Page 97 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“You know, I told myself the next time I saw your face, you would either be dead, or I would be removing your head myself.” He paused, gigantic eyes scanning the room, lingering just a second longer on Metice than anyone else. Then, he laughed, a loud, booming sound that echoed off the walls. “I guess that’s why I’m no oracle.”
“My brother said you had a deal for me.” Raymond skipped the pleasantries.
“Straight to the deal. Hmm, not even an apology for what you did.” Klougus’s voice turned cold, all laughter completely removed. “Your actions led to the death of someone important to me, someone I can never get back. Yet, you don’t even think to try to make amends.”
“Would it make any difference if I did?”
I could only see the back of Raymond’s head, but I noticed the way the shadows moved across his exposed skin. He was holding it together, just barely.
“You really haven't changed, have you?” Klougus grunted. “I used to like that about you. Focused, determined, sure of yourself. But that led you to ruin, didn’t it?”
“What do you want?” Again, Raymond avoided the small talk the big guy tried to engage in.
“Well, it would seem your mistake actually turned out to be in my favor—not that any of us thought it would be. Youractions led to the death of my brother, and I was hell bent on making you pay for that. But as luck would have it, if you had not done what you did, my brother would have done it to me.” Klougus’s massive hand gripped the armrest as he leaned forward. “He was going to make a play for my power; waiting until I stepped down didn't seem to be enough for him. He was next in line, but I guess I was taking too long to get out of his way. It wasn’t long after his death that his secrets were revealed.”
“So that means we're even,” Raymond said.
“Not even close.” Klougus shook his head.
“Technically, I saved you,” Raymond pointed out. “Sounds like a fair trade to me.”
“But that wasn’t your intention. You also ran away, which meant you were guilty of something.” Klougus’s eyes moved across every face in the room before returning to Raymond. “You and I both know what that was, so yes, you still owe me.”
“What do you want?” Raymond repeated his question.
“Bring me Talkeen dead or alive, but alive is preferred.”
Next to me, Cufio gasped. I looked at him to see his jaw tighten and his hands ball into fists at his sides.
“Why would you want us to do that?” Raymond’s voice shook. It was a slight tremble, but if I heard it, I was sure everyone else did. “Talkeen was your main guy.”
“He was also working with my brother in a plot to end my life. Now that my brother is gone, Talkeen wants his place and mine. I will not have it.Ikeep the order on this side of the Bane, no one else.” He took a deep breath. “This is your choice. You can do this, or you can leave and the human will stay here, but I don’t know how much longer she will survive.”
Just then, the taupe wall behind him shifted. The color became a translucent window, and on the other side was a room. In the center of the space was a small bed, and on it, a woman. She lay there, and asleep next to her lay a demon. He looked a lot like Noville, only instead of stone, he looked to be made of bark. His flesh looked like they were branches woven together, and small green petals stood out from him in varying places.
“Natalie.”
25
The Deal
“Oh, look how concerned she is,” Punal said.
“It really is impressive how gruesome these humans can be, and yet, look at the compassion she shows.” Klougus nodded.
“Don’t hurt her,” I said sternly, my voice tight with barely suppressed anger.
“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that. You have my word. She’ll be fine—for now.” He shifted in his seat to point to the being next to Natalie. “That’s Stalvin. He’s a very special creature in that he can produce specialized atmospheres. In a way, he is acting as her own little ecosystem. But…” He snapped his fingers and Stalvin quickly left Natalie alone.
We watched in silence. At first, Natalie looked fine. She continued to sleep peacefully, but within minutes, she clearly struggled to breathe. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her body jerked and twisted. Her eyes fluttered open before slamming shut. She clutched her chest and gasped for air.
“Okay!” I blurted out. “We’ll do it.”
“Jericha,” Raymond turned to me as Stalvin reentered the room, and Natalie’s fit ended.
“These Earth women sure are impressive, aren’t they?” Klougus said, glancing at Metice, who gave a disgusted grunt at the comment. “That reminds me, where is Rayna? I had hoped you would bring her with you.”
“Wedding stuff,” Metice replied.
