“And how did this one show up?” I ask, gesturing at the demon. His horns have vanished, leaving him looking relatively normal. “And how quickly can you send him back to where he came from?” I snarl.
Cyfrin chuckles and cocks his head to the side as he stares down Luna. “Your blood was used for the spell?”
“Yes,” she answers hesitantly.
“Mm-hmm,” he hums. He gestures again and some sort of rippling purple mist shimmers around the demon and Luna,revealing the thin golden chain that connects them. He makes eye contact with the demon, who shrugs.
Cyfrin shakes his head. “I’m powerful, but I can’t undo this.” He gestures at the bonds. “This is … unique.”
“What do you mean?” Luna blurts, desperation lacing her tone. “There has to be some way to undo this.” She tugs against the thin golden chain. “This isn’t permanent, is it?”
Cyfrin purses his lips. By the way his eyes flash, I have a feeling he knows more than he’s letting on. I can’t understand why he’s staying quiet, but perhaps I’m reading into things since I’ve only just met the warlock.
Ignoring her questions, he says, “I can’t undo this. You two are bound together until…”
“Until what?” Luna snaps.
“Until…” he replies vaguely. “The magic will know when whatever it’s meant for has been fulfilled.”
The demon flashes a white-toothed smile at Luna. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, love.”
“We can’t go more than like six feet apart!” Luna’s voice raises and she even stomps her foot. “I have a business to run!”
“I’m sorry,” Cyfrin says. “There’s nothing I can do.”
Zav throws up his arms. “What was the fucking point in coming here? You were supposed to help, and all this has accomplished is me not being with my honey bear.”
“This is more complicated than I expected,” the warlock grits out. I get the impression he doesn’t like being questioned.
“Whatever,” Zavier grumbles.
“Whatever?” Luna repeats. “I can’t stay stuck to this—to thismonster.”
“Aw, love.” The demon holds a hand to his heart. “I’m not a monster, I’m a demon. There’s a difference. A monster wouldn’t be this handsome.” He rubs his clean-shaven jaw.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, the magic that binds you prevents you from killing each other.”
Luna’s mouth pops open. “I hadn’t even thought about him killing me!”
The demon grins again, his golden eyes flashing with amusement. “I might be a demon, but I don’t like getting my hands dirty. I have people for that.”
“Your souls are bound,” Cyfrin goes on. “Literally.”
“Like … mates?” Luna asks hesitantly.
“Like mates,” Cyfrin confirms. “It’s why your blood summoned him.”
Luna shakes her head. “No, I refuse.”
“Refuse?” the demon croons. “I’m hurt, Luna. You should feel blessed to have such a handsome mate. You could be cursed with the ugly ginger or the grumpy fuck.”
“Ugly?” Zavier shrieks in a high-pitched tone. “You take that back, you patchwork-looking motherfucker.”
I rub my temples.
Every time I turn around, things get more complicated.
CHAPTER 44
