Kas puts her finger under her chin and looks deep into her eyes, putting her under a wave of cognitive persuasion. What Kas wants, this unsuspecting maid will provide. I use it as needed, but Kas, she has mastered this skill beyond any other demon I’ve ever seen.

“Take me to your boss,” she says, and the maid spins on her heel. The maid wears flats, which makes sense with cleaning a house this large. Her steps make no noise, but Kas’ heels click against the opulent marble floors as the maid opens the pocket doors to the study. Revealing a devious Douglas handing a dagger to Beelzebub. A dagger that I recognize immediately.

I give Kas a look that I hope insinuates what I’m thinking. I don’t even wait for her to understand the context as I get as close to Douglas Cummings and wrap my shadows around his throat, wrists and the blade—very delicately around the blade. Kas doesn’t even hesitate as she pushes Beelzebub to the ground and begins punching him in the face.

“You brought more filthy demons into my house?” Douglas yells. I’ve had about enough of him. With minimal effort, my shadows tighten around his throat, the rolls on his neck not deterring them from choking him. We hold him with such little effort it makes me smirk. I watch as his eyes bulge and he turns purple. Until he’s no longer breathing.

The maid stands starkly in the corner as Kas hits Beelzebub with murder written in her expression.

“Kas, have the maid make a devil’s trap,” I say.

“With what?” she says, crawling off Beelzebub. I clamp a hand on his shoulder so he can’t portal anywhere. I hand her the blade and look over at Douglas’ lifeless body.

“I’m sure you can get creative.”

Kas hands the blade to the maid. “Here’s what you’re going to do, darling.”

24. Blair

Chapter 24

My hands fist the wheel of the Jeep as we drive back to North Point. I haven’t seen my mom since that night in the forest. The look on her face was something I’ll never forget. She looked like she was doing the right thing, like the idea of finally getting rid of me would be the best thing to ever happen to her.

While I haven’t given much thought to matricide in the past, it’s completely on the table now. I need to do what I have to, to protect myself. It’s clear that unconditional love isn’t a real thing. At least when it comes to my parents. A semi-absent father and a mother who would have killed me given the chance.

“Do you think she’ll be there?”

“Maybe,” I say, trying to concentrate on the road.

“Do you want her to be?” Stevie asks.