“One that I’ll ask for at a later time, or…I can leave.”
Edward growled, and the other lions of the pride reacted to their king’s roar.
“I don’t like being blackmailed,” King Edward snarled. “How can I be sure your favor won’t jeopardize my pride, mate, or family?
“I give you my word; my favor won’t involve any of those. It’s more of my enemies will be your enemies type of thing. I’ll even throw in my services to help convince the Emperor,” Everett replied haughtily.
Edward eyed Talon and then me, weighing his decision before nodding resolutely at Everett. “As long as it doesn’t jeopardize or harm my pride, mate, or family, I agree to your terms. The pride will assist you as needed.”
“Excellent,” Everett beamed, his satisfaction clear.
My stomach churned. What the hell did we just agree to?
“Now, clear the center,” Everett commanded, taking control of the room. He gestured grandly, and with a flick of his wrist, a dazzling sigil appeared on the floor, glowing ominously.
Raising his hands, he began chanting in a resonant tone that filled the room. The words were foreign and mystical, and the growing wind and sporadic flashes of light added a surreal quality to the scene.
With a final, emphatic shout, Everett directed a bolt of lightning from his palms into the sigil. The energy erupted in a spectacular display.
A loud crack echoed as a blinding light momentarily swallowed the room. Shielding my eyes, I braced against the unknown.
When the light dimmed, and I dared to open my eyes, I was stunned. In the center of the now-quiet room stood a man whose appearance was the stuff of fantasies—undeniably captivating and alarmingly powerful.
He was clad in a meticulously tailored black leather jacket adorned with intricate silver designs that looked very much like the design on the ground. The jacket was open, revealing a tight ash-gray shirt that contrasted sharply with his olive-toned skin, tinged with a reddish hue.
His hair, deep charcoal with fiery red streaks, fell tousled around his shoulders, framing a chiseled face with a strong jawline and high cheekbones. His eyes, piercing fiery orange with flecks of molten gold, captivated and held an untold power. This had to be the demon emperor.
It was those eyes that now scanned the room. He eyed each of us, and I could see confusion and annoyance with each glance.
“Your majesty,” Everett said with a bow as the man’s gaze finally landed on the witch.
“Everett Magi,” the man bit out through clenched teeth. “You swore you’d never summon me again.”
Everett held up a finger. “I said I wouldn’t unless I need your assistance. And I need your assistance.” His posture relaxed, and a tiny smirk crossed his face. “It’s not that bad to see me, is it Oz? It’s been what, sixty years?”
I furrowed my brow in confusion. No way, Everett was sixty. He looked barely twenty-one. And wait—the emperor’s name was Oz? This seemed almost too surreal.
“Sixty years is nowhere near enough. I should’ve never…. What do you want, Rett,” Oz replied, his annoyance escalating.
“My associates here need a favor,” Everett stated, gesturing to Talon and me.
Oz glanced at us briefly before turning back to Everett. “You brought me here for a favor? I should kill you where you stand. The answer is no,” he responded, anger seeping into his voice.
“Please,” Talon implored, stepping forward. “Just take us to our mate.”
Oz scowled. “Mate? What does your mate have to do with me?”
“We’re the duša of Dominic Billings,” I said, moving to stand beside Talon.
Oz’s scowl deepened. “Dominic, who? Don’t know anyone by that name. Sorry.” he muttered dismissively and turned back to Everett. “I don’t want you ever summoning—
“Domi’zel,” I interrupted, stepping in front of the emperor. I felt terrible using Dominic’s true name, something I had promised never to reveal, but I was desperate to get to him.
“What did you say?” Oz asked, disbelief filling his words.
I straightened and locked my eyes with the stunning, scary man. “We’re the duša of Domi'zel,” I stated firmly.
Oz’s reaction was immediate. “Domi'zel? Shit… the fucker found his mates,” he exclaimed, punching his fist into his palm.
