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The demon stands on all fours, circling me. “I told you before that I need you alive.”
“I am desperate, but I still know better than to make a deal with a scheming, deceitful demon.”
Bending down, I snatch up one of their chains and tug. Varin hisses and falls, rolling out of my way. I throw the door open, more than ready to put the miserable demon behind me once and for all.
“Wait!” they say, desperation in their voice. “I will help you.” Varin reaches out a long arm, fingers stretching toward me, clawing at the air.
My hand tightens around the handle to keep from giving into the temptation. The power in their voice makes it too strong to ignore. “Don’t bother. I won’t take the ring or bind myself to you.”
“Not a bargain.”
“Then tell me your price,” I demand. Listening to Varin’s attempt to keep me here is a waste of time. We both know I have nothing of value to give, and what they really want, I will never agree to.
“Your trust,” they say simply.
“My trust?” I whirl to face them.
Varin straightens, shifting deeper into the shadows. “If what I tell you saves your beloved, then you can decide if you will give me your trust of your own free will. If it doesn’t, then you can slay me with your little dagger.”
I hold out my hand. “Fine. Give me what I need to break the compulsion.”
A chuckle. “What you need cannot be found within this dank little prison of mine.”
I open my mouth to protest, stopping when they hold up a hand.
“The oracle witch knows a spell to break the queen’s hold over him.”
Irrational anger tries to rise to the surface, but I force it back down. The demon’s reasons for withholding this information earlier are not important right now. Finding a way to save Alaric is the only thing that matters.
“Tell me where she is, and I will get it.”
Varin motions for me to come closer. When I do, they point to the ground. I sit obediently. The faster I get the information, the sooner I can go and come back.
“Understand that this quest will not guarantee you success. But, if anyone can help you, it is her. However, be warned that even if you manage to make it there and back with the spell intact, there is still a chance it could kill him and his demon.”
They could both die?
I shudder. That is not an outcome I want to think about, but Alaric has said he would rather die than be controlled.
Varin continues, giving me directions to the witch. I’m unfamiliar with the route, but I will find a map. According to the demon, the ride there should only take two days, one or two more with the oracle, and two for the return trip. Even if it takes a little longer, I will be back in a week—less if I hurry.
I rise and dust myself off, glad that my strength is already returning because I will need it.
“Thank you,” I say honestly as I move toward the door.
The demon stops me with a rattle of chains. “Wait.”
I turn back to face them.
“Take the ring with you. I can help you.” Each word out of the demon’s mouth weaves a spell until their red eyes are the only thing I can see in this dark cell. I can feel skeletal fingers taking hold of my thoughts.
Stepping back, I pull in a deep breath then release it, pushing the demon from my mind.
“No.” I grit my teeth and uncurl my fingers.
Sitting in my palm is the silver ring, the same temperature of my skin. If it weighed any less, it would be unnoticeable. The shining band pulses with power, nearly vibrating with it, calling to me as Varin does. It gives me the feeling of being spoken to in the same hypnotic way the demon had moments ago. That power wasn’t present in it the last time they slipped it into my hand.
Was it?
