Page 7 of The Demon's Queen

Ramanu grins. “It would have to be mutually agreed upon.”

Something that won’t happen, given how much effort Azazel went through to trick me and bring me here. “Oh.”

“Of course,” they say silkily, “there are other ways. If the terms of the contract are violated—in your favor, of course—then it’s null and void. The bargainer will be forced to fulfill their side of the deal and return you to your realm.”

My mind trips over their words. I read that contract fully. “There’s nothing in there about him giving me something. And when would it even come into play? The terms were for a lifetime.”

If I weren’t watching Ramanu so closely, I would miss the way their jaw drops. They recover quickly but not quickly enough.

I narrow my eyes. “That’s not standard procedure, then.”

They push off the door and shift their hands to their hips, a flirty position that does nothing to mask the fact that they’re fidgeting. “You must be tired.”

“I’m really not.” I watch them closely. A good part of my profession is reading people, and while Ramanu may not share all the features of a human, they’re not doing a good job of masking their emotions right now. “Those terms are abnormal, aren’t they?”

They clear their throat. “There will be an event tomorrow night that requires your attendance. Please avail yourself to the wardrobe.” They reach back for the doorknob. “In the meantime, you should rest. Food will be brought to your room and cleared when you’re finished with it.”

They’re going to leave before giving me any answers. I start to slide off the bed. “What kind of event?”

“An auction, though not a traditional one. It may seem frightening, but have no fear. Azazel won’t allow anyone to touchyou. You’re safe here.” Then they’re gone and the door has closed softly behind them.

What thefuckjust happened?

CHAPTER 4

AZAZEL

Today has been in the making from the moment I took over leadership of the bargainer demons, wresting it away from Caesarea once and for all. My aunt was content to drive us to ruin for the sake of her entertainment and bloodlust. Our realm is too damn small to be embroiled in a constant state of war. Whole populations have been decimated in service to her ambition. Whole generations—mine, notably—bear the scars that only war can bring.

I’ve vowed to go a different way. One where peace reigns. One where bargainers don’t have the market cornered on power. It’s been too many generations since humans and the people of this realm mingled freely. In a world where each territory takes its strength from the magic of its leader, everyone except us has been in a steady decline for far too long.

Just how Caesarea preferred it.

Today changes that, once and for all. I’ve worked exceedingly hard to create enough trust with the other territory leaders that they were willing to come here and accept my offer. And now it’s happening.

Having Eve on the stage was never part of the plan.

I don’t have a choice, though. Ramanu was right when they pointed out that any appearance of dishonesty will undermine the entire operation. Eve has to join the others, and I have to ensure no other leader chooses her. It’s a mess of my own making, but even with the way time moves differently between realms, there was no guarantee that leaving Eve alone for another day wouldn’t result in her death.

Brosh has spent a decade being a mere voice of discontent. I underestimated him, sure that he’d never escalate. To discover that not only had he found Eve, but he had plans to kill her? I shudder. I hadn’t stopped to think. I needed her safe, and now she is. No matter what the cost ends up being, it’s more than worth it as long as she remains among the living.

Still, there’s the event to deal with. I do my best to focus as I pull Rusalka—the succubi and incubi leader—aside the moment they arrive and explain what I need from them. I’m concerned about one of the humans in the group tonight, and while I think we have the most peace-minded leaders in the realm possible, I’m not willing to sacrifice the human women on the altar of peace. There’s a way forward for all of us; it just requires some careful maneuvering.

Once I have her agreement, it’s time for the others. Thane from the krakens’ territory. Bram from the gargoyles’. Sol, the dragon king. They’re all smart people. They understand what I’m offering them immediately, even if they don’t trust it entirely. That’s fine. Better to ensure they take the offered truce with care.

The human women stand on a short dais in the front of the room, each in a different color of dress, watching us with wide eyes. Belladonna, Briar, Catalina, Grace... and Eve. I watch Eve’s eyes go wider as she takes in Thane’s tentacles, Bram’s wings, Rusalka’s hooves, and... Well, Sol. When her gaze lands onme, it’s everything I can do to keep my expression composedas if I don’t know her. She’s never seen me in this form, and since she has plenty of cause to hate me currently, I thought it best to avoid a conversation until the rest of my business today is conducted.

I turn back to the leaders. “Let’s begin.”

Rusalka shifts forward, her eyes flaring crimson. “Red.” Belladonna, just as we agreed upon previously.

I turn my attention to the others, waiting with my heart in my throat.

Bram rumbles a little, his wings flaring, but he finally shrugs as if fighting me even this much is too great an effort. “They’re all the same to me. Purple.”

Thank the gods. That was easier than I expected. “Very well.” I force a sharp grin and turn to the two remaining leaders.

“Blue.” Thane moves in his pool, tentacles shifting over one another beneath the water. The ones on his head—where the humans have hair—are mostly behaving, though there’s a nod to his tension in the way they slither over his shoulders, moving in a wind that doesn’t exist.

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