I snapped.

Silas snarled at me. ‘What did I tell you about behaving?’

I frowned. ‘I want to see Damien.’

‘Damien isn’t allowed in here.’ He looked over to his friend and they shared a look.

‘Why not?’

‘Excuse me a moment.’ Silas dragged me away from his friend. ‘I fucking told you to behave, and that you’d be rewarded, so why are you being such a fucking brat?’

My mouth dropped open. ‘I’m being a brat? You dragged me to Hell, and you have the audacity to call me a brat?’ Definitely was failing at the whole don’t cause a scene thing.

He dragged his palm over his face. ‘I’m beginning to doubt you’re worth the trouble.’

‘You and me both,’ I grumbled. Where was Damien? He should’ve been here by now. He said all I had to do was ask for him. My false sense of confidence was crumbling with every second I stayed here, surrounded by depravity.

Silas tugged me toward Clarissa’s stage. ‘Come on. We’ll let the boss see you and then we can go have our fun.’ His slick grin made me sick.

I tried to pull out of his grasp, but he held tightly. As I twisted and turned in his grip, I did my best to take stock of the room. Dark hallways stretched endlessly in between shady booths, some draped with maroon curtains concealing what lay behind them. Probably dead ends, or more things I didn’t want to see. But they also might give me a bit of time.

Silas didn’t bother warning me about the step, and I grunted as I caught myself from falling on my face once more.

‘Ah, Stella. How wonderful of you to join us. I’m sure you’re loving Wrath.’ Clarissa leaned forward in her chair, unsmiling.

‘It’s definitely something.’ Anxiety bubbled in the pit of my stomach, a reminder that I was running out of time.

‘Yes, we’re quite proud of it. A place for us to be ourselves without influence.’ She leaned back in the tall velvet chair, drumming her nails on the armrest, finally smiling. ‘If only Damien could see his perfect treasure now, on display for our pleasure.’

‘You’re disgusting. All of you,’ I snapped, summoning every ounce of mental strength I still had, finally tugging my way out of Silas’s grip.

Clarissa sat up tall, tossing her pale hair behind her back. ‘Let’s get one thing straight, little girl. You’re here to make a statement. So you’ll shut up, look pretty, and make a fucking statement. And maybe then, when you’re crying and begging for mercy while I’m crushing your soul between my hands, maybe then Damien will finally repent.’

‘He would never,’ I hissed.

Clarissa’s gaze shuttered. ‘Maybe not. But I’ll enjoy it either way. Because even if he doesn’t, I’ll still have won.’ She looked to Silas. ‘Go ahead and do what you will with her. Just keep her face somewhat presentable. It’s the one thing she’s got going for her.’

‘No!’ I stumbled back, jumping down the small bank of stairs and darting over to one of the curtain-covered hallways I’d seen.

Silas was close behind, quick, but I had the element of surprise.

As I neared the hallway, I tugged a loaded table over, the glassware shattering on the floor, the demons who’d been sat there hissing at me. It gave me the extra five seconds I needed to dart into the hallway. Except once the curtain fell, the hallway was pitch-black, not a single speck of light to be found.

‘Shit.’ Silas was behind me, screaming obscenities, and I knew the only way was forward. I pressed my hands out, trying to find a wall to cling to.