And I knew this wasn’t my end. I was bargaining my soul, but I was betting on the people who loved me. There would be a way to break this, a way to change it, to get my soul back. There were too many gods and creatures who had my back. There were too many mystics, and books of magic, and indomitable, clever sisters to think that my soul being in a demon’s hands was going to be anything but temporary.
I could do this. Take this hit and save Ben.
It was no different than taking a bullet in the line of duty.
This was my choice. Maybe even the choice the seer and witch had known I’d have to make. And I was making it.
“Oh, Delaney, how you spin and twist. So very prettily.”
I was back to wishing for my TASER again.
Bathin folded his hands in front of him, thick fingers slotting neatly in place. “You don’t have to work so hard to convince yourself. You made your decision the moment I brought you here. See?” he said to Dad. “I told you she’d come around to see things my way. You underestimated her.”
“I have never underestimated any of my daughters.” Dad raised a hand and rubbed at the back of his neck, then shook his head. “Give us a moment, Bath, you owe me.”
To my utter astonishment, Bathin nodded, gave me a wink, and then moved out of the range of my vision.
He might be standing right there listening to us and I’d never know since I couldn’t move my head to look around. But Dad’s gaze followed him, somewhere off behind my right shoulder, and he seemed satisfied with where the demon had taken himself off to.
“He owes you something?” I asked.
Dad shrugged. “We’ve been together for over a year. All we’ve had to do to pass the time is talk. He’s…he’s not quite like most of the demons I’ve met. That doesn’t in any way mean I trust him. But he is unusual among his kind.”
“Would you let him into Ordinary if he asked?”
“And have to clean up after the messes he’d continually make?” He chuckled, a dry sound I had forgotten and missed. “I’m not a masochist.”
“So, here’s what I can tell you: don’t trust him. Always question his good will. He’s not a trickster, not like Crow, or Odin, or the others. Not defined by his power like a god, not bound to his nature like a creature. All demons can be bound and controlled. All demons can be used by those who wield dark magic, blood magic, shadow rituals. Demons and gods do not suffer one another’s company, he is right about that. Many other creatures won’t suffer the company of a demon either.
“I can’t tell you what losing your soul will feel like, honey. I don’t know what it will do to you. I was dying when I gave him mine, so it was painless, a relief. And in all the time we’ve been locked here together, he hasn’t caused me pain I couldn’t bear.
“But this I can tell you. He can’t be killed, not easily or without a price. He can be bound and contained, again there is a price. A sacrifice. There are rites. Talk to Rossi. He knows. He has books, ancient things, spells that will lash a demon down and hold them for eternity. But you must retrieve your soul before you bind him, Delaney. Living without it, living with your soul at the whim of a darkness like him will also come at a price you will pay every second of every day.”
I expected to see Bathin again. Expected him to want to stop my dad from telling me all the things he knew about demons. Specifically how to take him down. But he didn’t show up.
“There are rumors of how to steal a soul away from a demon. I’ve never put my hand on any of those things, but the books, the old books would give you a place to start. I know you can find a way. If not you, then Myra. She’s always had a head for these kinds of puzzles.”
“She loves you,” I said. “She misses you. She loves the books you left to her. It makes her proud to know you believed she should have them.”
He smiled and I could almost feel the warmth of his love on my skin. “Good. That’s good. And Jean?”
“Misses you like crazy. She loves you too. She’s dating a baker.”
His smile turned into a grin. “She’s always had a thing for men who work with their hands. Is she happy?”
“She loves the job so much. You know how she’s always sort of rolled with whatever has come her way. The dating thing…I’ve never seen her so mixed up over someone. Mixed up in a good way. And he’s a great guy. I know he cares for her.”
“Tell her I love her and I approve of whatever makes her heart happy. Tell them both that. Myra and Jean.”
“I will.”
“And you? Are you happy?”
I felt the blush rush to my cheeks. “Ryder and I are dating.”
“Ryder Bailey? It’s about time you two came around.” He nodded. “I approve. I’ve always liked that boy. Always thought you two made a good team.”
“Thanks, Dad.” I exhaled, feeling a sort of loose happiness from hearing that. I knew he had liked Ryder, but there was something comforting hearing it directly from him.”
