Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 292(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
I don’t move away though they’re entirely too close for comfort. “I have no intention of murdering anyone.” At least not until I find out what happened to my mother, and only then if there’s someone specifically responsible for her death.
“That’s a rather large caveat you’re not saying.” They snort. “Listen, I like you, so—”
“You don’t even know me. We’ve been talking for less than five minutes.”
They ignore my interruption. “I notice you’re not jumping at the chance to return to bargainer demon territory. I wonder why that is.”
They’re right. I should have agreed the second they offered, just like I should have taken Azazel up on his offer. “If I come back, is anyone going to tell me the truth about what happened?”
“Unlikely. Everyone has secrets, and I expect Azazel has a particular reason for keeping this one close to his chest.”
That’s what I thought. Still, my whole goal was to go back and find answers. I don’t know why I’m hesitating. “Am I going to be locked up for the next seven years?”
Ramanu shrugs. “Who can say? That castle is so wily. It has a mind of its own.”
I couldn’t pick the lock in the three days I was there before the auction. That doesn’t bode well for me being able to do it in the future. If I accept Ramanu’s offer, then I’ll be stepping into an even more complicated cell. At least here, I have free range and a chance to escape.
The logic feels flimsy at best, but I ignore it.
“No, thanks.”
“Thought you might say that.” Their grin is a little mean. They flick their fingers and a ring appears between their claws. “Take this. If you change your mind, hold it and say my name and I’ll come.”
“Ramanu.”
We both jump as Bram climbs in through my window. I have nothing to feel guilty for, but I can’t help scooting away from Ramanu. Those few extra inches between us don’t feel like much with Bram glowering down at us. He’s halfway across the room, but it doesn’t seem to make a difference. I’m not scared of him, but I’m not a fool; of course I’m wary.
Ramanu, on the other hand, seems unconcerned that Bram is looking at their throat like he wants to rip it out with his teeth. They reach over and twine a lock of my hair around their claws. Bram is so focused on that hand, he doesn’t see them slip the ring into my other. “I came to check in on the well-being of Azazel’s human.”
“She’s not his.”
I don’t understand Bram. There are times when it feels like I can almost read his thoughts, when I feel a connection deeper than skin and bone, but then he turns around and does something to act against the little box I instinctively put him into. The man glowering at us is not the same man who offered me his throat without reservation. He’s dangerous.
I start to sit up. “Bram—”
“It’s fine.” Ramanu releases me and rises with a fluid grace that sets alarm bells pealing through my head. “Bram may be reckless, but he’s not a fool. To lay a finger on me is to directly challenge Azazel. He can’t afford to do that because he won’t win.”
The comment should fill me with relief, but all I feel is anger at the defeat that flickers over Bram’s expression. I might not know which way is up and which way is down in this current situation, but I know a shit-starter when I see one. Ramanu might technically be here to check on me, but they’re also here to stir the pot. That’s the last thing I need. “I think you should go.”
“Ah, but I haven’t finished telling you everything you need to hear.” They hold up two long crimson fingers tipped with black claws. “One. Bram didn’t want to take the deal, but he had no choice. None of his people will have him. They believe he’s cursed and that anyone who gets close to him will become victim to the curse.” Bram makes a choked noise, but they ignore him. “Two. Azazel understands your motives for being here, but make no mistake—you are expected to hold to your end of the bargain. If you do so for the agreed upon time, he is prepared to tell you everything you want to know about your mother.”
It’s a low blow. Azazel knows exactly how desperately I want that information, so of course he’s willing to hold it over my head to ensure good behavior. Unfortunately for him, I wouldn’t know good behavior if it bit me in the ass.
Considering Ramanu offered to see me to the bargainer territory earlier, it’s easy enough to read between the lines of this offer. If I go with them, there’s a decent chance Azazel will never answer my questions. I grit my teeth. I will get answers. I’m so close, it makes me a little sick to my stomach.