Nerves of steel, Ursula. Nerves of steel. “I don’t doubt that, but from your current position that may take some time.”
Bael studied her, his eyes seeming to peer into her very soul. For a moment she thought he might roar again, but then he gathered himself. “Tell me how he was killed.”
“He was found in Central Park. Apparently, his intestines were strung from the trees like Christmas tree ornaments.”
Bael strained against the iron shackles, his muscles taut. “Let me out of here,” he roared.
“Will you help me find Abrax?”
“I’m going to find Abrax and tear his ribs through his back. Henry stole something from me, and Abrax was the one who murdered him. That means Abrax has my possession. So let me free if you want to find him, little hound, because you don’t stand a chance on your own.”
She shifted uncomfortably, her pulse racing. She was going to have to tell him about the soul thing. If he didn’t know about her leverage, he’d just eviscerate her.
“I was a little worried you might be opposed to working with me,” she began, “since you’re a shadow demon.”
“It’s true. I feast on Emerazel’s creatures.”
Her mouth went dry. “Right. So, as leverage, I got your signature.” She pulled the contract from her pocket, unfurling it so he could see, and focused on trying to keep her voice steady. “I put the pen in your hand and made you sign. Now, if you want your soul back, you have to do what I say.”
For a moment, a deathly silence filled the room, and Ursula could hear only her own heartbeat. Then, Bael’s face shifted—eyes darkening and horns growing from his brow. Cold fury glinted from his black eyes, and Ursula stumbled back, hands trembling. Bael threw back his head and roared again, the sound shaking the entire building, rattling the chandeliers and floorboards. Dark magic swirled wildly around him, snaking through her body. Every instinct in her body told her to run.
When his roar quieted, he closed his eyes, his body shaking with fury, and after a moment, his face returned to normal. He glanced at her, eyes a pale, icy grey again. “Unchain me.”
Suddenly, she no longer wanted to release him. He was going to slaughter her. She swallowed hard. “I’m not sure you won’t kill me.”
“I can’t kill you, as you so cleverly ensured. You have stolen my soul and given it to that great monstrous whore, Emerazel. You have your leverage. Unchain me, so I can murder Abrax and get my soul back.”
Ursula crossed her arms to hide their shaking. She didn’t want to anger him, but she had the upper hand now, and she was going to find out what she could. “What did Henry take from you?”
Bael’s furious gaze never left her eyes. “Do you see these bloodstains beneath me? He cut off my wings.”
“Why would he do that? Part of your interrogation?”
“And because they’re incredibly valuable.” He studied her carefully. “What sort of a hound are you?
Apparently, she’d asked a stupid question. “I’m new. How did you know I was a hellhound?”
“You smell of Emerazel’s fire.” There was a hint of distaste in his voice.
She glanced at the stains again. “Why does the blood look fresh?”
“The wounds aren’t healed. If they heal, it won’t be possible to reattach my wings. Until I find them, I must remain mutilated. Do you have any more questions, girl?”
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
Bael glared at her, the yes left unsaid.
Ursula paused, considering what to say next. Which, in hindsight, she should probably had been doing all along. “What makes your wings so valuable?”
“They allow me to fly,” he snarled. He didn’t say obviously, but his tone clearly implied it.
She shook her head. “Abrax already has wings, and I saw him fly.”
“You saw him in his true form?” Bael interrupted, surprise flickering across his face. “And you survived?”
She wanted to shout obviously, but instead she shrugged like it was no big deal. Bael didn’t have to know that she’d almost bled to death in the library. “You didn’t answer my question about why he’d want the wings.”
He clenched his jaw. “They were a gift from Nyxobas himself. I will be condemned for eternity if I don’t find them.”
“How do you know he hasn’t given them to Nyxobas already?”
“Because if he had, I’d be withering in the shadow void, not trapped in a room with one of Emerazel’s dogs.”
“Why wouldn’t he have—”
“Do you always ask so many questions, little girl? I can’t give you these answers. Only Abrax knows. If you free me, I will take you to him.”