The gun that killed my father…
“This time tomorrow, gentlemen,” Travis said, “the deed will be done. And we’ll be officially in business.”
Travis—a man Rudy had brought on as a forger, a man she’d later allowed into her bed…Hewas the inside guy. The bastard who’d gotten close to her father, only to put a bullet in his head.
And he’d done it all on Rudy’s orders.
Charley’s head spun, the ground tilting beneath her.
It was one thing to suspect it—toknowit, deep in her gut—after seeing the evidence Cole had found in the Estas files.
But it was something else entirely to hear the admission from their own mouths.
She returned the tablet to Rogozin and closed her eyes, not bothering to wipe away the tears. Anger, bitterness, grief… They hit her all at once, squeezing the air from her lungs.
“His brother’s life in exchange for power of demon,” Rogozin said. “That was deal Rudy made with Azerius. Unfortunately, like most humans making deals, he did not read fine print.”
Charley took a deep, steadying breath, refocusing. If Rogozin was willing to spill some details about Azerius, maybe there was something in there she could use to find herownway out of this damn deal.
She opened her eyes, doing her best to appear as damsel-in-distress as possible, hoping it might keep Rogozin’s guard down.
“Whatwasthe fine print?” she asked.
“Demon host becomes stronger human, this is true. But he cannot channel demon power until host dies and demon takes over vessel permanently. So Rudy is… how is saying?” He let out a low chuckle. “Shooting blanks.”
The other demons laughed.
“I still can’t believe this happened.” Charley retrieved a tissue from her bag and pressed it to her eyes, buying herself a moment to think. Shooting blanks… Did he mean Rudy couldn’t cast hellfire? Was that why her uncle still needed the gun?
If that were true, it gave them a huge advantage—one Rogozin probably didn’t realize he’d just revealed.
But she needed more. Something about Azerius himself.
“Azerius,” she said, forcing a note of reverence into her voice. “Do you know when he’s coming to… to collect me?”
“I do not. It is miracle he’s waited so long, though. Usually it is shorter time.”
“Is there a way I might summon him? A way to speak with him, maybe?”
His eyes sparkled with new light, as if he were entertaining the whimsical thoughts of a young child. “You wish to renegotiate, perhaps? Make better offer?”
“Is that possible? I mean, I know he’s like a god to you, and maybe—”
“God?” He muttered something in Russian to the barbed-wire demon, and they both laughed. “More like… emotionally unavailable father withverybad temper.”
Charley forced herself to laugh along with the others, but inside, her heart was sinking with each new revelation.
“Lord Azerius does not negotiate,” he finally said. “As for how to summon him, well… He kills brothers. Like Cain. That is when he comes. But it can’t be done without the…” He trailed off, then shook his head. “Nyet. It can’t be done.”
Can’t be done without the blade.
That’s what he was going to say before he thought better of it. Charley knew it, deep in her bones.
“So that’s it? There’s no hope? No way to contact him?” She lowered her eyes, playing every bit the naive human Rogozin wanted to see.
“Even if it could be done, he doesn’t like to come. Summoning him binds him to vessel. It is too dangerous. He…” Rogozin sighed, then said, “I am sorry for your plight, Ms. D’Amico. But things could be worse, no? I’m sure Lord Azerius will show youeverykindness.”
At this, the other demons laughed again.
