He sneered at that. Then he turned his head to the left, focusing on something I couldn’t see.
“I know,” he said. “But if I kill her quickly, it’s too easy.”
I had a pretty good feeling there was no invisible person talking to Daimonion. He truly was insane.
Daimonion shook his head again at whatever he saw and then turned back to me. His eyes widened as if he was surprised to see me standing in front of him. Then they glinted with barely suppressed rage.
“Since your lover hunted me like prey, I think it’s only fitting that I huntyou, witch. So Vassago knows just how much you suffered before you died. When he learns of your terror and pain at my hands, while he was busy elsewhere? I think that may finally break him,” he said conversationally. “What do you think?”
I didn’t say a word, but Daimonion was right. This would push Vas over the edge.
He laughed at me. Then he took a few steps back.
“Run, human.”
I wouldn’t let him chase me down like prey. Wouldn’t let him enjoy my murder. If I was going to die here, I’d do it facing him.
He raised one eyebrow. “Bravery will not save you. Run, or I will torture and kill you over hours.”
I swallowed. “Seems rigged to me. You’ve got those fancy wings. You want an actual challenge? Chase me on foot. It will be much more fun.” For him.
He studied me. “You think this will buy you time?”
“I think you want to make sure Vas knows you hunted me. It’s not all that hard to show up at my apartment, dump me here, and kill me.”
He pondered it. Then he glanced to the side at whatever he could see. He had some kind of silent argument, and I shivered.
“You believe this will allow you to outrun me.” He smiled. Then he leaned forward and grabbed my hand.
My wrist broke with a snap.
My entire body turned instantly hot, and my stomach swam. I dropped to my knees, leaned over, and threw up.
Daimonion wrinkled his nose. “Disgusting human.”
My wrist had gone numb, until I attempted to move my arm. Each time I did, the pain stabbed through me.
“Thank me for not breaking your ankle instead,” Daimonion hissed.
“Th-thank you,” I managed to get out.
“You’re most welcome.” He gave me a pleased smile and took a step back. “Your manners are pretty enough that I will even allow you a head start.”
“Thank you,” I said again, hoping to keep him in his good mood. I stumbled to my feet, kicking off my flip-flops. And then I turned and sprinted into redcap territory.
My wrist howled, and I dry heaved. But I pounded down the street, my breath sawing in and out of my lungs, my throat so dry it burned.
Daimonion was laughing as he counted to whatever number he’d chosen behind me. He could kill me in an instant, could leap into the sky and fall on me, ripping me to shreds. Hell, he could light me up with demon fire.
The fact that he wanted to play with me, wanted to make my death last…
It was my only shot.
“Run, little bartender. Enjoy your last taste of freedom before you die,” he called, before counting once more.
Asshole.
I pumped my legs faster. I only had one shot at this.
