She winked as if that would make what she’d said any less terrifying.
“Live mortals!” a deep voice bellowed from over by the pool, and Rage and I both froze.
Pivoting, my gaze fell upon a giant of a man stepping out from between two columns. He dropped the black cloak he’d been wearing, and my jaw dropped.
The dude was an Adonis. The man looked like he was chiseled from stone. Rock hard muscles strained under his tan skin. He wore a shimmering gold speedo and nothing else. His dark hair feathered out, just kissing his shoulders.
I swallowed hard.
“Technically, we’re shifters,” Rage growled.
I hadn’t known my mate long, but his tone reeked of jealousy. He probably didn’t like the speedo-check I’d just done.Oops. This wouldn’t be the best time to get technical and mention I wasn’tjusta shifter but apparently a half high mage as well. Best to keep the conversation brief.
The Keeper, at least I assumed this dude was the Keeper of Souls, grinned at Rage. “Whatever, you’re alive. I haven’t had live bodies here in ages! Whom do I owe for this wonderful gift?”
That could be taken in a lot of ways—a lot of creepy ways.
I gulped. “Surlama said you guys were friends—”
As I spoke, his upper lip pulled back into a sneer. “Surlama is a con artist and a hag. She’s screwed me out of a lot of souls over the years. I refuse to owehera debt of gratitude.”
Wonderful. Of course they weren’t friends.
“Well, I brought you something.” I pulled the jewel Grandpa had given me and held it up. “A trade.”
The Keeper dude went very,verystill. “Who gave you that?”
He was practically drooling, and I wondered what made this gem so special. Judging by the wealth all around us, he didn’t need more stones or crystals. He crossed the space, and as he drew closer, I shifted my weight from foot to foot.
After forcing a swallow, I replied, “The Mage Master of Spirit. Honor Midnight died like … an hour and a half ago, and we want him back. I’ve come to bargain for him and—”
Plucking it from my grasp, he shivered and popped it into his mouth and thenswallowedit! “Deal,” he said with a grin. “When you get back to the surface, you may call for Honor, and I’ll let him go.”
Uh … that was easy. Maybe even too easy. I looked at Rage, who was frowning at the dude.
“Uh, the gem you just swallowed was to secure our release as well,” I said, my stomach twisting uneasily. “I hope you didn’t misunderstand—”
“No, that wasn’t the deal.” The Keeper wagged a finger at me. “You said you came to trade for Honor Midnight’s release.”
“But you didn’t even let her finish speaking!” Rage snapped. “How is she supposed to call for Honor if she’s stuck down here? We need you to send us back to the mortal realm.”
“Sorry, pretty boy, the soul stone bought your brother’s release from this realm, not yours. And not hers.”
“You mean you won’t let us out of here?” My voice cracked as anger bubbled up inside of me.
He shrugged, clearly unperturbed by our distress. “Unless you have any more soul stones?”
Soul stone? What in the hell was that? Negotiating with swindlers was not in my skillset. At all.
“There must be something else you want! Blood of a virgin?” I extended my finger, and Rage swatted my hand away from the Keeper while glaring at me.
The Keeper laughed. “You’re both adorable. But what use is blood in the Realm of the Dead? Even yours, Spirit Walker.”
Okay…
“What about a favor? He’s going to be the alpha king one day.” I pointed to Rage, who narrowed his eyes at me. I wanted to snap at my mate, but my frustration wasn’t with him. Still, I wouldn’t mind a little help.
The Keeper grinned. “I have no use of a mortal favor. Now, if you have someone to take your place, I’d allow that and let you free.”
