I didn’t look at Ryan again. I wasn’t sure if he knew exactly what I was planning to do, but I didn’t want to see his reaction when he figured it out. I quickly lit the candles, sketched the needed changes into the sigils, then positioned myself at the edge of the diagram so that Rachel and Ryan were to my right. I lifted my arms and began the low chant, weaving the power into the summoning and allowing myself a brief twinge of pride at my ability to manipulate the stored potency. The runes and wards flared to life as I quickly worked through the required forms. I was taking some shortcuts, but it wouldn’t matter with this summoning.
I knew I would be safe, especially with the offering I had ready.
The portal widened from a slit to a glowing vortex, and I could hear Rachel’s triumphant laugh. You won’t be laughing for long, bitch.
I spoke the demon’s name, and a heartbeat later the portal went dark, the candles blowing out from a nonexistent wind.
“What happened?” I heard Rachel complaining. “Is it open? Is it done?”
My heart thudded painfully in my chest. I could sense him in the circle. I could hear Ryan’s breath hissing through his teeth. He knew who I’d summoned. I lowered myself to one knee and bowed my head, clutching my hands into fists to keep them from shaking.
Blue light flared. Rachel gasped, and I knew I had mere heartbeats before she figured out that I’d duped her.
“My lord Rhyzkahl,” I said, voice trembling despite my best effort to appear strong. “Save Ryan Kristoff and stop Rachel Roth, and I will serve you as your summoner.”
I EXPECTED TO HEAR A SHOUT OF PROTEST FROM RYAN or some sort of noise from Rachel, but there was nothing but silence. After several heartbeats I lifted my head. Rhyzkahl stood before me, arms folded across his chest, face impassive. I risked a quick glance around, shocked to see a familiar white-marble hall and raised dais with the Mark of Rhyzkahl carved into it—a symbol that I knew all too well. I blinked in confusion and then looked back to the lord.
“No, we are not in my realm,” he said, answering my unspoken question, voice low but thick with power. “This is merely an illusion that grants us time and privacy so that we can seal the terms properly.” Now I understood. He hadn’t actually frozen time or transported me elsewhere. This was no doubt like the dream sendings, where he manipulated the appearance of reality. And since this was no small thing that I was offering, Rhyzkahl obviously wanted to be absolutely certain that the agreement was a solid one.
I took a shaky breath, heart thudding. “The woman, Rachel Roth, is the creature I told you about. She can consume essence, and … and she’s getting stronger. Much stronger. I think she consumed a hriss from the”—I hesitated, unsure whether to mention the portal, then realized that it was a bit late for that sort of worry at this point—“from the portal in my aunt’s library.” I thought I could see his eyes narrow, but I couldn’t be sure. I swallowed harshly and forced myself to continue. “She came at us and we both shot her, but she got hold of Ryan and healed herself and is holding him hostage—sucking his essence out.” Sweat stung my armpits despite the chill in the air. “She has killed a lot of people, and I don’t know how to stop her, and—”
“And this creature you know as Ryan Kristoff is important to you,” Rhyzkahl finished for me.
I struggled to work moisture into my mouth. I had the horrible feeling that I was about to burst into tears, which was really the last thing I needed to do when attempting to establish terms with a demonic lord. And, of course, the more I struggled to keep myself from thinking about crying, the more tears stung the backs of my eyelids.
“Yes, my lord. Wh-what manner of service would you have me offer you in exchange for your aid that would fulfill the bounds of honor?” Damn it, I was crying now. I could feel the treacherous tears snaking their way down my cheeks, and it took everything I had not to wipe them away.
“Stand up, Kara. Kneeling does not suit you.”
I got awkwardly to my feet and then went ahead and swiped at the tears with the back of my hand. Rhyzkahl turned away from me and took the two steps to his throne, seating himself in a languorous manner. “This matter is more complicated than you can know,” he said, looking thoughtful.
“Because of Ryan, right? He’s not just an FBI agent?”
He gave no indication of denial or affirmation. “It is a complex matter. It is not so simple for me to interfere.”
“Why?” I persisted. “Does someone want him dead? Is that why that kzak was pushed through the portal? To get him?”
His crystal-blue gaze speared me. “When did you encounter a kzak?”
“A week ago, I think. Was it after him?” Or me? I added silently.
His expression remained inscrutable. “I cannot answer that.”
I scowled. I was definitely over the wanting-to-cry part. Now I was into the annoyed-at-being-in-the-dark part. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Let us get back to the matter at hand, shall we?” he said. He stood and strode to me, then cupped my chin in his hand and tilted it up so he could look down into my face. “You wish to have the threat this woman poses eliminated, and you wish Ryan Kristoff to be spared from this threat.”
“Yes.” I couldn’t really nod with his hand under my chin.
“Yet you also wish to protect your world, your realm, from the chance that an arcane creature of my power would despoil it for his own gain.”