Queen (Bloodline Vampires 3)

“I don’t take people. I make deals.” He sounds bored. His tone is a lie. From the careful way he holds himself, he’s half a breath from attacking us. His turns his attention to me. “I’ll have your answer now.”

All this mess and I feel like I’m just digging in further. I can’t say yes. I’m not sure what he’ll do if I say no. “I—”

“I’d like to propose a new bargain,” Grace cuts in.

Azazel’s interest sharpens on her. “How forward of you.”

“I’m just that kind of girl.” Her smile is a challenge. “You help Mina get her men back. I’ll pay the price.”

He sighs. “What do you think you can offer that would replace a half-seraph? You’re hardly a catch, darling.”

“Don’t call me darling.” She straightens. “I’m the last of the Cel Tradat family. I might only be human, but that means something, even to a monster like you. My family has a long history with the people of your realm. Don’t try to pretend securing me in a bargain isn’t a coup.”

“Calling me names is not the way to get what you want.” He stalks forward, darkness flowing around him. It’s enough for me to realize how tightly leashed he kept himself up to this point. He’s not even trying now, though he’s managed to get control of his form. Either that or there’s not enough light for his shadow to betray him.

“Mina won’t accept your deal. I will. That already makes me the better bet.”

“Hmmm.” He glances at me, expression shuttered. “You’re probably more trouble that you’re worth at this point. Not to mention I’ll have to suffer through Wolf attempting to summon me repeatedly to demand you back.” Azazel shakes his head. “Very well, let’s discuss terms.”

I can’t tell whether Grace looks victorious or sick to her stomach. She lifts her chin. “Rescue Malachi, Rylan, and Wolf, and kill Mina’s father in the process. Then I’ll go with you.”

He chuckles, the sound low and unamused. “You presume you’re worth that much, last Cel Tradat or no. Pick one.” He pauses. “And you will pay up front.”

That snaps me out of my daze. “No. You’re not going to take her before you rescue them.” Seven years under my father’s tender care? Unacceptable. “You should rescue them simply because Wolf is a friend.”

“I’m a demon, little seraph. I don’t have friends.”

“How sad for you.” Grace shakes her head. “But she’s right. What’s the point in saving them if they’re broken by the time you do? That’s a shitty deal.”

“Ladies.” He sighs again, even more exasperated this time. “I’m under a deadline and I don’t have the luxury of this song and dance. I will fulfill my end of the bargain within twenty-four hours of time here. The lovely…Grace…will leave now and come to my realm to fulfill her seven years.”

I want to be relieved, but I can’t. I can’t. Too many people are paying debts that should be mine. I press my hands hard to my thighs and look at Grace. “You can’t accept. You don’t even know what you’re walking into. I don’t care if…” I hesitate. I doubt Azazel is ignorant of the fact he made a deal with Grace’s mother, but if by some miracle he is, I’m not going to be the one to out her. I clear my throat. “You can’t pay this price for us. The cost is too high.”

“I’m not doing it for you.” She says it firmly, but not unkindly. “No offense, but I wouldn’t pay this price unless I wanted to.”

There will be no reasoning with her, then. I turn to the demon. “I want assurances that she won’t be harmed or killed, not by your hand or anyone in that realm. If you can’t assure her safety and comfort, she’s not saying yes.”

“Mina—”

It’s hard to be certain, but I think Azazel actually rolls his eyes. “If you weren’t so busy throwing out accusations, I would have already laid out the terms in detail. There are formalities to a demon bargain, after all.”

“If you try to trick her—”

“Your opinion of me is truly staggering.” He shakes his head. “In three days, you will be auctioned off to one of the leaders of the territories in my realm. You will agree to serve them in whatever way they need, but they will not harm, hurt, or otherwise mistreat you, under pain of death.”

I narrow my eyes. “How can you guarantee that? If they harm her, even if they pay a price afterward, she’s still harmed.”

“I’m a demon. My bargains have meanings.” He sounds so exasperated, I almost forget to be scared. Almost.

“Serve them in whatever way they need,” Grace repeats. “You want me to fuck demons.”

“You will not be coerced against your will.”

She snorts. “Nice dodge, but by agreeing to this bargain, I’m agreeing to the sex.”