He didn't hesitate.
Wolfe shoved forward, breaking the deadlock, and twisted his blade in one clean, brutal arc.
Thayden's head separated from his shoulders, and his body collapsed, dissolving into smoke before it hit the ground.
The illusion unraveled into nothing. I didn’t think I’d be the only one who wished he’d been real.
The illusion of my family burning faded, too. I was grateful the horrific vision was gone, but I knew it was still a possibility.
Wolfe turned to me, and the rage in his eyes shifted into something else.
Fear. I hated that. He wasn’t supposed to look afraid.
Hold on,his expression seemed to say.Just hold on.
Erethis rose from his throne of bones and descended the dais with unhurried grace. His red marble eyes fixed on Wolfe, and he smiled wide with delight.
"That was not your pet to kill, Prince of Shadows," he said, his tone light and conversational. As though Wolfe had just broken some minor rule at a dinner party.
Wolfe didn't answer immediately.
He stood between me and the demon, sword still drawn, his entire body coiled with barely-restrained violence.
"She failed the trials," Erethis continued, gesturing toward me with one clawed hand. "Which means she isminenow. By the laws of this realm, by the bargain we made." He held up the vial, the light inside pulsing with each word. "Her soul belongs to me."
"Release her," Wolfe hissed, his voice low and deadly.
Erethis laughed. "Oh, how precious." He tilted his head. "You think you cancommandme here? Your Highness. This is the Interstice. You should know better. All that is gained is kept. All that is desired is given at a price.”
Oh Gods, the bastard wanted to put a price on me. As if he hadn’t taken enough.
"Name your price," Wolfe spoke without hesitation.
Erethis' smile faltered, just for a moment. His eyes narrowed, studying Wolfe with renewed curiosity.
"Interesting," the demon murmured. "What shall I demand for the mage’s soul?" He began to circle, his cloak trailing behind him like a sea of shadow. "Blood, perhaps? Do I want the blood of a Fae royal like yourself?” He paused, tapping one claw against his chin.
Wolfe's expression didn't change. "Name. Your. Fucking price."
"Very well." Erethis stopped circling, facing Wolfe directly. "I want a hundred years. A hundred years of your life.”
The words hung in the air like a death sentence.
"Not the years you have left now," Erethis clarified, his smile returning. "Those are already on borrowed time, aren't they,Deathwalker? Death magic eats at you from the inside. I don’t want that. I want the years you weredestinedto have should you rid yourself of your curse." He gestured broadly, as if offering a gift. "A century of existence you'll never see. For her soul. That’s what I want, Wolfe Nightblade."
Horror crashed over me.
No.
The word screamed through my mind even though I couldn't force it past my lips.
A hundred years. A lifetime he'd never live. All because I'd been stupid enough to run, and reckless enough to get caught.
Don't. Please don't do this for me.
I wasn't worth it.
I’m not worth it!
