He was upon me as soon as I opened the door. "Where are they then?"

I'd taken off a great deal of my clothing, leaving myself clothed only in my shift. I wanted him to believe I'd been sleeping. I needed him to believe that. Thankfully, I had just enough wits about me to disguise my fear as confusion. "Where is who?"

"The son of Astaroth says you've got two new girls. Let me see them."

You cannot lie. He can detect lies in neph. "Chester has spent all evening drinking and enjoying himself in an opium den. I doubt he is the most trustworthy source of information." I knitted a web of lies and partial truths, focusing my words on what I knew to be certain.

Lucius narrowed his pale green eyes at me and I swear I felt my very being shiver. I forced myself to remain still as he took a step towards me, his face hovering near to mine. "Merritt Holbrook." His breath was hot against my face as he continued, "He described a girl who looks like Merritt Holbrook."

"I doubt very much a girl like Merritt Holbrook would frequent an establishment such as the Ballantyne after hours." I did not dare say she was not here.

"Nevertheless, he says she is here. And with you, daughter of Gressil."

"I had a private client tonight."

He chuckled darkly and the hairs on the back of my neck stood straight as soldiers. "I did not ask what you did this evening. I asked where Merritt Holbrook is."

"I am not her keeper. We are not even friends."

His hand slid up my arm, over the bare skin of my shoulder and found my neck. I stiffened as his thumb grazed the small cut he'd made on my throat. He made a noise, deep in his throat. "I had hoped we could keep this visit pleasant." He tsked. "But, alas..."

Before I could do anything to stop it, his other hand was on my neck and he was squeezing. I could not cry out, could not do anything but twist against his hold. My vision seemed to darken and spark. What little air found its way to my lungs, burnt like hells fire. I was no longer certain if I was standing or if he was holding me upright.

I thought of damned Merritt Holbrook who sat hidden only feet from me. I wondered if she would ever get herself out of that chest if I were not there to loosen the latch for her. I thought of the angel, Uriel. I let myself consider what she'd said to me about choosing my own path. My own path had not led me anywhere good. 

Shooting stars and mortar fireworks dotted the dark night sky of my eyes.

Then I was falling, falling, falling—and hitting the floor. If I had not been so preoccupied with breathing, it might have even hurt. I had barely regained my vision when I saw Lucius raise a fist to strike Leviathan.

Leviathan, ever my protector, was there. He stood in the doorway, his expression that of the demon he was. He looked the image of Hell's princes—as did Lucius. They were, in fact, quite the wicked match for one another.

"How dare you interfere," the first words came from Lucius, his fist still clenched and raised to attack.

"The son of Astaroth said you were looking for me. So here I bloody well am." Leviathan held out his arms, leaving himself entirely defenseless against Lucius. "No need to kill the neph girl—she's the best whore I've got."

"There are reports that she was seen with Merritt Holbrook. The son of Astaroth saw her with his own eyes. He described a girl with white, blond hair and dull blue eyes." Lucius watched Levi's face, as did I, looking for any sign of recognition, any worry in his face.

Leviathan laughed and tucked his hands in his coat pockets. "Miss Holbrook? Here—and at this fine hour, no less? What, has Chester been dipping into the whiskey again?"

"You cannot deny that is her description. Why would he know it otherwise?"

Leviathan just smiled. "I'm afraid the lad managed to describe half of the whores here. Blond, blue-eyed girls are a dime a dozen, Lucius. Surely you know that?"

"He says she was with another girl—tall and dark haired."

"I assure you, if Miss Holbrook was here I would know it."

Lucius took a step towards Leviathan. "Yes, it appears you have been quite friendly with her in recent days, haven't you?"

There was a noise from inside the trunk, just a soft squeak. I impulsively made my own noise to disguise it, my throat faking a loud cough. Both men stiffened at the sound. Lucius's eyes fell on me, Leviathan's found the trunk. Before it could be noticed, he turned his attention back to Lucius. "Perhaps we should take this conversation to my office. Nephilim do like to talk, no need to cause concern amongst our ranks." He eyed me as he said it. 

Lucius's jaw tightened and he nodded, his gaze locked on mine as he did. I could not breathe—could not so much as blink—as they both left my room. I waited and counted their footfalls against the steps, until I was certain they had indeed abandoned me. Then I promptly I retched all over the floor.