Page 16 of Signed in Blood

I smirk. “Unlike you.”

“Does she know what happened to me?” she asks.

“She knows you’re missing…”

She can’t get her questions out fast enough, needing answers like they’re her last breath.

“You don’t need to worry about that right now.”

“I just need to confirm…they didn’t hurt her like me, right?”

“No.” I shake my head, waving my finger in front of her face, shifting the conversation back to the task at hand. “You’re not going to look like yourself, so she won’t recognize you even if you go against my wishes and try to find her. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t attempt to speak to her, will you?” I question her but I already know the answer. She’s willing to obey.

“No, I won’t.” Although it causes obvious pain to ripple through her, she obediently whispers, “I’ll stay away.”

“Good girl.”

“I just have one request,” she speaks up slightly to make this known.

Cocking a brow, I tease her. “You’re making demands now?”

She doesn’t say a word, instead she’s all eyes. With a determined expression, she remarks, “I want my real face to be the last one they see.”

Her breathing quickens, like she needs them to know as much as she needs the breath in her lungs. “Hmmm…I’ll allow it.”

I can see her mind spinning, trying to keep up with what I’m declaring. Most people who make a deal with me are at their wits end, most of them have evil in them, whether it be triggered or from trauma, it’s there regardless. Nature versus nurture has been a debate for decades, and I for one believe they go hand in hand.

Lilith is different and I haven’t seen such conviction and peace in it in years.

“When your family…” Unable to finish her sentence, she asks, “Did you feel conflicted?”

“You’re good at heart and that’s what makes it conflicting.”

She sheds a tear. “I don’t want to die. What did I do to deserve this?”

“Humans tend to blame themselves, it’s a natural reaction to such a drastic change in your life.” I grab her chin, reminding, “Only the good die young, little piece.”

She inhales a deep breath.

“It’s your decision, Lilith. Either way, you’re mine now. Carry the revenge in your heart for eternity, or take it out on those who sacrificed you… The choice is yours.”

She swallows hard, imagining a life down here with me. It flashes through her mind at rapid speed and through magic, I allow her to see a glimpse of what happened to my family. Her bottom lip drops slightly and her eyes turn glassy. She needs to feel the connection we share; it’ll help her understand what I’m expressing.

She gasps, her eyes wide, and I take away the image of my mother dying like her.

“I’m so sorry…”

“You have nothing to be sorry for, I made them pay,” I insist. “I was once innocent like you. You understand that now?”

“I do.” She considers her options.

“After you finish your vengeance, you’ll kill yourself with me by your side and willingly coming back to me.”

“What if I don’t take this deal… I go to hell anyway?” Once again, she gets lost in her thoughts and emotions, and I allow her to take it all in. Because truly, had my hand not been over her eyes, she would not be here. She’d have a different after. But one that would not be her destiny. I feel that in my bones.