“And just to be clear,” he continues. “What you are asking for is worth a lot more than 30,000 human dollars. You were stronger than I anticipated, but this Obligation you will not be able to resist. You would have a named role in my court, so it would be a blood bond. As my Knight, you would fight and kill anyone I asked you to without hesitation. Not to avoid pain—I assure you, you would feel none—but because your essence would truly belong to me.”
I might not know a ton about fae magic or their royal rules, but the message is loud and clear. For a hundred years, I’d be giving up all free will. And thanks to my mother’s unique childcare methods, I know full well how bad that can get.
“No humans!” I say, quickly. “I won’t hurt anything here on Earth at all. There’s no point in saving this world if you’re just going to use me against it.”
His jaw tightens for a moment before he gives a curt nod. “It is an exceptional demand, but in the interest of time, I am willing to indulge you. However, this is the only amendment I am open to. As you say, the rest isnon-negotiable.”
I push out a long breath out from rounded lips. That he was willing to accept any qualifications means he must really think I could be useful. He’s seen what I can do. I’m sure he could do a lot of evil with that kind of power at his command.
But protecting the whole world and the people I care about—the kids, Ms. Stryker, Rafa, even my mother—is agood concession, and kind of the whole point of what I’m doing here. Also, if he wants to collect, it means he’ll have to save my butt too, so that’s a bonus. And it’s not like I have any other options.
“All right,” I say. “We end this ritual before it’s completed by freeing the Avatarandwe save those kids, then I’ll be your Knight for one hundred years. I accept those terms.”
My stomach sinks as I say that out loud. I feel like I’ve just dug my own grave. But this is what needs to happen. This is how I fix what I screwed up.
I stick out my hand.
Prince Eirian’s lips slice up with an icicle’s sharpness. “Very well.” He brings his own hand up to an inch away from mine when?—
BLAM!
A cracking blast booms out so loud and so close, I immediately jerk in like I’ve been punched in the stomach, dropping to my knees and yanking in my elbows.
Ears ringing, I twist to see Rafa behind me, emerging from a massive stone pillar that juts out from a concrete building halfway down Commercial Street. His shotgun is pointing in the air, smoking. He is wearing his full black tactical Kevlar again and sporting a lethal grin. My hearing is cotton-filled and hushed, but I can still make out what he says.
“Oh, I’m sorry, Your Highness. Am I interrupting something?”
14
I might have foldedlike a cheap umbrella at the sound of Rafa’s gunshot, but Prince Eirian remains standing, his hand still extended. He doesn’t even seem surprised by Rafa’s presence.
“Oh, hurrah, it’s the Hunter,” he says, coldly.
Rafa strides forward, gun down at his side but still gripped in his hand. “I believe we had an understanding that you wouldn’t bring any harm to Alvin. Making him your bitch for a hundred years sure seems pretty harmful to me.”
He’s talking about the binding pact that the elf agreed to after Rafa shot him. It was the second time Rafa saved my life, less than 48 hours ago.
“As I recall, the terms protecting him were more specific. Alvin Alonso is an incubus, Monster Hunter. A creature I’m fairly certain you’ve been told is a demon from the very bowels of Hell. Do you honestly expect me to believe that you still consider him yourfriend?”
The elf’s eyes drift to the mess of bruises on my neck.
Rafa’s own eyes follow, and a shroud of guilt clouds his expression. “Yeah… things are complicated.” He then steps between the elf and me, tall and firm. “But heismy friend, soourpact still stands. Either you help him for free or you twinkle your way back to whatever toadstool you came from.”
Just hours ago, this guy said he’d shoot me on sight. Now, he’s standing up for me, claiming I’m his buddy. I flat-out have no idea what’s going on here—but Rafa does seem to be a better negotiator than I am, so I keep my mouth shut.
The elf’s eyes narrow. “I’m afraid this is not a boon I can grant without compensation.”
Prince Eirian turns to me. His hand is still out. One shake and the deal is made. He’ll have to help me.
But Rafa is between us, and he steps up right in the fae warrior’s face. “Then it looks like you need to go,” he growls.
I realize that for our entire two-day relationship, Rafa has consistently viewed me as some weakling he needed to protect. The damsel in distress. And maybe I don’t have any real super-powers right now, but he doesn’t get to decide this for me. Especially not when so much is at stake.
I grip the Hunter’s shoulder. “Rafa, this is serious. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk. And there’s no time. Ineedto do this.”
He turns to me. “You insisted on saving the kids,” he says, like it’s some minor revelation.
“Yes. Of course!” I huff, frustrated. “I figured Prince Eirian could get them outandhelp me stop the ritual, soyeah, I’m going to ask for that. But like I said, I’ve found out this is even bigger than we thought?—”
