Page 290 of Castings & Curses

“I will make a deal with you.”

The man looks at me, frightened, but I cannot move. Holding Mercy to my chest, I am torn.

“Endor, we are not here to—”

Endor holds his hand up to proverbially shush me, and the action flares my anger. I feel a rush of power surge through me, through my wings, and it makes me feel… alive.

“I will grant you an extension, if you give me what I need.”

The man gulps, fright in his eyes as he looks up at Endor looming over him. All tattoos, dark hair blowing in the wind, and long, sexy black wings stretched as far as the eye can see.

“What can I give you?”

“Information,” Endor says darkly. “You’re going to tell me everything I need to know about where we are, and then, perhaps, I will grant you what you wish.”

My brain finally comes back on circuit as I realize what he’s doing, and I can’t let him.

I can’t let this poor man make a deal with this demon, to sign away his soul to Hell.

“We are…”

“No!” I shout, and the power ripples through me, outward like a wave. It hits Endor, making him stumble just slightly, but when it covers the man and he looks at me with tears in his eyes, a peace overcoming him, I know this is the right thing.

We can figure the rest of this out on our own, I know it. I will not let this demon collect contracts on my watch.

Not today, Endor.

Not today.

The light engulfs the man, and Endor curses again, a wave of power emanating from his wings as he turns and looks at me with fire in his eyes.

“The light is so beautiful,” the man whispers, just before he falls into slumber, a golden-white light protecting him from the darkness that stands before us.

“What the fuck was that?” Endor asks as he storms over to Mercy and me.

“I will not let you spread your demonic lies to the innocent.”

“That man was not innocent, Valory. He has killed people.”

“You don’t know that,” I counter. Mercy snuggles against me, Endor’s eyes burning like brimstone.

“Yes, I do. Comes with the territory of being a demon. I know the sins people have committed. I can see it in their eyes.”

“Whatever he’s done...”

“We could have used the information. Which he would have given us easily. But now…” Endor slams his fist against the wall. “Now, what’s the point? There’s no bargaining chip because you got your fucking panties in a twist and wanted to play guardian fucking angel.”

“Says the demon who wanted to play contractor,” I bite back.

Endor pushes off the wall, his wings folding back in, and as they start to fade, I just know what he’s doing. He’s sheathing his wings. He’s going invisible…

“Endor, where are you going?” I ask as I scoop Mercy into my arms bridal style, attempting to follow him.

“To find us some fucking answers, Val,” he growls, and with that, I watch Endor disappear into the night, leaving Mercy and me alone on the edge of the alley.

This is going to be a long journey.

I look at Mercy, and as frightened as I feel, I know none of that matters. Because in my arms I hold a lost soul, and if this moment has taught me anything, it is that I am more than capable of guiding the lost into the light. As I wait for Endor to return, I make a promise to myself and Mercy that I will do everything in my power to save the lost.

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