Page 80 of A City of Smoke and Demons
The man sat back. ‘Not even for the things you desire? If there is one thing I have come to understand about humans, it’s that you value your existence greatly. You value your worth, such as it is. Self-preservation is important to you. I find you all so fascinating.’
Ezra was tired of this man and his strange conversation. He wanted to sleep. His eyes were heavy. ‘If I agree, will you go away?’
A chuckle. ‘I promise you won’t see me for a year.’
An image pressed into Ezra’s mind. A woman with hair like a lamp’s flame, eyes the colour of rich soil and bee-stung lips. She had full cheeks, a delicate nose and arched brows.
‘Bring her to me.’ The man’s voice was like honey, oozing over Ezra’s skin.
Ezra blinked.
The man stood and held out his hand.
Confused, Ezra took it.
The man smiled. For a moment, his eyes flashed red. ‘You have a year.’
Then, he was gone.
The moment she saw Ezra’s face, Analise knew.
‘I made a deal with Asmael.’ His voice was flat, his skin pale.
Jem looked like he was going to punch Ezra in the face.
‘I made a deal with the Devil in an opium den while I was high. Be as mad as you want, Jem, but it doesn’t change it,’ Ezra said blankly. Analise, Jem, and Lira were in Maddog’s office, Charles with them, where they’d been waiting while Ezra was with the seer.
Jem put his head in his hands. ‘Ezra.’
‘It wasn’t like he walked up and introduced himself,’ Ezra mumbled. He sighed. ‘The Devil found me at my most vulnerable, then sat there and got high with me.’
Nobody spoke, until Ezra pulled at his hair in frustration. ‘How does it work? The deals?’
‘We aren’t sure,’ Lira said miserably. ‘Some of the people we’ve met, those we have found who were willing to talk to us, said that as the end date for whatever time Asmael gave them drew closer, they realised they were being followed. The Familiar’s job is to watch, remember, and if the person doesn’tdo whatever Asmael has asked of them, he sends his demons after them.’ Her eyes flickered to Ezra, then she sighed. ‘But even if they do fulfil their bargain, he owns them, Ezra. He owns you.’
Ezra took a seat, expression thoughtful. ‘So, if I don’t do what I said I’d do, I’m dead either way, then?’
‘What did he ask and how long did he give you?’ Jem demanded, his voice rising.
Ezra’s eyes shifted to Analise. ‘He gave me a year to find him a death witch.’
Her vision blurred.
‘I didn’t remember. I’m not lying to you, Analise. I didn’t remember a thing. He put your face in my head and told me to bring you to him. That night we first met, I had the sense I’d met you before.’
‘You asked me,’ she whispered. ‘I thought you were being, well, you.’
No one said anything for a long moment, until Jem sighed. ‘Your year must be up. That’s why you can see the Familiars, Ez. That’s why the mark has shown up on your skin.’
‘Then get rid of it,’ Ezra said fiercely. ‘I don’t care how. Cut it off. Burn it off, whatever. Get rid of it because I am not handing Analise over to the Devil, and I sure as fuck am not letting myself become a demon.’
Lira looked worried. ‘We’ve tried removing the mark already, with others, in an attempt to trick the Devil.’ She paused, shaking her head, ‘and it comes back. I’m sorry, Ezra.’
‘Right. Well, I refuse to die on someone else’s terms.’ Ezra looked at Analise. ‘I want you to kill me.’
‘What?!’ Horror flooded her. ‘How can … how can you ask me to do this?’
‘Ezra—’ Jem began.
