The Mistilteinn Dagger. Better known as the Dagger of Truth.Samael’sdagger.
I was going to have to give it a better name, I thought distantly as I watched the demon. Maybe “DOT” for short? Something cute like “Misty”?’
My heart was flipping as fast as the dagger Samael was throwing through the air. I cleared my throat. “Um.”
He caught the dagger and turned his gaze to my face. I shivered. My knives were within reach, but it would take me a second to get to them. And I was injured. I was betting Samael could kill me before I could even arm myself.
He tilted his head as if reading my mind. “You saved my second’s life, which is why I won’t kill you for this.”
Well that was kind of him. Something dark stirred deep within me. Something that didn’t take kindly to his death threats. I frowned as I shoved it back down behind my shields where it belonged.
“In fact,” he continued, “since I like the idea of you being able to tell exactly who is lying during the course of this investigation, you may borrow it. But you owe me.” His stare hardened. “Say it.”
“I owe you.” My voice was hoarse, but triumph burned into his eyes as the vow slid into place. My hand burned and I cursed, turning it over. A black slash appeared on my inner wrist, our new bond made visible. It was now impossible to use this hand without flashing a demon mark— both sides showcasing my stupidity.
The demon was tying me to him in all kinds of ways.
That thought was enough for me to struggle to sit up further. I hissed out a breath and the demon watched me, his face blank.
“You could help me, you know,” I snapped, and his eyes glittered.
“Why would I do that?”
“So I can get back on my feet and get out of here?”
He waved the hand holding my dagger. “You have no need to do that. You’re staying here now. Where I can keep an eye on you.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Yes, it almost was.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. He narrowed his back. His scary look was better than mine. So I backed off. Let him think he’d won.
Mom had always told me that there were some people you couldn’t argue with. Not because they were right, but because they were in positions of authority. That meant that you had to be sneaky.
Samael’s lush lips curled in the hint of a smile. My every atom stood at attention. He glanced at the nightstand next to the bed, and my pile of weapons.
“Butterfly knives?” he asked mildly, and I squinted my eyes at him.
“They look cool, and if I pull them out and twirl them around, most would-be muggers decide they have something they need to do elsewhere.”
He gave me an absent nod at that and leaned closer. The scent of him engulfed me and a tiny part of my brain urged me to close my eyes and simply bask in it. “Did you enjoy fooling me the night you stole this dagger?”
I met his gaze, my fight or flight instinct failing me as I froze. “What do you mean?”
“Oh I remember you, little witch. It took me some time to match your scent, but discovering my dagger helped me connect the dots.”
I couldn’t have him connecting too many of those dots. Other people had helped me get my hands on that dagger. “How’s Agaliarept?” I blurted out, and his expression went blank once more.
“It remains to be seen. You saved his life.”
I shook my head. My magic hadn’t worked. Even the few sparks I had didn’t help me against the beast.
“Tell me,” the demon purred, “who put the suppression spell on your magic and why?”
I gaped at him, and the shock was enough to startle me out of whatever lustful thoughts I’d been having about the arrogant, bossy bastard sprawled in the armchair in front of me.
Well, almost.
