Page 106 of Trapped By the Blood Ruby

“You wanted to interrogate the demon?”

“Oh. Right. Yes.” My stomach lurched.

I forced a few forkfuls of scrambled eggs down. I didn’t want to offend Vittorio. I mumbled as much to Laurent and he helped me finish the rest of the food. Then we took the tray down to the kitchen and went to the cells.

Laurent showed me how to open the secret panel in the wall when we descended. “Would you like me to wait outside while you question the demon?”

“No. I mean… Can you come in with me?”

“Of course. You have nothing to be worried about. He’s chained to the wall. I won’t let him hurt you.”

I still felt better having him there. He opened the cell door and pressed his hand to my back, guiding me in. For a moment, the darkness made me stiffen. I pushed my own fears down deep. “You’re all right,” came Laurent’s soft words at my ear. His body was nearly aligned to mine. His hand slipped up to cup the back of my neck.

Slowly, I relaxed.

The demon was there, sneering as we entered. Its eyes went to Laurent and narrowed. “Come to feast on my essence, bloodsucker?”

“I’m here to ask you some questions,” I said. The demon’s eyes snapped to me. “Also, bloodsucker isn’t very original. Couldn’t think of anything more creative? After you’ve been down here all night?”

Laurent’s chuckle was barely audible.

The demon spit on the ground near my shoe. “Ain’t got nothing for you, amplifier. Unless you want what’s in my pants. In that case, I’ll fuck you good.”

“Watch your mouth, demon, or I’ll rip out your tongue and feed it to you.” The frost in Laurent’s voice chilled the room. I glanced at him, noting his hard expression.

“We didn’t get to finish our conversation last night,” I said. “I want to know who your master is. You said you were charged with bringing me to them. I want to know who they are.” The demon started to laugh. Laurent’s thumb rubbed circles on my skin. “Who is your master?” I demanded, letting my voice shift into the strange cadence I’d used before.

“Drazgus,” he said, rasping.

Laurent’s hand at my neck tightened.

“Okay. Why does…Drazgus want me?”

“I don’t know,” he spat.

“I think you do, or you have a theory. You’re working around my command to hide it. I’m an amplifier, so I can already put the pieces together. Does Drazgus want my blood?”

“No.”

“No…” I repeated, considering.

“Who is Drazgus?” I demanded.

“He’s the prince of the night market.”

Laurent was motionless beside me.

“Was he going to sell me to the highest bidder?”

“No.”

“Give me to someone?”

“…Yes.” This came out more strained.

“To who?”

“I—don’t know.”