My fingers slipped into a crater on his forearm, and I glanced down.
More of that lava-like substance churned beneath his skin.
“Are you carrying around Hell inside of you? What is that?”
“That is what an eternity in the dark does to you.”
He yanked me away from my inspection and tossed me over his shoulder.
“Shouldn’t you be more worried about Harvest than me?” I asked, hanging upside down. “The guy’s after your throne. How are you just letting that happen?”
The Devil exhaled. “Silence. I’m already annoyed by his appearance—and by your inability to be quiet. The sound of your voice irritates me.”
I laughed. “Says the one who came for me. Just tell me… Are you here to kill me?”
“Why do I need to kill something that’s already bound to fade from existence?” he said. “I have no desire to kill any of you. It’ll be far more satisfying to watch you lose everything you fought for in the end—as the story goes.”
My stomach sank into my boots.
That was crueler. But it wouldn’t happen. My family would handle it, just like they always did.
“Where’s Harvest?” I asked, already picturing him going after my family—slaughtering them one by one.
The queasiness clawing at my guts made my eyes cross for a moment.
“He’s gone.”
My shoulders loosened, and I sagged against the Devil’s back.
There it was again—the scent of toasted marshmallows.
Hades, no.A monster couldn’t smell like such a delicious snack, could it? No way. The blood rushed to my head from hanging upside down. I probably smelled things that weren’t there.
Still… the Devil’s presence had kept Harvest away.
At least there was one positive in that wildly unfortunate situation—my family was safe.
As for me?
I just needed to hang tight until my powers returned. Then I’d pulverize the Devil into the ground and make my escape.
I kicked my feet and laughed, excitement blooming in my chest.
He adjusted me on his shoulder.
“Quiet. Your giggling pains my ears.”
Well, in that case—
I cackled louder.
Chapter Five
Kara
My powers hadn’t returned.
I was still slung over the Devil’s shoulder, and all the blood had rushed to my face and head, triggering a killer headache.
