Page 84 of The Little Shop of Curiosities, The Music Box Part 2

Issac’s eyes widen, and he stumbles back a pace. “How did you do that?”

The scent of singed twine drifts around me as I follow his gaze, looking up to find scorch marks on the rope and several of the flowers burned to ashes. Unfortunately, although the surge of my magic damaged my bonds, it hadn’t quite been enough to free me, leaving me still dangling from the hook. But at least my wrists aren’t burning anymore.

“Untie me,” I say flatly. “Then we can figure out which one of us is more powerful. My guess is it won’t be you, considering you had to sucker punch me with magic when my back was turned.”

“Shut the fuck up before I sew your mouth shut like I did that bitch of a mother of yours.”

I stare at him calmly. “I’m going to make sure you pay for every moment of pain you caused her. Just so you know.”

“I said, shut the fuck up!”

“Or what?” I tilt my head and study his flashing eyes and ruddy skin. “Why don’t you tell me why you weren’t supposed to kill me? Exactly who wanted me alive?”

His eyes flick to the floor at my feet and I have my answer.

“The demon?” I stare at him, trying to keep the sudden sense of dread from leaching into my expression. I can’t afford to show any weakness right now. “The demon wanted me alive?”

“He’s always retained an awareness, even after Constance tricked him into that trap.”

“Tricked, or kicked his ass with magic?” I can’t help the words that tumble from my lips acerbically.

“Fuck you,” Issac spits.

“No, thank you.”

“I came here looking for Vivienne and her parents thirty years ago. I was going to kill them and take what was rightfully mine, but instead I heard his voice.”

“The demon?” I frowned. “You could hear him?”

Issac gives a callous smile. “I was chosen. Because he could sense my power.”

Sensed your stupidity more like, I think to myself, but choose to keep my mouth shut.

“He wants to be released, to be free, and he needs Constance’s bloodline to open the trap, but he also needs someone powerful enough to wield his magic. Demon magic.” He looks down at his own outstretched hands. “He whispered in my ear, taught me his language, his secrets, so that I could free him. He promised to serve me, to bestow upon me powers beyond my wildest imagination.”

“He’s a demon, not a genie,” I snap. “Surely you must know he lies.”

Issac peels back his lips and growls at me again. “Do you think me stupid?”

It is so hard to bite my tongue and not answer that question.

“I know demons lie, but I am of Cordelia’s bloodline. Her control of him extends to me. Only I can command him.”

I don’t believe that for a second, but I’m not going to argue semantics with him. “So you free him and he promises to serve you. Where do I come into this?”

“He wants you.”

“Excuse me?”

“He didn’t say why.” Issac shrugs. “But he knew.”

“Knew what?”

“He knew the moment you came into being. When you were conceived in a dirty fumble upstairs with the musician lodger while her parents slept in the room down the corridor. I wanted to put a knife through her belly and be done with it, but he insisted you had to be born. He wouldn’t share his knowledge with me until I promised.” Issac’s mouth curved. “An agreement I will shortly no longer be bound to.”

“What do you mean?” my eyes narrow.

“The second I release him and he comes fully under my control, I will have no need to bargain with him. He will serve me whether he wants to or not. Whatever plans he has for you will be null and void. I’ll put a knife through your belly and be done with your whole bloodline.”