“Eva,” I said in a low murmur. “You can’t do this. You have no idea what she’ll demand for you to do. It could be anything. And I do meananything.”
She threw back her shoulders and nodded. “I know. And I’m willing to make that bargain. This is my soul, Caim. My life. I can’t let myself become the monster she says I’ll become. I can’t turn into the very thing you hate.”
“Eva.” My heart twisted. “I would never hate you, even if you lost yourself to the darkness. I’d find a way to get through to you.”
“I’ll make the agreement,” Eva called out to River, ignoring my words. Despair swirled through me as the scent of magic zipped through the air. It was too late. The deal had been done. River turned back toward her, smiling.
“Well, then. Your agreement is accepted. But remember this, Eva. When I come calling—and I will—you must answer my request. You will have no other choice.”
“Yep, I’ve got it. Now tell me where the cure is.”
“I can only tell you what I’ve heard. The new court is hiding out near Central Park.”
My eyes narrowed. “Central Park is huge. You’ll have to be more specific than that.”
She shrugged and disappeared through the trees. “That’s all I know.”
Phenex and Bael rumbled with anger. Fisting my hands, I stalked after her, but branches swooped in to block the path.
“That doesn’t help us at all,” I called after her. “You don’t know a damn thing. Take back your deal.”
“All I said was that I have an idea of where they are. I never promised more than that.” Her voice whispered through the trees. “Now, you must go, Caim of the First Legion. Good luck.”
13
Eva
My mind felt numb. Devoid of all thought. Caim’s comforting hand on my back was the only thing that cut through it all. My world had literally been flipped upside down. Reality as I knew it was on the brink of shattering.
I didn’t think I’d be able to pick up the pieces again.
“Come on, Eva.” Surrounded on all sides by demon bodyguards, I left the hidden fae court behind to climb into the car idling on the curb. The return trip to Caim’s loft was nothing more than a blur.
Time jerked by, and I was sitting on the sofa. I didn’t register the walk up the stairs. Caim settled in beside me while the rest of the Legion scattered. Some of the demons went up to the roof. The others decided to swing byInfernalto check all was well.
Caim’s firm hand settled on my knee. I blinked at the heat that flowed from his touch, soothing my tired heart. “Will I be that warm when I turn into a demon?”
His hand tightened. “I’m not going to let that happen. We’ll find you the cure.”
“I’m already halfway there, Caim,” I said in a whisper. “You heard what River said. All it would take is one little thing. I’ve already blacked out once. I bet I almost snapped then. That’s why I was acting so weird and can’t remember a damn thing.”
“I won’t let it happen,” he said more insistently. “We’ll find the new fae court, and we’ll get that cure. You’re not going to become one of them.”
I lifted my eyes to his face. So much fire and determination flickered in his intense eyes. At any moment, I could become the thing he hated most, and we both knew it. A demon without control.
“And what if we can’t stop it from happening? What then, Caim?”
“That isn’t an option.”
“Except it is.” My hand lifted toward him, but then I pulled it back to my side. “I’ll be just like the cult members. The ones you and the Legion are hellbent on destroying. You’ll have to destroy me, too. Won’t you?”
A torturous expression crossed his face. “I wouldneverhurt you, Eva. No matter what you become.”
“What if I killed someone? What if I went on some kind of rampage through the New York streets? You said it before. Most demons don’t have consciences. They’re driven by the monster within them. I’m going to become the very thing you’re fighting so hard against.” My voice dropped to a whisper. “You’ll hate me.”
Darkness filled his eyes. He wound his hand around the back of my neck and gripped me tight. “I could never hate you, Eva. Even if the darkness takes you.”
“But you’d have to stop me.” Tears leaked out of my eyes. “You couldn’t let me run around hurting innocent humans. That wouldn’t be right, and you know it.”
