Enchantra (Wicked Games, #2)

by Kaylie Smith

“I hate when people say that,” she told him. “It is something you’ve never seen before. Me. And I’m spectacular.”

#confidence

“Hearts are not ruled by logic or loyalty. They can easily betray you.”

Like the “hot and cold” game Ophie and I used to play.

“Rowin, Wells, and Remi are Shadow Wraiths. The power of every Wraith tends to vary since we can inherit any number of things from our demonic parent,”

“They are enchanted artifacts made to collect and contain souls. Only a few beings know how to forge them. The enchantment can be placed on any sort of item, though lockets are used quite often. The locket I’m wearing in the photograph was lent to me by Knox while I completed a piece of work for him. But your mother’s was very different. It was shrouded with magic I’d never seen before, and she was certain it contained something incredibly powerful, something disastrous.”

Soul locks

You should watch out for Grave. He has brute strength and determination on his side. Covin too. Remi and Wells are quiet but clever. Ellin isn’t ruthless, but she doesn’t give up easily—watch her until the very end. And Sevin… Sevin is unpredictable.”

Barrington's advice for the hunt

That was when she really understood. Enchantra was a different sort of horror than Phantasma. More intimate. There might have been no hauntings here, or tubs of blood, or the wailings of strangers. But the death of people you loved was infinitely worse.

“Rowin, Wells, and Remi can control—and become—darkness itself, but their healing skills are pretty limited to things like absorbing poison or helping someone sleep. Covin and I are Blood Wraiths—our magic isn’t a particularly savory subject to discuss right after dinner—but we do have a bit more capability than the rest of my brothers. Nowhere close to Ellin’s abilities, though.” “And Grave? Or is he only capable of destruction?” “Something like that,” Sevin revealed. “He’s a Void Wraith. Extremely rare. Extremely powerful.” “How powerful?” “Just be thankful he doesn’t have access to his magic during the Hunt,” Sevin said.

“A prestigious secret society for Demons,” Ellin inserted. “Like one of those university clubs, with ominous cloaks and a special handshake.

“No, what’s uncouth is the fact that I bet money against Covin on the fact that Rowin would be able to resist sleeping with you because he swore he never would,” Sevin complained. “And yet here we are.”

“Yes, it’s where my family resides when we’re in Hell,” he explained. “Knox’s residence is in the Third Circle—Greed.”

“Come on,” Rowin told her. “We need to catch the ferry.”

Reminds me of Virgil ferrying Dante

Knox’s estate was really a castle. Complete with turrets, towers, and a very dramatic drawbridge.

The first ferry ride had been rather uneventful, aside from the information from the captain that if she fell into the water, she’d be drowned by the demonic Sirens that lived

all the Circles of Hell were structured in much the same way: two rings of land that surrounded a larger, solid center of the realm, a river wedged between the pieces of earth.

The very outer ring of land where they’d first arrived had been the Outskirts, where most of the demonic residents in each circle lived and worked. The outer ring held more powerful Demons; the inner more powerful Devils. The latter was where they would find Knox’s home: Knoxium.

“You should know enough about Devils by now not to be surprised at our nature. After all, our Prince is currently playing house with your sister.”

So you can imagine how excited the King was to discover that the sister of the very girl that Salem has tethered his soul to is currently in my possession. He offered me a deal I can’t refuse, and so I’m going to offer you a deal that you can’t either.”

“If you agree to convince Salem to return to Hell, I will let you choose this vial when you win Favored,” Knox offered. “Rowington’s mother will be cured. Everyone wins. But if you won’t help me…”

Knox's deal

Their story came in waves, like the colors of spring and the heat of the Louisiana summer.

Ugh i love this sm

If we could convince him to try and keep your soul hostage, then he would want us to extract your soul rather than killing you. If we could place it in a Soul Lock and escape, your friend Salem could bring you back.

The Plan

That if Knox agreed to set all of us free, it was time for him to make the right choice.

A Devil with slitted, crimson eyes and long dark hair. “Give Salem a message from me, too, would you?” the Devil snarled. Rowin narrowed his eyes. “Who are you?” “It doesn’t matter,” the Devil said. “Just tell him I’m coming.”

Foreshadowing ?

A name she used to call him. Genevieve shook off the realization. That was a conversation for them to have another time.

“Before you, I was going to spend my eternity alone, in the darkest parts of Hell. I’d much rather spend a single lifetime in your light.

By the smell of tobacco clinging to him, Genevieve would bet good money that acquaintance was Jasper.

dk if this is important / can't remember who jasper is

Grateful to herself for clawing her way through the darkness, and the light that followed them everywhere now.

Love a full-circle moment