I’d wasted too much time in that cell, allowing Balores too much time to hurt Lacy. I jumped to Specialized Torture, my host’s heart beating loudly in my ears, as if he could sense my panic in his unconscious state. I was in a long hallway, so dark it was nearly a void. From what I could remember, the offices were at the end of this hall.
As I moved forward, forcing myself to keep a steady pace to not draw too much attention my way, I passed by closed doors that led to rooms outfitted to be each soul’s specialized nightmare. I heard distant screams and groans of pain, but I tuned them out. I was too focused on Balores to pay attention to anything else. I marched down the hall until I reached the office, finding the door cracked and his back to me. Okay, he was here. A quick glance around the office proved that Lacy wasn’t tied up with an apple in her mouth—not that I was actually expecting that—but that didn’t guarantee she was okay. I needed to check on her and ensure she wasn’t hurt. But I needed to lock Balores away first.
As if sensing me, Balores swiveled around, lip curled in a snarl. “Tonkitgrol,” he drawled. “You escaped much faster than I intended. Here for a chat?”
I stiffened. “Uh, yeah. I just, you know, wanted to learn how to torture people…and stuff. Finally take you on as my mentor.” I inwardly cringed. That was so not convincing.
His face was flat. “I advise you to work on improvingyour skills of deception.” He set down the stack of papers in his hands. “I was hoping to catch up on some paperwork before I got to your human pet. But no matter. I suppose this means you can watch me kill her.”
He blinked away without another word.
Shit.Shit, shit, shit.
I closed my eyes.Lacy, Lacy, Lacy.I jumped and found myself back on the surface level. I looked around. I was in the Black Market? Was Lacy here? Why thehellwould she be here? Looking for me, maybe?Shit.
I swung my head around in a panic as I searched for her.
There she was! On the other side of the Market, I spotted her blonde, curly hair.
And her fist as it swung, connecting with Balores’s face. My head was thrown back in a cackle at her boldness. “That’s my girl!” I booked it in her direction.
As I ran, I jumped again, landing behind her and Matthias, whom I hadn’t noticed from afar. Right in time to see him throw blue fire in Balores’s face.Nice. As much as I hated to admit it, that was clever.
They escaped as Balores screamed in agony, hands slapping against his melting face in an attempt to calm the flames.
Now or never.
I hurtled myself forward, throwing my arms around the other demon and jumping us to section R317 of Hell. March seventeenth was Lacy’s birthday. Balores struggled in my arms, thrashing and cursing. The flames sizzled out as we traveled. His elbow got me in the ribs, but I managed to land on solid ground and shove Balores through the bars of his veryown cage. The skin of his face was, well, no longer there. At that moment, I was glad his host was long dead.
“See how you like it,” I spat, chest heaving.
Balores slammed his body against the bars, throwing his arms out like he was going to throttle me. I hopped backward, gave my former torturer a two-finger salute, then closed my eyes. I pictured the outside of Lacy’s apartment and was there seconds later.
Her car was not in the lot. In a dark corner, I stood still with my arms crossed as I waited for her. Eventually, her silver sedan pulled in, taking its normal parking spot.
She got out of her car and headed toward her building. When her apartment door closed, I released a joyous laugh as I fell to my knees on the concrete, nearly kissing the ground. I did it. She was safe.
Matthias was no longer with her, so I considered knocking on her door. To see if she was okay. To hold ice to her knuckles, because I’m sure that punch hurt like hell. But I stayed where I was. She was home and safe.
She had requested I stay away. So, I did.
thirty-six
. . .
Present Day
A few daysafter our failure at the Black Market, I invite Matthias back to my place after work. We still have not been able to procure the amber blood, and we still don’t fully understand the spell.
When we arrive, I go see Hazel, who is stationed in my bedroom. She runs to me as soon as I poke through the bedroom door and rubs her body against my legs. I scoop her up and give her a kiss on the head. I look into her eyes, half-hoping Kit has found his way back in there. Like I always do. But no, it’s only Hazel in there. I kiss her on the head again, happy to have her here.
I set her back down, make sure she has food and water, then find Matthias. He sits on the ground on his laptop while I sit on the couch with mine. I flex my hand after I type in my password, knuckles lightly bruised from connecting with Balores’s face.
“Thanks for helping me with this,” I say for probably the thousandth time.
“No prob.”
“Most helpful coworker award goes to…”
