“I found the page of sigils in her room. The evidence is pretty damning.”
Her head still shook. “Where did you find it? I searched it and found nothing.”
“You didn’t look under her mattress.”
“I… Wait.” She pursed her lips. “Are you okay? This demon you’re hosting sounds like he’s been a helpful guy so far, but… You’re not going to lose control and try to kill me in my sleep? He’s not going to kill you?”
“I have no reason to kill your sister. I require your assistance to locate my skull, so I promise I will not take over until I have no choice.”
“That’s reassuring.”
“It’s the best I can do.”
“I’m fine.”
“Good.” The look on Ember’s face said she was shutting this conversation down. She idolized Cinder and didn’t want to hear anything about our beloved big sis dipping her toes into the dark arts.
I stood and picked up the plates. “Chaos promises to be a good boy if you’ll help me find his skull.”
She grabbed the empty bottles and followed me to the kitchen. “First thing in the morning. If we don’t recharge, we’ll be useless.”
“I know.” I rinsed the dishes and added them to the dishwasher before scrubbing the spilled sauce from the stove.
“Seriously, Ash. The mess will be here tomorrow.” She dropped the bottles into the recycle bin. “You can clean it then.”
“I’m almost done.”
“Your sister is right. Your body requires rest.”
I rubbed a disinfecting wipe over the counter and tossed it in the trash. “Okay. Let’s get some sleep. Demon’s orders.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
Steam rose from the water’s surface, and the scent of lavender oil wafted to my nose as I poured Epsom salt into my favorite potion. A hot bath would do wonders for my aching muscles. I slipped into the tub and sighed as the warmth engulfed me.
The sigil on my arm turned a deeper shade of crimson, and it pulsed as I ran my finger over it. Chaos rumbled inside me, the contented sensation rolling from my chest downward to my toes.
“Why do you react like that?” I traced the design.
“That mark is the closest thing to a corporeal form I have…and I haven’t been touched since I was imprisoned.”
“Oh.” I jerked my hand away. Good going, Ash. You were petting a demon. I didn’t want to ask exactly which part of him I was stroking.
I sucked in a breath and slid under the water, holding it as long as I could before I was forced to come up for air. Rule number one of possession: Don’t get intimate with your demon.
That probably wasn’t a rule, but it should have been. I had a lot of research to do.
“Do you have any tips for finding your skull? Tell me about the witch who cursed you. How did it happen?”
Silence answered, and I imagined him glowering, which was no easy feat since I didn’t have a clue what he looked like. “Are you as nasty looking as the shedim? Do you have horns?”
“The witch who cursed me was immensely powerful. Her magic was stronger than any I’d seen.”
“Was she your lover?” I clamped my mouth shut. Why the hell would I ask him that? I was exhausted. Borderline delirious. I needed to wash and haul my ass to bed before I talked myself into a pickle.
Thankfully, he ignored my last question. “Your missing sister might not be the one who summoned Discord, but I believe she knows who did.”
“She must, right? Why else would she have your sigils?”
“Exactly. In my demonic form, I do have horns. I also have a human form, and I believe the saying ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’ applies. What is nasty to you could be beautiful across the veil.”
“Is the shedim beautiful?”
He chuckled. “No, he is considered one of the vilest in appearance.”
“Good to know. You don’t have to answer that other question I threw out there. It’s none of my business.”
“I didn’t plan to, and you are correct.”
“Right. Good.” I finished washing and pulled the plug before grabbing a fluffy blue towel and drying off. Standing in front of the mirror, I squeezed the water from my hair and wrapped the towel turban-style around my head.
“Why is your hair blue?”
I shrugged. “Why not? I like to play around with colors. It was hot pink a few months ago.”
“It is a nice shade.”
“Thanks.” I dipped my fingers into the jar of moisturizer and spread the cool cream across my face. “I’m glad you approve.”
