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I squinted at him. “But the deal we made...”
“The deal still stands, little girl,” he boomed. “But we don’t make the rules. One life for a life. There are no ways around it.”
Angry tears filled my eyes. Luke had been right. The Princes of Hell knew how to twist a deal. They’d purposely kept that information from me, knowing that I’d never be able to follow through. My conscience would never allow me to trade another life for Gabe’s. Not even Granny’s or the worst of criminals. He wouldn’t want that. And now I’d lost him for good. He would spend eternity in Hell and it was all my fault.
The fight went out of my legs. I sunk to the ground and gathered fists full of dirt as my hands clenched. We’d come so far. I didn’t want to give up now. Even if I had to give up my own life for his. I’d do it, in a heartbeat.
My heart fluttered at the thought of an eternity in Hell. Just last summer I’d been horrified to think of a demon using me as a blood bag for the next nine hundred years. But this—this was forever. No going back. Gabe was worth it. But he’d never forgive me for trading places with him. A part of him would hate me for this. I would do it anyway.
I looked up at the Princes of Hell, tears clouding my vision. They were watching me with a sick sort of fascination, as if waiting to see if I’d sacrifice myself for the man I loved. Their coldness irked me and my lips curled back into a snarl.
“I’ll make a trade,” I said.
There was a pounding in-between my eyebrows. It made it hard to see. I rubbed my temples and fought to find my strength to stand.
You’ve lost, a frail voice suddenly sounded inside my head. It sounded a million miles away. You’re all alone. You deserve it.
Anger pooled in my stomach. Mona had no clue what it felt like to lose so much. She’d lived in my head all my life without an attachment to anyone or anything.
Stop, just stop! I was screaming back to her. Why don’t you just leave? I don’t want you here. No one does.
I would if I could, she snapped. Believe me. The first one to jump ship would be me. But we’re stuck with each other, you and me. And I plan on making your life a living Hell. Or, what’s left of it, at least.
She didn’t have long to wait. If the Princes needed a soul for Hell, I’d gladly give them one. I wondered if dying was painful. I’d almost died when Margaret Thatcher tried to take me. That had been painful enough. But maybe, giving up your soul was like going to sleep. Drifting off to a dark place that you could never return from. I could only hope.
At least Mona would finally be in Hell. It was what she’d always wanted. Returned to the homeland of her perverted creator. She could be happy.
If I could release you, I would, I told her wearily. Neither one of us wants this.
Yes, I suppose you’re right, she replied, much to my surprise. Defeat was heavy in her tone. We’re stuck to each other, like two sides of a coin.
Two sides of a coin. I closed my eyes and for once, it felt as if I were in sync with my demon side. We remained in companionable silence for what seemed like an eternity before the sound of a cleared throat brought me back to the present.
“Your trade?” Prince Arawn demanded. Impatience flashed on his face.
“Yes, I will make a trade for Gabe’s soul.” I pushed myself to my feet and swayed before him.
“Who do you have to offer?” he asked. “What soul do you choose to cast in the belly of Hell?”
“I choose...” My precious seconds on Earth were dwindling. My throat constricted at the thought. “I choose...”
A thought came to me in my desperation. A crazy thought that felt too good to be true. Still, a name slipped from my lips unbidden, as if part of me had been screaming for it all along. And when I said it, I couldn’t help but clamp my mouth shut and stare at the Princes wide-eyed and scared.
“Mona. I choose the demon, Mona.”
Prince Arawn cocked his head to one side and watched me with impassive eyes. His brothers stirred around him and twittered with anticipation.
“She’s born of human and demon, so she must have a soul,” I stuttered. “Or, at least some semblance of one.”
I felt a stirring of emotions inside my head that started with shock and then moved toward eagerness. Mona rushed forward, throwing herself at the Princes with excitement.
Yes, take me, take me!
Prince Arawn’s eyes narrowed. He strode toward me and reached out a hand. Somehow, I managed not to flinch, but stood still as he grasped the crown of my head and squeezed. Pain coursed through my body and both Mona and I gasped.
“Two souls, in one vessel,” he muttered, his hand still tight on my skull. “A Nephilim soul and a demon soul. Unusual. Very unusual.”
His brothers began to yell among themselves, but he silenced it with the abrupt slice of his hand. He let my scalp go and marched toward Prince Seth.
