Page 7 of Of Spindles and Nightfall
If Zarathos could get his hands on the vampire portion and reunite it with the rest of the scepter, the energy would reignite, and he would be unstoppable. The magic would also force the vampires to honor their original bargain on pain of death and rejoin with the other demon kingdoms.
“You think I would betray my nation?” she snapped.
He flashed her a knowing smirk. He shifted, brushing his cloak behind him, giving her a glimpse of the midnight-black clothing underneath that clung tightly to his frame, the finely tailored shirt tucked in and his trousers meticulously pressed. “I think everyone has a price, Aryana. And since you didn’t turn me down in your last statement, I presume you already know what you want in exchange for the scepter.”
She slid her back along the wall. She was playing a dangerous game. From the moment Zarathos had saved her from being killed by King Salen, she had known he wanted something, which meant he would offer her something in return. She had to move carefully, or he’d outmaneuver her. Her father’s warning from years ago played through her mind.Remember, Aryana, never make a deal with a demon.
She trembled, but forced herself to continue. “I suppose you want to strike a bargain?”
He spread his hands wide. His fingers were long, ending in sharp, claw-like nails. “Itiswhat I do.”
Zarathos was one of the most formidable arch kings in history, and his supernatural power came from his ability to forge unbreakable deals. Never once had he broken a bargain that he’d entered into, granting him more power the more agreements he negotiated over time, to the point that breaking a bargain with the demon arch king resulted in death.
But Aryana’s life was at risk. She certainly couldn’t turn straw into gold, and Zarathos knew that. That was why he had trapped her under King Salen’s threat.
So she’d be forced to agree or die.
“I can’t guarantee that I can get the scepter for you,” she stated warily.
“Already trying to adjust the conditions?” His voice flowed from his lips, silken strands of darkness that curled like warmth pooling in her stomach. He watched her with his razor sharp gaze.
“I can swear to expend my best effort in retrieving it,” she said, trying to ignore the effect his tone had on her.
He gave her a look of disdain. “What isyourbest effort?”
“Whatever you decide.”
He paused, his chin tilting in consideration. “So I save you from this prison, and you will make your most faithful attempt at retrieving the scepter—”
“There’s something else I want.”
Daylight fell across his hair and body, casting a stark contrast that made the subtle gray tones of his skin stand out, like some beastcarved from stone. The color unsettled her. His sable horns curled up from his head, tapering into cruel, sharpened points. “You don’t want me to save your life?”
“I do. But I want something in addition.”
“Someone is getting greedy. I hate to disappoint you, but I don’t do more than one-to-one trades.”
Her fingers tightened into fists. He owed her. He was the one who trapped her here, and yet despite that, he wouldn’t expand their deal.
She needed to make this bargain worth his while to get what she wanted. “You said that the Demon Trials were approaching. What if I was to serve as your kalator?”
He stared at her, as still as death. Had she uttered something wrong? Finally, he let out a chuckle. “What in the world would warrant adding a thing like that to the bargain?”
He must think her next to worthless. After all, his life was on the line. Serving as a kalator was as close as demons came to honor and glory. They fought for their champion in the trial, risking everything for them, and receiving a hefty reward should their contender win. As arch king, Zarathos probably had many subjects vying for the position in the approaching trials. “I’ve trained for the past ten years with my uncle and the elite fighters of my kingdom. I can wield most types of weapons with adeptness. And I’m not afraid to kill.”
“Yes, I’m aware.” There was a soft growl in his tone as his eyes flashed in annoyance.
She blinked. How did he know? The demon and vampire kingdoms had little to no contact. Her uncle’s court killed any demonsfrom other nations that wandered across their borders. At one time she performed the killings, but that had ended within the last couple of years. But even then, her uncle had always had her kill in private, taking the credit for the death all to himself. Perhaps Zarathos had seen her end Jonas Harns the previous night? That could be what he was referring to.
Either way, she plowed ahead. “I’ll help you win the trials.”
“And you are willing to do whatever is required to be my kalator? No matter what?” And despite the edge of contempt in his voice, she almost saw the wheels spinning in his mind as he considered.
“Yes.”
“And what, pray tell, would be so important that you would risk your life for me in the trials?”
“I want you to swear to protect the humans.”
