Page 109 of Hunter

Promise. Easy now. It’s going to get a little rough.

A bolt shot down from the sky, scorching the earth in the center of the pentagram. The scent of sulfur danced in the air.

“I love a good show.” Viktor smiled and waggled his eyebrows at Willa. Hunter shot him a stern look in response. “What? We’ve got good seats. Better than Vegas.”

“I call on you, demon, within the confines of our circle. I demand you show your face,” Ilsbeth continued.

“Here comes the good part,” Viktor whispered, fisting the hilt of the knife in his hand.

“Venite ad me daemonium. Et vocavi te nomine. Zaebos. Expellere non ego te meis circulus ad infernos. Et dimitte nobis debita nostra factam acceptare. Adjuro te per Zaebos. Ipsum revelare. Nunc ,” Ilsbeth screamed.

“Oh Goddess.” Willa held tight to Hunter’s hand as the wind whipped across her face.

The ground trembled as it cleaved open, revealing smoke and fire. The skyclad witches protectively knelt and tucked themselves into balls, avoiding the lick of the flames. Sweat beaded over their bare skin, a low chant echoing from their lips.

Willa’s heart raced as the horned creature ascended from the earth, its red glowing eyes glaring at Ilsbeth. Hovering five feet above the circle, it swiped a clawed hand toward the ground, screeching with pain as the white light zapped its fingers. A stream of blood spewed from its mouth toward Ilsbeth, but she held out her palms, sending it flying into the open pit.

What the fuck? Willa’s eyes darted over to her Alpha.

Deep breaths. It’ll be over soon.

Ilsbeth addressed the demon. “Zaobos.”

“I will break through this magick, witch. Come with me and I will spare the others.” As it opened its mouth, a two-foot-long pointed tongue slithered into the air. Whipping it from side to side, it attempted to lash the witches. It thrashed its head toward Willa and pointed a clawed finger at her. “You belong in Hell too. There will be no escape, Princess. Your blood is mine. Your body is mine. You will give birth to the legacy of Hell.”

“Like hell she will, fuck face. We’re here to make a deal,” the Alpha called out to it.

The demon roared at Hunter, its diabolical laugh shaking the earth beneath. “I’ll skin you alive while I rape her a thousand times. Tear your dick from your body and shove it down your throat.”

Willa felt the Alpha’s anger rip through her as if it was her own. He held tight to her hand and stepped toward the creature.

“Fuck you and the hellhound you rode in on. You want this skinbook?” Hunter asked.

Willa waved it in the air, her heart pounding against her ribs. Show no fear.

You’ve got this, Princess. She heard Viktor’s voice in her head.

Her eyes flashed to his, concerned that only her mate should be able to speak with her telepathically. How are you doing that?

Hand it the book. It can’t hurt you during the trade.

What?

It can’t hurt you during the trade. Just do it. I’ll handle the rest, pet.

Willa took a deep breath and addressed the hideous creature. “Hey. Look. I have the book. The book of my ancestors. If you release us, you can have it.”

“A trade,” Hunter yelled at the beast.

“A price must be paid for the magick,” it countered, eyeing the skin book.

“Ilsbeth has paid her price in Hell. Whatever remains is paid with the spells. She has not touched them,” Hunter promised. “The evil perpetrated by the wolves is within this skin book. The spells.”

“The spells are mine,” it contended. “Mine!”

“You want it? Then declare the deal valid under the reign of the Goddess or may she strike you down. Declare the deal by the rules of Hell. Willa and Ilsbeth are released forever. Viktor and Julian too.”

“The witch will come again.” Zaobos dragged its tongue across its bloodied lips. “I will have her.”