She frowned. “I don’t know. Old. Twenty-five?”
“Close, give or take three hundred fifty. I was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials, in fact. A low point in my life, but certainly not the only one.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re ancient. How have you stayed alive so long?”
“You don’t want to know.”
She stood and cocked her hip. “Okay, so explain this to me. You’ve been failing at life for four centuries. Why give up now?”
“For one thing, I’ve lost my athame and George has trapped me here. For another, the succubus is the only person who knows where the relic is. George is the only alchemist knowledgeable enough to weave the spell, and the two of them are somewhat at odds, if you haven’t noticed. Lastly, I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m destined to die alone.”
She threw back her head, auburn hair cascading down her back. “Oh my God. Is this about Fiona dumping you? You have got to be kidding me. What do people even like about her? Seriously, can you fill me in? Because all I see is an irritating, frizzy-haired idiot.”
Jack inhaled deeply. Strawberry lip gloss—a little sweat. Maybe she’d make one final meal before he died. He’d never tasted the blood of a Blodrial follower. “You know, I don’t really see how any of this is your concern.”
“It’s just I heard you were some kind of amazing leader, but you’re telling me you’re not even that good at magic. At least not compared to George, who’s obviously a total lunatic.”
“You know how I mentioned dying alone? It’s starting to sound more appealing,” he growled, his appetite growing. “You’d do best to watch your tone.”
She stepped closer. “Oh, really? Am I supposed to respect someone who lies around hoping to die?”
He rose, standing inches from her. “I raised an army of Harvesters from the ground. I can control people’s bodies with a few magical words, if I want to. I took over the illustrious city of Maremount. The Throcknell King trembled before my power, and you walk in here and insult me while I lie convalescing?”
“Convalescing. That’s what you were doing? It kind of seemed like you were about to kill yourself.”
The girl was infuriating. “What business is it of yours?”
“George promised me a new life. I’ve got nothing left, except that I’m supposed to be engaged to you. And I thought, well, Jack has a lot of money, at least. I’m not asking for much. A modest mansion, somewhere my family can’t find me. A staff of people to do the cleaning so I never have to work. Jewelry and some dinner parties.”
“Is that all?”
“And George told me you were strong. I can see he was wrong there.”
“And why would I want you in my life?”
She looked perplexed. “Um, why wouldn’t you? I’m beautiful, and it’s not like you have a lot of other options. It would at least save you from dying alone.”
She had a strange sort of point. “I don’t know that I’m the rich man you’re looking for. I’m a monster. I sent innocent people to their deaths in Salem. I can’t count the number of people my army hanged.” He wrapped a tendril of her silky hair around his finger. “Oh, and did I mention that I stay alive by eating human flesh?”
She blanched. “George left that out when he was singing your praises.”
“It’s what keeps this beautiful face before you looking young and healthy. Something I learned from George. Human flesh, my pocket watch, and the spell of an ancient alchemist. Sometimes, I like to start with the belly. Other times, the neck.” His eyes roved over her body, taking in the curves beneath her silky gown.
She inched back. “Oh my God. You don’t want to eat me, do you?”
“You’re just my type, actually. But don’t worry. George has been feeding me human patés like a proper gentleman, so I can control myself. For now.”
Stumbling back from him, Munroe slumped into her chair. Her face crumpled. “What am I doing here?”
“You wouldn’t be here if you had anywhere else to go.”
She hid her face in her hands and sobbed. “I can’t be homeless. I wasn’t meant to be poor.”
Oh, gods. Here we go. He ran a hand through his dark curls. “Look, I’m not really good with… this sort of thing. Can you do it somewhere else?”
“I’m surrounded by monsters,” she cried.
He closed his eyes, marshaling his patience. “If I recall correctly, your family drinks blood and lights children on fire. I’m not sure that I see a vast difference.”
“It was sacred blood from a god.”
“You took it from a Fury’s veins against her will.”