I tilt my head. “Auri was never going to let you go anyway. Didn’t you know that? You make a deal with him, it’s eternal.”
“No,” Mac says, his voice harsh. “He said if I did the task…” His words trail off. “I don’t remember exactly, but I’m sure he said he would help.”
“He will help, but did he say he would release you?”
Mac’s jaw drops.
“Anyway, I’ll try with the witch again. See if she knows the mage.”
He nods, absentmindedly staring off into space.
Approaching Belinda again, I search my mind for any demon I might call upon who could ease her transition. I’m no friend of Death, and even if I was, I’m not calling them.
I place my hand on her chest again to find that she’s still screaming relentlessly into the void.
Who stole the amulet, Belinda?
Stake my heart. That might work. Please. Mercy!
I will summon help for you if you help me too. Who is the mage who stole your amulet?
Breathing hard, she claws at her hair.Rune. His name is Rune.
Thank you. I’m sorry this happened to you. I’ll call for help.
Please.
Removing my hand, I take a few breaths and close my eyes, summoning a chaos demon who spends most of his time in the human realm.
Clovias.
I repeat his name in a chant, searching through the mental concert of various demons until I feel the summoning tug and his slight annoyance as he appears in the tiny stone cottage, startling Mac.
“What do you want with me, demon,” Clovias asks, his voice snippy and tense. “I was in the midst of a sing-along.”
“Sorry to interrupt your fun. You were the only one I could think of to help.”
“Help what?”
I gesture to the almost dead woman in the chair. “She’s dying and begging for help to transition.”
“So, kill her then.”
I huff. “Quit being an ass. If I could have done that, I would. She’s being kept alive by magic. The magic was stolen. Her body is nearly dead, but her soul is very much stuck here.”
Clovias looks amused as he approaches the rocking chair. He’s in human form, tall and dark skinned and dressed in a stylish white suit, his head shaved. Very nice.
He puts his hand on her chest and steps back with a surprised yelp. “Oh dear. She suffers greatly.”
“Yeah.”
“Who is this?” Mac asks.
“A friend. To help Belinda transition.”
“And who are you?” Clovias asks in a far too flirty tone, flicking his demon tongue out to wet his lips.
“Mymate. So, eyes off.”
