Soren growls, then gently nudges me toward Cassius, and the basilisk quickly gathers me against his chest. I’m barely clinging to consciousness, and he’s forced to take most of my weight. The cool touch of his skin feels good against my heated flesh, and the scent of dry desert sand and thunderstorms helps clear my head a little.
“What do you want in exchange?” Soren snarls and steps into line next to Porter. He flexes his shoulders, twisting his head side to side, as if bracing himself to take the brunt of the cost.
Horror slashes through me, and I push away from Cassius, taking him by surprise. It gives me precious seconds to shoot forward, and I shove myself between the two men and face off against my father. “No, if there is a cost, it’s mine to take.”
The thought of them being at my father’s mercy chills my blood and bile rises in my throat at the mental image of them clamped in chains.
I can’t do that to them.
I won’t.
Not that I think my father would take it any easier on me because I’m his daughter. If life has taught me anything, it’s that the opposite is true.
When the guys protest, I raise my hand to shush them. “We do it my way or no way at all.”
The three men stand side by side, practically vibrating with rage. Knowing I only have seconds before they try to interfere again, I plop my hands on my hips and turn to glare up at my demon father. “My guess is you need my cooperation for this to work. You touch them, you get nothing from me.”
Familiar eyes narrow on me, but I refuse to be cowed. My muscles tremble under the strain of remaining upright, and it takes all my willpower not to collapse to the floor and curl up in a ball of pain. After what feels like an inordinate amount of time, he finally nods. “Very well. Any other conditions?”
“What do you want with me?” I’m not sure I want to know the answer, but I refuse to blindly accept his offer, even if it saves my life. My family taught me that there were worse things than death.
He purses his lips, his canny eyes easily reading that I won’t be deterred, and fury swirls in the air around him. If he didn’t need me, I have no doubt I would be a pile of ash on the floor. “Very well, but the informationwillremain between us.”
I huff in annoyance, reluctantly agreeing to his demand. “I promise I won’t reveal anything you tell me in confidence.”
His gaze sweeps over my head and pins the guys with a glare.
When I glance at them over my shoulder, I see them standing with their arms crossed, their expressions harsh and implacable. Getting them to budge is going to take a miracle. Before I can argue my case, the world around me tilts, and the next thing I know, I’m on the ground with the guys hovering over me with concerned expressions.
My insides feel like they are being liquified, and breathing becomes difficult. I cough weakly, then wince when I take my hand away and it’s speckled with blood.
“Ticktock,” my demon father warns in a cavalier voice, but the tightness around his eyes betrays his agitation. “She doesn’t have much time.”
The guys exchange grim glances, and I weakly pat their hands. “Go. Wait in the hall. I’ll be fine until you get back. Promise.”
Soren growls in worry, his beast brushing against my mind, as if checking for himself that this isn’t some sort of trick. Cassius squeezes my hand, the slight hiss of scales rubbing against each other coming from his basilisk, like it’s coiling itself readying to strike, just waiting for my signal.
Tears sting my eyes at knowing they would risk everything for me, and I squeeze his hand back. Porter grunts in annoyance, brushing my sweaty hair away from my face. His cool shadow detaches from him and slips into my hair, and something inside me eases at knowing I won’t be alone.
Even better, I’m technically not breaking my vow. It’s not my fault that the demon didn’t order me to protect his secrets as well.
I’m under no obligation to tell the dickhead about any spies.
Porter peers down at me, silently letting me know he would fight for me if I asked, and I lose a piece of my heart to him. I caress his face in wonder, as if seeing him for the first time, silently memorizing his handsome features, then I give him the reassurance he needs to be able to leave. “If he wanted me dead, I would be dead. I’ll be here when you get back.”
It’s a promise.
With a shuddering breath, he presses his forehead against mine. “If you need us, we’ll be right outside the door.”
At my nod, he stands and lifts me in an amazing display of strength. He reluctantly settles me on the couch, then proceeds to fuss over me. After a minute, I catch his hand to stop him. His eyes flash toward mine with the hope that I changed my mind, but we both know there is no delaying the inevitable. He sighs and squeezes my hand before straightening and heading toward the door without once looking back.
I don’t blame him.
If he looks back, he won’t be able to force himself to leave again.
Cassius looks at me, his reluctance to leave in every line of his body. When I give a little shake of my head, asking him to stand down, he huffs and storms after Porter, stomping across the floor as he, too, leaves. Soren kisses the top of my head, brushing his cheek against mine before tearing himself away. He looks uncertain, and I give him a weak push. “Go. I’ll be fine.”
When he whirls away, he leaves burned footprints in his wake, steam rising from each one as he disappears through the door. Hopefully, he doesn’t burn down the house while he’s waiting.
