Page 70 of Devil's Deal

“You can find me anyway,” I point out through gritted teeth.

He chuckles warmly. “Well, that’s because you never go anywhere. Always stuck in this village, so terrified of the evil lurking in the big wide world, aren’t you? Once you’re mine, you’ll be able to walk freely and nothing will harm you. I take care of my belongings, Jaga. Think about it. The things you could learn and see, in this world and the other.”

I swallow, my body shaking harder. It’s time, and I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, and yet, I can’t bring myself to break the moment outside time. As soon as I say no, he’ll cancel the spell, and I don’t even know if my plan has any chances of working.

Most likely, I’ll die.

“The other?” I ask, my voice unsteady, my ears buzzing with the inevitability of what I must do next.

“Mmm, yes. When you’re mine, you’ll be able to tread where gods do. You’ll see it all. Where souls go after death. Where we rule and war with magic. I bet even your unruly powers would grow strong in Slawa. Think of the things you could do.”

My palms squeeze convulsively. Out of all the things he says, this one is the most tempting. To see the land of gods, to claim real magic, unhindered by my lack of power. I entertain it for a moment, breathing shallowly to keep the stench out.

It could all be so easy. My life secure, my future exciting.

I imagine what it would be like to be protected by Woland. The devil crosses between worlds without effort; he rules shadows, can curse people at will and, most importantly, rules time. He’s insanely powerful. I remember even Strzybog deferred to him.

But my breathless excitement evaporates almost at once. I can’t trust his promises, and besides, I would never forgive myself if I let him claim me. Woland owes me a life, Bogna’s life, and if I give him the ultimate power over me, I’ll never become strong enough to avenge her. I’ll always be in his grip. I know that.

It’s just that I am so exhausted, so terrified of death, a part of me desperately wants to believe his lies. It wants the easy way out, but if life taught me anything, it’s that the easy way always comes with an exorbitant price.

“I’ve considered your offer,” I say hoarsely, squeezing the lump of soil in my fist.

I turn my face away from Woland, forcing myself to look into the werewolf’s gaping maw. I’ll have to act quickly the very moment it unfreezes. Even then, it’s touch and go. I don’t think I can win.

“Look me in the eyes when you say it,” he says, a lusty edge riding his voice. “I want to see it on your face. The moment you’re mine.”

I don’t turn. My heart beats faster and faster, so fast, I can’t breathe. And yet, with my last breath, I choke out a quiet laugh before I say, “I’d rather die.”

Woland is silent, and I don’t dare look at him. Sour sweat pours down my face and into my eyes, and my breaths come gasping and ragged, each punctuated by a guttural moan. Any moment now. Any moment, the werewolf will bite.

“Die?” Woland repeats after me, sounding mildly surprised. As if my words haven’t sunk in yet.

I choke down another breath and another, desperately blinking sweat out of my stinging eyes. I have to keep looking. Can’t miss the moment it happens.

“You… You’re rejecting me.”

I’d laugh if I had any air to spare. He sounds almost petulant, like a child told he can’t have honey with his bread. My vision blurs, the gaping maw becoming two, and I blink harshly, letting out a grunt. Oh gods. How long will it take him?

“You’re mad,” he hisses, angry now.

Good. I swallow convulsively, widening my eyes so I see every detail, every little twitch of the beast above me as soon as it comes alive.

“You’re mad if you’d rather be his… the dog’s… than mine.”

I want to ask why he thinks it’s so strange. After all he did, I think my choice is the only reasonable one. But my breath is shallow and hot, my throat burning.

Please, oh, please. Let it end.

But Woland seems intent on making me suffer. “Look at me.”

When I don’t, he growls in fury, his shadows wrapping around my throat and gripping my hair. He turns my head forcefully until our eyes lock, my vision going bright with pain as something twinges in my neck.

“Say it again,” he snarls, his face twisted in wrath. When I stay silent, his shadows plunge inside my mouth and down my throat until I gag. He growls, pulling them out, more shadows enveloping my body where they can reach me under the beast. They press to my skin, as if trying to hold me in place.

He sits up by my head, and I glimpse his naked body. He lowers his head to mine, sinuous like a serpent, his wrathful face filling my vision as he growls.

“Fucking say it!”

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