Personal Demon (Otherworld 8)

"If you wish."

"Oh, I do." He stepped nose-to-nose with me. "Tell our father he doesn't have enough to buy me off. By Cabal law, I am entitled to a seat on the board and stock shares, and my birthright is not for sale. I'm not going anywhere, baby bro. Maybe you don't think I pose much of a threat. With Hector and William around, I knew I didn't stand a chance of sliding into the big seat. But now..." He eased back, teeth bared in a grin. "Now everything's changed."

WHEN CARLOS WALKED away, I didn't follow, but retreated into the room outside Jasper's cell, returning to his window, watching him.

Jasper had no idea what he'd done.

I had no idea what I'd do about it.

"It doesn't matter how hard you stare; unless you've learned a spell for laser-vision, you can't make him disappear."

I turned to see Paige, her face drawn, eyes underscored with dark smudges.

She managed a wan smile. "Still on for lunch?"

"Yes, certainly. I wasn't sure...I thought you might want to be alone."

"I don't. Not anymore." She stepped up to the one-way glass, looking at Jasper. "I had a lot to think about and you have too much on your plate already."

I must have looked worried, because she touched my arm.

"We're okay," she said. "I'm just...struggling with the choice I made."

"You didn't make--"

"Of course I did. I didn't argue very hard. There was no point. Your dad had made up his mind and if I fought it, I'd only be trying to absolve myself of guilt. If I'd had the choice, would I really have said 'Oh, no, please send me instead of the convicted murderer'?" She shook her head. "I just wish we hadn't needed to make that decision. And I have a feeling it's not going to be the last one." A small laugh. "I did say I wasn't going to bother you with it, didn't I?"

"I'd like to hear--"

"Later. After we're away from all this." She swept her hand across the room. A pause, then she said, "I saw Carlos. Did he speak to you?"

"He knows about the deal. He's not taking it."

A slow nod. A moment of silence. "Everything's going to change, isn't it?" she said quietly.

"I don't know."

Her hand slid into mine, fingers entwining with a squeeze. "Whatever happens, whatever you decide, now, later...I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me, Cortez."

I leaned down to kiss the top of her head and murmured, "I hope so."