Chapter 7

Violet

With his hot breath fanning over my neck, the sudden change in his tone leaves me bewildered. I swallow hard, giving a faint nod because it seems like the only choice I have. A small sigh of relief escapes him before he loosens his grip, allowing me to turn around.

He is still wearing that damned mask. But up close, I can see the worry lines etching his forehead above it. Something is different about watching that face now, knowing what lies behind it - Alpha Lucifer.

“Good girl,” he murmurs, taking a step back from me. The tail recedes, too, and I look down, wondering where it vanished. Has he always been a demon? Wait. I’m stupid—of course, he has! He just chose to keep this from me.

“Why?” The word slips out before I can stop it. It’s not accusatory or even demanding, just quiet and defeated.

Jace’s eyes, visible over the mask, soften, and he reaches out his hand as if to comfort me. But he stops mid-air when he realizes that I’m shaking.

A sigh leaves his lips. “Because I c