“Jax Kregger had a lesson to learn for his poor performance and betrayal,” Daegel says. “You know what Caligos do when you betray someone?”
“Jax isn’t Caligos.”
“Isn’t he now?” Daegel arches an eyebrow. “If you get yourself mixed up with Caligos business, you’re to obey our laws. And you’re to be punished by them, too.”
“Is he still alive?”
Daegel flashes me a smile. “No clue. I’ve been too preoccupied to check. That depends how strong he is.” All humor falls away just as quick as it appeared. “Have you slept with him yet? Is that why last night you were distracted while you were with me? Thinking about him?”
“Fuck you,” I spit. “You’ll let him go. Now. And you’ll let me leave, too.”
“I don’t think so,” Daegel says. His eyes slide down from my face to my body. “Unfortunately, things are set in motion and I can’t change their course. Jax will be punished. And Vera D’Argent will finally be handled, too. But I promise, I’ll keep you safe. You’ll be in my possession, cared for well.”
My heart sinks.
“What do you mean? What are going to do to Vera?”
Daegel says nothing.
“Taaslord Noire will end you if something happens to Vera. You know that, right?”
“Noire is not going to be able to do anything once I’m Ezkai General,” Daegel says, cocky and arrogant.
I can’t waste any more time.
Daegel won’t tell me anything, he’s too stubborn and too arrogant for it. I have to save Jax and get to Vera before Caligos take her too.
I loosen the grip on the blade and withdraw it from Daegel’s neck. A pleased smile curls his lips. Not for long, though. His eyes widen and then shutter closed as I press the point into the nape of his neck, cutting off blood circulation, and he falls unconscious.
Hopefully, this gives me enough time to get Jax out of the damn basement.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-ONE
PHOENIX
I rush down the stairs to the first floor of Daegel’s estate.
Ssso, how about that sssoul?Lorca’s hiss inside my mind and the sound of its snakelike voice throws me off for a heartbeat.
We need to set some ground rules here,I snap at Lorca.
My breathing is labored, and my heart is racing.
This is such a mess.
You promised me ssssouls,Lorca says.
I know. And I will deliver on my promise,I reason.I have no time for this shit right now.
I don’t want any sssoul, the trickster god whispers into my ear. I whirl on my heel, but there is nobody next to me. I shiver.I want the dark one’s ssssoul.
Fine. Fine. You can have Daegel’s soul, I say to it in my mind.Later.Now, don’t bother me unless you’re ready to help.
Lorca chuckles and its presence fades from my mind.
Motherfucker.
I look around the first floor, trying to find the stairs that will lead me to the basement. I can’t find any. I pause and listen forany Ezkai voices coming from somewhere in the building, but everything is quiet.
