The mother glared right back, her smile smug.
Through gritted teeth, Malcolm said, “And the terms?”
“I pledged my soul to her upon my death,” Gabriel replied. “My death also being part of the deal, which, upon further reflection… Yes. Worst idea ever.”
“Can’t be overstated,” Demetria said.
Gabriel nodded and stared off into the pit, mesmerized by the pulsating light. He felt the echo of it in his chest, the dull thud of a broken thing that could no longer beat on its own.
It was essentially the same deal Zachary Colburn had made. Escort Jacinda safely back to the earthly plane, and then...
“And your soul,” Malcolm said. “How long, exactly, will she own it?”
“For the span of her eternal life,” he replied.
“Such a sweet gesture.” The mother touched her heart, her eyes sparkling. “Our little white knight, dashing in to save my daughter, sparing her the pain of imprisonment in hell. Very Romeo and Juliet. Of course, now the poor dear will have to spend her immortal life topside, which isn’t exactly an upgrade, is it?”
“I would’ve done it to spare her even oneminutewith you,” Gabriel hissed. “One. So don’t talk to me about—” The words died suddenly on his tongue, his mind snagging on something the mother had said. “Wait. Immortal life? Jacinda… Jacinda’simmortal?”
The mother clucked her tongue and shook her head as if Gabriel were the last one in on the secret.
“Are you fuckingkiddingme?” Demetria said. “She’s immortal?”
Immortal? Gabriel still couldn’t wrap his head around it. All this time, he never knew.Jacindanever knew.
They could have had an eternity together. An immortal life.
Dorian’s words echoed in his memory, each one slicing through his heart like broken glass.
It’s a cruel thing to be given a gift you didn’t even realize you’d wanted—needed—only to have it taken from you the moment you’ve finally come to accept it…
“No matter,” the mother said with a shrug. “She’s there. You’re here. Pity, really. But, as I told you before, rules are rules.”
Malcolm sighed and shook his head at Gabriel as if he were the stupidest vampire who’d ever walked the earth. Then, turning to the mother, he said, “This deal. It grants you the right to claim Gabriel’s soul for youreternallife?”
She nodded and smoothed her hands over the lapels of her pinstripe suit, preening. “I’m almost disappointed the negotiations weren’t a little more challenging. A royal vampire should know better than to accept the first offer.”
“Agreed.” Malcolm shrugged and gazed out across the black pit, pretending to lose interest. “Oh, just one more question.”
“What’s that?”
“Should your eternity come to an untimely end, does that render the deal null and void?”
“Untimely end?” The mother laughed. “I’m an original, immortal demon.”
Malcolm shrugged. “Rules are rules.”
She opened her mouth. Closed it. Hesitated.
And in that fraction of a second, Malcolm shoved a blade right through her original, immortal eyeball.
The Blade of Azerius.
The weapon flickered, lighting up her skull as if she’d been electrocuted.
The mother didn’t even have time to scream. The clothing and skin melted instantly from her bones, revealing the brittle black skeleton beneath.
Still clutching the bone handle, Malcolm yanked the blade from her eye socket.
