“I was summoning the devil. An ancient book whispered its secrets to me, and I’ve decided to take him as my husband. I’d invite you to the wedding, but I’m pretty sure the ceremony takes place in Hell.”

Blood and bones. Vittoria hadn’t been teasing. Questions swarmed around my head like angry bees.

“Was that all you wanted to know, witch?” Wrath stepped into view, breaking into my thoughts. My sister had told me the truth, and I’d let her down. I didn’t ask questions, or take her seriously. I should have known better—she always said outlandish things to humans, and delighted in them thinking she was lying. If I wasn’t so annoyed with her for embarrassing me in front of Antonio, I would have paid closer attention. I should have paid closer attention.

I took a steadying breath. I’d start noticing every detail now.

“Why did Pride want to marry her?” I asked. Wrath’s expression became impossible to read. My patience frayed. “I know my sister agreed to marry him. She told me so herself.”

He didn’t move, but I pictured his mind whirling as he probably formulated a thousand different scenarios, and tallied benefits against costs to information sharing. I honestly didn’t think he’d respond. He didn’t look pleased when he finally did. “Pride needs to marry in order to break a curse that was placed on him.”

“Why are you helping?”

He flashed his teeth. “I was bored. It seemed like fun.”

If he really couldn’t lie to me, that had to at least be partially true. “So, what . . . your mission is to find someone who’s willing to marry Pride?”

“Yes. He’s in need of a witch bride, specifically. Part of my task involves ensuring his betrothed makes it to our realm safely, should she accept his bargain.”

“Why does he need to marry a witch?”

“He requires someone with magical abilities to break the curse.”

“What if she refuses?”

“Then she’s made aware of opposing . . . forces . . . that wish her harm.”

It was a very polite way of saying if she declined the offer, she’d risk death.

“The other two victims were also witches. Which means they were offered the same bargain as Vittoria,” I said mostly to myself, thinking over the new information aloud. Wrath nodded politely anyway. “Were they killed before or after you spoke with them?”

“After.”

“You allow them time to consider the deal?”

“Of course. They’re given a full day to think it over.”

I was surprised by this. If I needed someone to accept a bargain to break a curse, time would be the last thing I’d want to give them. Too much could go wrong.