Xerxes was inches away, but he screamed to be heard. “How could he make you do this when you look like…” He gestured to the bruises and stitches on my face. For a second, I felt an irrational urge to defend Malum. I shrugged and yelled back, “It was between me and one of the devils. They’re mates. I never had a chance.” It didn’t hurt to say the truth aloud. I felt nothing. Blank. Emptiness. Purple eyes narrowed, and Xerxes scoffed like he disagreed.
