Page 84 of Hateful Prince
“And if you want to practice,” I offered, “maybe you can start with that fucking doll.”
Her eyes lit up. “You’re right. I can summon her spirit out of the doll. Maybe put it somewhere safer?”
“Like the bottom of the lake?”
She giggled. “I’ll think of something. You don’t need to worry, Tor. I’ll protect you from the mean ol’ dolly.”
“Thank you, Kærasta.” I dropped a kiss on her lips and moved to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“To take care of the mess I made of your room.” Reaching for the knob, I opened the door, and my heart stopped.
Sitting there, grinning creepily up at me, was that porcelain-faced, ringlet-haired menace.
“I found you. I’ll always find you, Daddy.”
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
DAHLIA
“What are we going to do with you?” I asked, staring at the doll I’d rescued Tor from.
“Play with me?” Katarina—or Kat, as I’d started to call her—offered. I didn’t know if it was Tor rubbing off on me, but I definitely understood why she freaked him out so much.
“This is a prime opportunity to practice your skills, baby doll. I’m right here to help.”
I turned to Hades, the beautiful fucker, and shrugged. “Sure, but I don’t know what to do. I’ve already trapped her in a doll. What more is there?”
“What has Masterson been trying to teach you?”
“Control, I guess. How to summon and hold a spirit.”
His handsome face turned thoughtful. “Seems like she thinks you’re some kind of necromancer.”
“Is that what you are?”
“I’m a god. My power can do all sorts of things, but ultimately it’s tied to souls and death magic.”
“Is there an old, musty library in this place? One with books about necromancy I can study? I do a lot better when I have information.”
“There’s a library, but I can’t speak to its contents. Easy enough to check, though.”
“Okay, and in the meantime, what are we supposed to do about her?” I asked, tipping my head back to the doll.
“Play with me,” Kat said again. As if repetition might get her what she wanted. “I like fire.”
“No,” Hades and I said at the same time.
“Give me back to Daddy. He’s fun.” The way her face didn’t move as she spoke sent chills racing down my spine.
“He’s not your daddy,” I snapped.
Her head swiveled ever so slightly, keeping those glass eyes on me. “Is he your daddy?”
“No,” Hades said.