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“You’re not controlling that part?”
“Afraid not.”
Caius’s nostrils flared, as though he could sense my response to him. My cheeks flushed and I cleared my throat.
“Well, I’m here now. So talk.” I crossed my arms uncomfortably and looked at the two other men in the room. “Who are they?”
“Oh, I know the answer to this one.” Clara extended her thumb to the man with long brown hair, styled in braids, with his pointed ears peeking through. The piercing nature of his blue eyes caught me off guard. “This is Abyssian. He seems okay so far.”
“That one is dangerous,”Eres whispered in my mind.
“We’re in Tartarus. They’re all dangerous.”
“Fair point, but I don’t sense Caius as a threat.”
“Pretty sure the evil soul forcibly embedded in me deems him as safe. Don’t get confused here.”
She hummed, not sure she agreed.
“And this one,” my cousin continued, gesturing vaguely to a man with a shaved head, thick muscles, and tattoos of feathers running down both of his arms. A leather vest with drawstrings on each side prevented me from seeing if they ran down his chest as well. “His name is Pol, which sounds like he’s named after a chicken. Should have aimed your pomegranate at him.”
“Also dangerous.”She paused. “Very.”
“Shush. They’re all dangerous. I don’t need the commentary.”
He scowled at Clara’s assessment, and Abyssian snorted.
“Now that everyone is acquainted, find somewhere to be,” Caius ordered. The bald one turned on his heel and left without another word, but he aimed a glare at Clara before leaving. “Both of you.” Abyssian lingered for a moment before he then lowered his gaze in respect and followed suit.
Clara attempted to subtly walk forward as if she’d been included in his dismissal . . . until her body slammed into some sort of invisible force field that prevented her from going any further.
“You stay here, remember? Do you think I just say things to hear myself speak?”
Clara tilted her head to the side, speaking in a faux innocent tone. “You mean you don’t?”
“I told you that you’re not leaving until she agrees to stay,” Caius said, choosing to ignore her antics.
“I was just going with the two minions, but fine. I’ll stay. It’s not awkward or anything,” she muttered. She met my eyes with an apologetic smile.
“You promised you wouldn't hurt my family,” I said.
“I haven't hurt her. Ask her yourself,” Caius replied. When I looked at Clara, she twisted her lips to the side, then shook her head.
I blew out a frustrated breath. “I know what you want, but if you make me stay here, this will only ever be one-sided,” I said slowly, gauging his reaction.
A slight crease formed between his brows. “One year,” he said. “That's all I ask. You give me one year where you agree to stay and Clara's free to go. I'll even keep the portal open so that your family can come and go as they wish.” After a pause he added, “Except Nog. He’s annoying.”
Despite our current circumstances, Clara cackled, and I looked at her with wide eyes, giving a look that said “really?”
So our official negotiations had begun. I knew this was coming when I made the decision to pack up and cross through that cursed portal.
“How about a week?” I countered. Caius barked a rough laugh and somehow the sound of it was welcoming. It passed through me like the warmth of moonshine easing my aching bones after a hard dig on a Friday night. I found that physical response unexpected and completely annoying.
“Ten months,” he said, giving more than I thought. I’d honestly expected him to not budge.
"How about two weeks?" At this rate, I'd get him down to a month. I could last a month, right?
“Ten months,” he repeated.
