This thing between us wouldn’t change. Too much had transpired. I had seen into the soul of the man, had learned how far he was willing to go for someone he loved. And it was love. Of that I was certain. He might not intervene when it came to fate, but he would do everything in his power to protect those he cared for.
It felt as if I was torn in two as I pulled from the comfort and solidity of his embrace, prepared to greet whatever would be. He wasn’t as willing to let go of me as I was of him, holding on as long as possible.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Victoria’s smug grin, one that came along with pride and a sense of victory, made my choice all the easier. Do or die. Life or death.
I’d been there before, and I wasn’t afraid.
“Dimitri,” she said as she waved dismissively at the circle.
A man stepped from the vampires at her back and strode toward the circle. He was human, and he was a necromancer. I felt the power radiating from him, so much more powerful than I’d ever experienced with Goose or Sonja. Watching as he began summoning the demon made me itchy, a prickle beneath the skin. I kept telling myself to be patient, to wait it out. Still, I couldn’t keep that tingle of anticipation from traveling up my spine.
The mirror I would use soon vibrated, a bright flash of light overtook the room, and the smell of sulfur accompanied it just as a figure appeared inside the mirror. Like with Zagan, there was a strange desert behind it, the very realm of Hell appearing before us.
“Nemnoc, I summon you to do my bidding.”
“I do not owe a debt to you, human.” The demon was as androgynous as Zagan, tailored in unisex clothing. Instead of bronze-colored strands, its hair was bright, vivid silver. Strange black markings also marred its temples, and its eyes were the same opalescent hue I’d seen inside the face of the monster that had placed me in this predicament.
“No, but you owe one to me.” Victoria stepped into the circle, arrogant and haughty as ever.
“Victoria DelCrux.” The demon grinned and began moving through the mirror. The edges changed, become almost liquid as it passed into the realm. Within seconds, an unmistakable heat permeated the area and the creature stood before us all.
“You owe me a debt, which I’m willing to end if you use your leverage to sever another debt.”
“Interesting.” Nemnoc’s grin didn’t waver.
“I thought you might think so.” Victoria moved closer to the demon but didn’t leave the circle. “I have a human in my midst who owes a debt to Zagan.”
“Zagan?” The creature’s grin became a full-fledged smile.
“All demons owe you a debt of some kind, it’s common knowledge. Sever his debt to the mortal in question, and I will end your severance to me.”
Nemnoc glanced around the room, until its gaze rested on me. “Again, interesting.”
“I didn’t summon you to fuck around.” Victoria was no longer happy-go-lucky, but the demon didn’t seem fazed. If anything, her agitation amused it.
“I don’t see how any fucking can be accomplished, Victoria DelCrux, as you remain in the safety of your circle.”
“True.” She shrugged, and though her back was turned to me, I knew she had to be smiling.
Fucking bitch.
No one noticed me as I edged away from Paine, with the exception of the vampire himself. I felt something grab at my back, but it was too late—I was already in motion. Only steps separated me from the demon who could rip my ass a new one, but if things went as I hoped, it wouldn’t be an issue.
“I have a bargain for you, Nemnoc. One you can’t possibly pass up.”
Victoria’s head whipped around, and she glared at me. “Step back in line, or I’ll have you placed there.”
“Rhiannon Murphy.” Nemnoc studied me as I neared. “Rumors of your bargain have spread through Hell.”
“I’m sure they have.”
“The terms of your bargain,” Nemnoc said. “I’m listening.”
“It’s true that if the host you owe a debt to is killed, you are no longer bound to the contract. Correct?”
The demon seemed intrigued by the question. “Yes, it is.”