The Demon's Bargain (A Deal With a Demon #4)(3)
I react on instinct, slamming my hands to their chest and snarling, “Back.”
They fly back several feet, skidding across the concrete floor. “Someone truly does have claws of her own.” They grin. “I like it.”
“Touch me without permission and I’ll gut you.”
Ramanu straightens and flicks some dust off their shirt. “I’m not interested in those kinds of games, Lenora.” They must see me jolt because they shake their head. “Come now. You must know we’ve been watching you. So increasingly desperate to get back that little trinket. You’re ripe for the picking.”
This is a waste of time. I won’t leave behind my life for seven years, and they obviously won’t budge on the terms. It makes sense in a fucked-up kind of way. Magic can be a fickle beast, so it likes rules. The more people who believe the rule, the more powerful the magic it can summon. Seven is a number with significance in more cultures than I care to count off the top of my head. “Enough of this. I’m done. I’ll find another way.”
I’m in the process of turning away when their voice stops me cold. “Normally we prefer payment up front, but I’m willing to massage the rules for you.” A pointed pause. “And the time that passes in the human world during those years will be negligible.”
I know better than to engage with this, but knowing better doesn’t stop me from eyeing them. “How negligible?”
“It’s not a strict ratio, but at best guess, you’ll be gone a few hours to a few weeks. A month at most.”
There are plenty of theories that time moves differently in the various realms, but I hadn’t realized how differently. “I’m not sure I feel like answering questions on why I’ve aged seven years in a few days.”
They sigh. “You’re being intentionally difficult. A side effect of the magic saturation that causes the time difference is that people in my realm age slower. As I said, it’s not an exact science, but you’ll be just as young and beautiful as you are now.” Again, they appraise me in a way that makes my body go tight.
I have a varied history of partners, but the truth is danger is my favorite aphrodisiac. It’s why I keep choosing people like Kristoff, who are bad for me. Things are hot and sexy right up until they go sideways, and they always go sideways. Letting desire override my common sense is what got me into this mess to begin with.
Ramanu does that strange listening thing again. As far as I’m aware of, bargainer demons don’t have much in the way of telepathy, but most of my information is from my grimoire, and my great-grandmother had other priorities that weren’t fully categorizing them as a people. She was only interested in Ramanu. It’s entirely possible bargainers have more powers than I can begin to guess at. “A counterproposal.”
“You’re countering your own proposal.”
They shrug. “You’re attending the Shadow Market.”
I consider denying it, but ultimately it’s not a secret. “And?”
“I’ll attend with you. The bargain is on the table for the duration.”
I narrow my eyes. “What’s your deal, Ramanu?” Their name feels strange on my tongue…good. I give myself a mental shake. I cannot afford to let desire cloud my judgment. Not again. “Why are you so invested in me taking this bargain? As you said, there are plenty of other desperate humans who would jump at the chance.”
“Wait and see, little witch. Wait and see.”
Chapter 2
Ramanu
I like this little witch.
Lenora.
Her magic bites the air with her frustration and anger. She does a good job of keeping it locked down, but I’m particularly sensitive to this sort of thing thanks to my gargoyle parent. I like the feel of it against my skin. I might not be able to see in the strictest sense of the word, but my magic gives off energy that paints a picture all the same. Lenora’s magic twists against mine, little flickers of sensation that make my skin prickle. It makes me want to take a bite out of her.
I can practically hear Azazel’s smooth voice in my ear, snarling at me to close the deal. He’s much kinder than our last leader, but that’s not saying much. We bargainer demons are all about the result, and the result is that our very power comes from engaging in bargains. Azazel is invested in all our people increasing their power, even as he works to maximize the overall power of our territory in our realm.
It’s not often we can engage in a bargain with a magical human. They tend to solve their own problems. Lenora agreeing to my bargain would be a significant boost—one I’ll need if I’m required to continue babysitting the humans Azazel sent with the other territory leaders as part of the master plan he refuses to explain.
The dragon’s bride alone seems to want me dead, because she keeps using me to taunt her husband.
It’s amusing, so I allow it, but it would be helpful if I weren’t worried about him ripping out my throat when I take my jokes too far. With Lenora’s bargain, I would get a magical boost that would put me nearly on Sol’s level. Even the playing field, so to speak. I have no interest in the bride—nor she in me—but I’m partial to living.
Plus, the timing of this couldn’t be more perfect. I’ve never had cause to attend the Shadow Market. It’s legendary even in our realm, a holdover from a time when our people and the human realm mingled more freely. Some of my people manage to time it right and attend every year, but I’ve never quite managed it.