Page 94 of Hell-Bound

Xarek flicked his wrist, and a contract appeared and a blue Lesser Devil promptly grabbed it out of the air and began to read.

“Lord Xarek Wyvryn does henceforth challenge King Azur Pelegros to a trial by contract to determine the innocence or guilt of Lord Wyvryn for allegedly conspiring against King Pelegros and his unholy throne.”

The Lesser looked up from the parchment, eyes as big as saucers.

“Lord Wyvryn, what are the terms of your contract?”

Xarek spread his wings wide.

“A duel in accordance with the king’s laws. I do, after all, respect the precedent set by His Highness.”

Ren watched as her hand involuntarily reached out to grab Azur’s wrist.

“No, my Lord, it is not worth the risk to your life,” her voice said.

That doesn’t evensoundlike me.

This was the worst thing she could have said.

Xarek knew Azur—knew his pride. He knew how these words, from Ren’s Mortal mouth, would cut at it.

The muscles in Azur’s jaw flexed.

“I accept,” he said, blinded—unable to notice the changes in Ren’s face, her posture, the pitch of her voice. The two Devils cut their arms, sealing their terms.

Azur’s smile grew, and all the candles flickered in warning.

“I will not be choosing a champion, Lord Wyvryn. I will be the one to defend my throne and my honor against whoever or whatever you decide to condemn to death in an attempt to challenge me. I swear by the contract.”

Xarek did not blanch.

“Oh, how delicious. I was hoping you would say that.As you’ve probably guessed, Iwillbe using a champion. I’m a musician, king, not a masochist.”

Azur snorted. “Who would be foolish enough to agree to fight me?”

The rest of the room snickered at the ridiculous thought.

“Oh, I think you will be quite surprised,” he said, his eyes finally flicking to Ren.

She understood now. This was worse than death—worse than forgetting. Worse than all the pain remembering could bring. She was powerless to stop what happened next.

“Renata, would you be my champion and fight for me against the god of the underworld?”

Internally, she fought with all her remaining energy—willed herself to throw her body in front of the two Devils, but none of her reached the surface.

“I, The Defender of The Planes, will fight for this innocent male!” her voice boomed. “I consent and swear by the contract.”

The only sound in the room was Ren’s own screams inside her mind. Every face was slack with disbelief.

Azur gazed at Ren, first treacherous and then in understanding.

“You fucking bastard!” Azur roared, throwing himself at Xarek, wrapping one hand around his neck, and lifting him off of his feet. “You’ve compelled her. She couldn’t properly consent!”

Xarek’s eyes were watering from pain, but he continued to smile, a strained laugh escaping from his throat. “Compelled Mortals’ consent counts towards contracts. Youwrotethose rules.”

“It’s not true consent,” Azur ground out.

“So it matters to you now? That’s sweet. You must really care for the—”

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