"They are, but in this case, it is the combination of the vial and the chalice that is dangerous. The vial contains the blood of a Primordial. If drunk from the chalice, it will give immense powers to its user. I do not want to imagine what the Sons of Tenebreis will do with that type of power."

I mull over his words, conflicted.

"I heard your conversation, Ze. If the priestess breaks her vow and tells you where the artifact is, she will die, won't she?"

"It is what it is." He shrugs.

"What exactly do you need me to do?"

Why am I even entertaining this thought? I should have told him no from the start. Yet I heard how dangerous these demons are, and I do not want to imagine what would happen to my world if they were to walk freely between worlds.

"I will not ask anything dangerous of you, rest assured. I will merely need you to infiltrate the temple and defuse the wards meant to keep me out. Then I shall find the high priestess and extract the location of the artifact from her."

"I don't know." I nibble at my lower lip. "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with aiding you in killing someone."

"It is for the greater good," he replies, his eyes boring into mine. "I will protect you, Luce," he continues. "Please?"

My brows shoot up in surprise. Who is he and what has he done with Ze? Last night he apologized and vowed he'd never threaten Thea again, and now he's saying please?

Fascinating.

"I guess I could do that."

His lips pull into a beaming smile.

"You are the only one I would trust with this," he murmurs in a low voice as he takes my hand in his. His thumb lazily strokes my flesh, his purple eyes glowing as he looks at me.

"Thanks... I think?"

"We make a good team, Luce." He nods proudly to himself.

My lips twitch, and I find myself smiling indulgently at him. I don't know if it's the way he said team or the fact that he used my name, but there's a strange warmth developing inside of me.

"You and me?" I challenge playfully.

He threads our fingers together, fitting his palm on top of mine. The size difference is unmistakable, his hand more than double in size. As the surface of his palm envelops mine, I feel a light pulsation at the top of my skin, one that grows in intensity just as it becomes louder and echoes in my ears.

"Only you and me," he speaks in a low, gruff voice.

His eyes find mine, gripping them in a tight vise that squeezes the air out of my lungs. A tingle erupts at the center of my palm, traveling up my arm and making its home in my chest.

The door to the library suddenly opens, and Thea's voice rings out.

"Luce? Are you here?"