Page 89 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

“Oh my God, are you okay?” I whimpered, “Sorry, I know that’s a dumb question. Of course you're not okay.”

‘I’ll be fine as long as you are.” He pressed his forehead against the bars, and I climbed up to the first rung of the cell, pressing my forehead against his, the slick cool touch of his sweat telling me just how bad it really was.

“You have to take the soul,” I whispered, my words fast and frantic. “You have to.”

“Justine, you don't know what you’re asking.”

“I do, and I’m so sorry to put this onto you, but Faye, she thinks there’s a connection there. A reason that I was chosen to carry your soul.”

Nephesh brushed his thumb over my lips. “Because you’re the only one tough enough.”

I captured his hand. “Well, yes, but she thinks, and the Drude too probably, that there’s meaning behind it. Maybe I can help. Maybe I’m supposed to.”

“The only thing you’re supposed to do is be safe. I’m begging you.”

“But I screwed up. I pledged myself to him.”

“Shh. We will find a way.” Nephesh’s voice was rough as he tried to soothe me.

I ran my fingers into his hair, my entire body aching as I pressed against the bars separating us.

“They’re hurting you.”

“I can take it.”

“This is all my fault. If I’d never called for you…”

“Then I would’ve never found you.” Nephesh leaned in, his nose brushing my temple. “Cerberus might have though.”

I let out a wet laugh, one hand mopping at my face. “What are we going to do?”

“You are going to listen to me, little thief.”

I swallowed hard, my hand still clutching his.

“You, my beautiful, kind, wild mate, you would’ve always been worth it. I’d happily endure all the pain in the world is worth it to spend that time with you. Even if it's all we get in this lifetime.”

“Shh, Nephesh, please. Don't talk like that.” I pressed my body against the bars, needing that reassurance that he was still here. Because I couldn’t imagine a world without him in it. I needed him to know that. “Nephesh, I-.”

“Go, Justine.” His voice was as ragged as my heart felt.

“No, I can't.”

“Now, before they catch you.”

With a cry, I turned, stumbling off to the rung I’d been standing on and taking three jogging steps towards the center of the room before I rushed back to him. Reaching in, I felt the heat of his skin under my palms as he pressed close once more.

“You listen to me. I love you, and I’m going to find a way out of this, and then I’m going to spend the rest of your life showing you that I’m not only capable of loving you at your best, but loving you at your worst too.”

Nephesh’s exhale shook his whole body. “I can’t wait to see it.”

With a sob, I pushed away from him, rushing back across the room, out the door, and down the hallways. I didn't stop until I was back in my room, and when Faye came out of her shower, I knew she was pretending that she didn’t hear my sobs.

28

Nephesh

Justine should not have come here. She should’ve stayed away. While the idea of her being here at all still gave me a wealth of anger issues, I knew that for the moment, she was safe. They wanted to keep her. The Drude believed that in his quest for power, the witches would be an asset to him.