Page 39 of Soul Redeemed

Perhaps it was a hint of starvation that’d already worn her patience thin, but Denya couldn’t stand it. She refused another step. The woman needed to acknowledge the gravity of her tone. The unwillingness to let it go. “What the hell is wrong with you people? Why are you acting like nothing happened?”

“Unless you want to be thrown back into that well, I suggest you shut up.”

“No! I made a promise. A promise I intend to keep. I told her I’d keep her safe. I’m going to find her.”

“You’re going to get your ass in line and walk until I say it’s time to stop walking.”

“I’m not taking another fucking step.”

“Then, you’ve made your choice.”

“You won’t throw me into that well. Because for whatever reason, I’m more valuable to you than Safina was. Or any of the girls that were taken. You made a deal, right?”

Denya didn’t even know, for sure, if they had, but she’d suspected as much. Why else would they turn their cheeks?

“You’re replaceable.”

Jaw clenched, Denya shook her head. “No, I’m not. If you lose me, you lose a lot of money.” Totally bluffing, but at least she might get some answers out of it.

Seconds passed in a quiet standoff, while Denya pondered whether the female might toss her back into that well, after all.

The succubus’s jaw ticced, eyes narrowed. “She was young. Not as pure.”

“So, that makes her worth less?”

“Did it ever occur to you that she might be better off than you?”

It hadn’t, actually. Denya had no idea what awaited them at whatever destination they’d arrive—if they’d ever arrive, at all. The female had never bothered to entertain so many questions, though. “What are you doing with us?”

Only a small fraction of a smile slid across her face before it quickly disappeared. “Get in line.”

“I want to look for her. I want to know that she’s okay.”

“The only thing that I’d be concerned with from here on out, is how many days you have left.”

“You plan to kill me, then?”

“I don’t, no. But what happens between you and your master is another matter.”

“Master?”

She smirked and shot a glance back at the males behind her. “I already told you. Focus on your own wellbeing.” The sting of metal hit Denya’s chin as the succubus propped a blade beneath it. “I’ve never so much as laid a hand on you. Don’t give me a reason to start. Safina will be fine. That’s all you need to know.”

It wasn’t, though. At her first chance, Denya would attempt what she hadn’t since the night she was captured—she’d try to escape.

Even if it killed her, she’d never break her promise, and she sure as shit wouldn’t be calling someone master.

21

Calix tipped back a shot of Elysia and continued scanning the Sanctuary crowd. He hadn’t wanted to leave Ava’s side, but duty had called, and he didn’t want to let it fall on his brothers’ shoulders. Someone had to man the club while Gavin searched for Denya.

Calix knew all too well how maddening the unknowns could be. How a man could search for someone, night after night, and wake with the singular ambition to do it all over again. How, against all of the odds and possibilities stacking up against him, he could cling to one thread of hope and push himself to keep trying.

Calix had been there. And he was damn sure not planning to be in that position again.

Ordinarily, he’d tuck himself inside his office and watch the crowd of club-goers from the digital monitor on his desk. But if the gorilla-faced bastard dared to step into his club again, Calix wanted to be the first on his ass. Not a chance in all of Obsidius would he let anyone take Ava from him again.

He watched. Waited. Kept himself on alert, knowing the chances of that bastard showing up were slim.