Blaze offers us a simpering smile. “Of course. We’re still negotiating.” He doesn’t let go of his weapon, though. Jerk.
Prescott finally turns around. “Mr. Prince. Missy.”
“Mysteria,” I snarl. No way am I ever letting that drop.
“What are you doing?” Prescott’s eyes slowly widen. “Wait. You’re from the after-realms, too. Aren’t you?”
“Yeah, well…” I debate about explaining what’s really going on, but decide that it’s way too much trouble. “We are.”
At the same time, Blaze keeps his eye-lock going with Lincoln. Now this feels like safer territory to yours truly. It’s really a bad idea to get into a staring contest with my fiancé. Lincoln has a way of glaring into someone’s soul. It breaks his opponents every time.
Blaze is no exception. He soon opens his hand, allowing his dagger to slip back into its sheath. “May we continue our discussion of a possible alliance?” Blaze’s voice shakes a little. I consider that a small victory.
“We may.” Lincoln releases his grip on Blaze. The Acca warrior stands upright and shrugs like it’s no big deal Lincoln just stopped him.
You fool no one, Man-Bun Dude.
“I’ll give you another sign of my good faith,” says Blaze.
“Go on.”
“I’ll release the young girl and her headmaster. Will that help?”
“Very much so.”
Blaze turns to the headmaster. “Untie the girl, and you both may leave.”
“No.” Prescott’s holding his ground, but it’s obvious how his entire body trembles. “I have the coin with me, just as you ordered.” He raises the clump of dirt in his hands.
My jaw drops. Hells bells. Now he tells us.
Prescott lifts his chin. “Before I’ll do anything, I want your assurance that I’ll see the Lady again.” His eyes glaze over with a hungry look. “I need her.”
Since the whole “I’m from the after-realms thing” is out in the open, I’m going for broke. “What you’re feeling, Prescott? That’s called a lust demon enchantment, my friend. You need a curse breaker, not more time with this Lady of yours.”
Harper writhes under her bindings. Angry red welts are appearing around her wrists, neck, and legs as she twists. The knife is still being held dangerously close to her throat. “Get me out of here. We have to run!”
I shoot Harper a hearty thumbs-up. Leave it to the ginger girl to talk sense here. “Hang tough, Harper. We’ll get you in a minute.”
Harper moans softly. Tears stream down her cheeks. The warrior’s blade pricks her throat. A thin dribble of blood runs down the pale column of her neck. Every cell in my body wants to leap over and free her now.
Screw this. I’m doing it.
I firm up my footing, ready to lunge. Lincoln’s hand gently wraps around my wrist. Our gazes lock.
“Not yet,” he whispers.
I grit my teeth. Hells bells, he’s right. Harper’s safe enough for the moment, and we need information while we can still get it. Not to mention grabbing that damned coin. I force myself to nod.
Blaze smiles breezily. “You want this over, Prescott? You know the price. Give me the coin.”
“It’s right here.” Prescott holds up the clod of dirt. “I won’t hand it over, though. Not until you vow to give me access to my Lady. Use one of those magical promises.”
Blaze tilts his head. “What you’re holding doesn’t look like any coin.”
“Warriors.” Prescott brushes away some of the caked-on dirt. “You have no imagination.” Within seconds, a gleam of gold appears. The coin is about the size of a coaster and covered in Latin writing. Now that the thing is uncovered, its power starts to break free as well. Even from this distance, I can feel the energy. It reminds me of the last time I held something Lucifer made—his orb.
No question about it. That’s Lucifer’s coin, all right.
Suddenly, my skin feels too tight for my body. This coin could release an army from Hell, including Armageddon himself. And it’s really here.
Damn.
Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, I already have the codex that will prevent my fiancé and me from ending up in prison. It needs to go to Antrum, pronto. On the other hand, I still have to get a coin that could destroy all the after-realms.
I straighten my spine. There’s no question. There must be a way to reach both objectives. That’s all there is to it.
Blaze starts grinning his face off. “That’s the coin, all right. Hand it over. Now.”
Prescott grips the golden disc against his chest. “Not until you promise me, my Lady. I won’t tell you again.”
Blaze chuckles. “You’re in no position to negotiate. You never have been.” He snaps his fingers twice. It’s some kind of signal because one of the Acca soldiers instantly raises his arm. A throwing dagger gleams in the warrior’s uplifted hand. My breath catches.
He’s going to kill Prescott. And this time, we’re too far away to stop it.