Fear flickered in the old woman’s eyes as she desperately held on to Ariel’s hands. “Is it too late for me to save my soul?”
Biting her lip, she looked over the woman’s head to Thorn and arched a questioning brow. If anyone would know, he would. Bargaining for such souls was what he did.
She’ll be fine. His voice was loud and clear in her head.As long as she stays clear of Belial.
Ariel inclined her head to him, before she met the woman’s gaze. “Aye, but heed my words. Curse no others. Stay away from Belial and all his ilk in the future.”
Mildred nodded, her eyes wide and fearful. “Anything else?”
“Free me from my curse.”
Scowling, she hesitated. “I don’t know if I can.”
Shadow and Thorn drew closer.
“How was your pact set?” Thorn asked.
“I promised to serve Belial, and do as he said.”
Ariel let out a relieved breath. Well, at least it was a standard deal. “Did you set your pact in writing?”
Nothing could break a signed agreement, especially one signed with blood.
“Nay, milady. I know not how to write. I took a verbal oath to give him my soul upon my death, and then he cut my hand and drank of my blood.”
How stupid are you?
But she stopped herself from sayingthatout loud. She would never understand how humans could be so vengeful and shortsighted.
At least now they knew what they were dealing with. It would be a little tricky, but far from impossible. “Did Belial specify when your death would take place?”
“When the curse is fulfilled.”
Ariel growled low in her throat. It seemed everything hinged upon Valteri’s death. But if they could free Mildred, then maybe they could break the curse, too. “Can we get her free?”
Thorn let out a slow, thoughtful breath. “Maybe.”
Ariel smiled at her. “See. There’s always hope.” Raziel’s words echoed in her head and she chose to believe them.
“Thank you, milady!” Mildred kissed the hem of Ariel’s kirtle.
Ariel pulled her dress away from her. “Please, no need in doing that.”
The old woman smiled gratefully.
Ariel cupped the woman’s cheek in her hand. “But remember that you must take care. Belial won’t take kindly to losing you. He will try and claim you. If all else fails, should you die before we break this curse, if he shows up to claim your soul, then you must invoke the name of Azriel or Adidiron. One of them will come to your aid and take you to your son.”
“Azriel or Adidiron. I won’t forget.”
Shadow snorted disdainfully.
Ignoring him, Ariel smiled, wishing they’d help her, too. But she knew her friends would never turn their backs on this woman.
She touched Mildred’s hand and the old woman’s eyes turned gentle. “I should never have blamed you, milady. You’re truly kind.”
And with that, she rose and scampered off.
Shadow came forward with a sneer twisting his lips. “You just had to give her my father’s name, didn’t you?”
