Page 46 of Death Trap

“If we can’t make a deal, then I’ll just…” His one hand rolled to reveal a finger and thumb in snapping position. He was going to undo his time freeze and unleash his Halflings again.

If I let that happen, Eli and Lisa didn’t stand a chance.

My heartbeat picked up pace. He’d backed me into a corner. And he knew it.

“Is there something else you can come up with for this deal? Somethingnotinvolving me giving birth to a half-demon baby?” I asked.

With his fingers poised and ready to snap at any second, his face turned thoughtful. After a few moments of tense silence, he lowered his trigger hand and said, “I’m sure there is something we can work out.”

The way he said those words made me not so sure about doing this. Who knew what crazy things were going on in that demented head of his?

“I’ll stop my children and point you and your friends to the exit,if…” He drew it out for dramatic effect.

“If what?” I braced myself for impact.

“If you come back to Hell after you’re done with whatever you’re doing with the human woman’s soul.”

“Come back?” That couldn’t be all. “You just want me to come back? That’s it?”

He smirked in his usual sly way that made goose bumps rise on my skin. Deep down, I knew it couldn’t be as simple as just another quick visit. There had to be more to it.

“Nope, that’s it,” he said, but then quickly added, “Well…you have to be alone, of course. No Guardian. And no more busting humans out of their Hells. But yes, that’s all.”

It seemed too easy. Too good to be true, and you know what they say when an offer seems too good to be true. That it usually was.

“No surprises? No extra, secret parts to this deal?” I met his gaze, searching for any lies.

“None.” He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Like that meant anything coming from him. If he swore to God, I would have pissed my pants from laughing.

“Just come back for a little visit. That’s all I ask,” he said. “If you could imagine, it can get quite lonely down here.”

I hesitated. Why would Monnie be offering me something as seemingly harmless as coming back for another Hell meet and greet? There had to be more to his offer. But what? Coming back could mean another chance to get stuck here. Especially without Eli—which was a specific part of his side of the deal. He wanted me in Hell alone, and that was unnerving in itself.

But I still needed to find Benjamin, didn’t I? There was no way Eli would let me stay and look for him after the Halfling attack, and there was zero chance he’d let me come back to do it, too. I was going to have to get back down here anyway and find Benjamin by myself.

“How will I be able to get back here without Eli? I need an angel to operate the elevator,” I told him.

“Ah, yes. You’re right. But that’s a minor bump in the road. Here.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a ring with a thick gold band and a ruby gemstone in the middle. “Wear this on the hand you touch the elevator doors with, and it will work for you.”

I reached for it but then paused, unsure.

I couldn’t see any specific red flags now, although I had a feeling I’d regret this choice later. If this did end up being a trap, then I needed to get all I could from the deal. And there were a few more things I was dying to know.

“If I do this, I want something else,” I said.

His brows pinched in annoyance. He hadn’t expected a counteroffer. “And what is that?”

“Can you tell me what I am?”

To my surprise, Monnie sighed. “I cannot.”

“What? Why?”

“It isn’t my place,” he said flatly. “The consequences wouldn’t be worth it.”

I ground my teeth. It was worth a shot, but damn, was I ever going to find out who the heck I was? Deal or not, I had to come back to Hell, find Benjamin, and get my answers. I was tired of the runaround.

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