Page 45 of Death Trap

“Like you.”

I reeled back. “Excuse me?”

Was he out of his flipping mind? Had all that sulfur killed too many of his brain cells?

He smiled, his eyes glowing eerily. “You heard me.”

I shook my head so violently, my eyes rattled in my skull. “No, no, no. Absolutely not.” My stomach clenched painfully even at the thought.

“I’m looking for more women to bear my children. But unlike some of my other brothers, I’m more selective with my—”

“Baby mamas?”

His laughter boomed, his head snapping back from the force of it. “I was going to say harem, but if you prefer…”

“I don’t know which one is worse, honestly.”

“It’s an honor to even be considered by me,” he said. “I don’t ask just anyone.”

I thought back to Kay and how Xaver had fooled her by possessing Laurence during one of their dates. That’s how demons worked. All deception and trickery. “I doubt youaskanyone at all.”

His anger was quick and violent. An F5 tornado wrapped in a frail casing. And in that instant, the creature’s broad forehead, sharp cheekbones, and extra wide mouth showed through his human facade.

The true Monnie reminded me of an evil elf or something.

“Who do you think I am?” he snapped, his voice gaining volume. “Some kind of barbarian? I ask every woman I choose to have my offspring. I have respect and manners.”

Shit. Looked like I’d really offended him. I guess everyone had their sticking points.

I mean, did I believe Monnieactuallyasked his conquests before he bedded them? It was possible. From his passionate response, I would lean more toward yes now. But did I believe he revealed he was actually a demon in a human skin when he did it? Absolutely not. I couldn’t imagine anyone voluntarily signing up to carry a part-demon baby that would end their own life, either during pregnancy or birth.

Monnie shook his head, shoving the demon part of him back into place. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said and cleared his throat. “I’m offering you this deal because I only choose the best. I am very picky, you see.”

I glanced at the other Halflings, still frozen in their fighting stances. They were all grotesque-looking beasts with disproportioned limbs, over-pronounced features, and gray, scaly skin.

I shuddered. “I’m flattered, but my answer is still no. And not just any kind of no. A hard no.”

He lifted his chin, turning up his nose at me. “Fine. But that was my price.”

“I couldn’t even produce a child if I wanted to. Did you forget? I’m a reaper. A spirit.” I pointed to myself for emphasis. “Dead.”

“But are you?” His brow raised.

I paused.

“There’s a rumor going around the spiritual grapevine that you’ve been switching between dead and alive recently.”

Uh-oh.

“It’s…complicated,” I said. “And it’s not in the way you think.”

“Ah. Well, then, I’m still willing to give it a try anyway,” he replied.

I narrowed my eyes. “It’s still a no.”

He held up his hands, surrendering. “I hear you loud and clear. A no is a no.”

A demon who understood something most normal men didn’t? Shocking.

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