Page 11 of Magic and Mayhem

My flesh feels like it’s on fire, the contract hanging above my head.

“What about my soul?”

“What about it?”

“Don’t you want that too?”

His thumb rubs circles on the back of my hand, making me bite my lip from how good his touch feels. It’s the first time I can remember someone doing something soft or gentle with me.

“I think I do, yes.”

When my eyes meet his, our gazes lock as a violet mist seems to swirl in the depths of his dark irises. I realize then that I’m way out of my depth here.

“Then teach me about your world. I want to know everything there is to know about demons and whatever else is out there.”

His grip tightens, but not painfully.

“What makes you think you have the power to ask such a thing from me?”

I shrug. “I’m simply laying out my terms. You can deny them.”

Eryx tilts his head back, laughing. “You are one cleverwoman.”

After a few seconds, he purses his lips, looking amused. “Fine, I accept your terms.”

“Then it’s a deal.”

Chapter 4

“There is one small detail you should know when you make a deal with a demon, Love.”

I step closer to her, but she stands her ground, even though I can tell she wants to run. Her bravery is endearing and quite refreshing.

“What’s that?”

“We seal our deals with a kiss.”

I lean in, my lips brushing hers. In an instant, my entire world changes. Our mouths fuse together, and an indescribable feeling takes over.

Real, unfiltered joy presses into my chest, lighting up my very being. I deepen the kiss, pushing for more and she opens up for me, our tongues sweeping out to tangle with one another.

Just as she raises her hands to wind them behind my neck and deepen this moment further, a gasp of pain escapes her. She staggers back, clutching at her wrist.

“What is it?” I question, grabbing her hand and gently moving my shirt sleeve out of the way.

A black band made of intricate lines spreading out from an elaborate pentagram appears on her skin, growing around her wrist until it creates a binding mark, one that could last forever.

“What the heck is this?” she asks, shaking her hand as if the movement could remove the mark.

I’m torn with what to say to her because she has been through a fuck ton of shit today, and I need to find a way to help her open up to me.

She needs to feel safe if our deal is going to work, but I don’t think I can do that by giving her the entire truth right now, so I settle for something in the middle.

After all, I am a demon. No one said we can’t lie a little.

“It’s a mark that binds you to our deal.”

I pull back my sleeve, the magic embedded in my clothing making it impervious to my flame and still in perfect condition. The same mark is inked on my skin, every detailed line on my left wrist. I didn’t feel it until she forced our separation, but the burn leaves a slight tingling feeling behind.

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