I snorted. "They tortured you once for information on the keys. What makes you think they won't do it again?"
"Because I will have them placed where even the Raziq can't get them—hell itself."
I stared at him. He was insane. He had to be to even think that was a logical solution. "I'm sure the inhabitants of hell are going to be as happy as all get-out when they discover what they've been handed."
"I am not so foolish as to simply hide them," he growled. "They will be guarded by the most powerful demons in hell."
"And suddenly Lauren's presence in your life makes sense."
"Everything I do, I do for a reason, Risa." He nodded down at my hand. "You'd better do something about that. I need you fit and able to find the keys later today."
"So much for being able to read my mind only during sex," I spat. "Is everything that comes out of your mouth a fabrication?"
"Only when it suits me." His smile was lazy and arrogant. "That, however, was not a total lie. The only time I can generally read you is during sex—it just doesn't have to be between you and me."
My stomach clenched, and I came so close to throwing up that the bitter taste of bile filled the back of my throat. Every time I'd had sex with Azriel, he'd been reading me. God, was there no end to this man's depravity?
"I'm going to fucking kill you. You know that, don't you?"
He laughed softly. "Keep believing that if it makes you feel better, Risa. However, you are no more capable of doing that than I am of sprouting wings—and not even the banshee you hold in your hand will alter that one fact."
Banshee not, Amaya growled. Throw. Will gladly eat.
Not until we find Ilianna. To Lucian, I said, "You always were an arrogant sod. I just didn't think you were stupid."
"I guess only time will prove which of us is right." He shrugged, the movement casual and elegant. "Now, as I suggested before, you'd best heal that hand."
I glanced down. Blood streamed from what remained of my fingers, and the ever-enlarging pool underneath them shimmered softly in the semilit darkness. And just like that, the anger gave way and the pain hit. My legs started trembling, and my head began spinning so badly, it was all I could do to remain standing.