Page 26 of The Demon's Due
Síofra’s stomach flipped. “No. No, that’s impossible-my father is Edward Peters. A rich arsehole who abandoned me in boarding school when my mother drank herself to death. She was a depressed addict . Definitely no goddess.”
Ashmedai pulled her closer until his ember-lit horns framed her in his shadow. His voice dropped, heavy with command. “Listen well, my queen. I do not lie to you, for you are mine. You are born of the Keeper of Keys and a mortal. Whether that mortal is this unworthy seller of cereals and vegetables, I cannot say. But the ring…” his gaze seared her finger where the silver band gleamed, “…it binds you to me. It also restricts your power which has been awake and waiting since you turned a score earth years. If you remove it now, you will be dragged into worlds you know nothing of.”
Her lips trembled. “Then what am I supposed to do?”
Ashmedai’s claws flexed, softer this time, his tone near a whisper. “Do not try to cast it off yet. Allow me to guide you. Else the portals will open, Síofra, and without me-you will be lost. Even one as powerful as I, a demon of fire who commands all the elements, may not be able to find you.”
Síofra’s throat felt tight, her finger still cradled in his vast, ember-lit hand. “If all that’s true…am I this mistress of portals you are looking for?” she whispered, forcing herself to meet his golden eyes. At his nod, “then you will help me? Will you help me find out who I really am?”
Ashmedai’s expression softened in a way that unsettled her more than his teeth ever had. The grin faded, leaving an expression she would almost call worried? He inclined his horned head, smoke coiling from the motion.
“Yes,” he said at last, his voice like stone breaking under the weight of a hammer. “I will guide you. I will uncover what was hidden. For you are mine, and I will not see you wander blind into the shadows.”
He brushed a claw lightly over the ring, almost a caress. “Together we will find the truth of your bloodline. And when you are ready, I will show you how to wield what is yours by right.”
Morgan shoved furiously against the shadows still binding him.She’s not yours to promise things to, you arrogant bastard!
Ashmedai ignored him. His unblinking gaze never left Síofra. “I swear it, flame-haired queen. I will help you find yourself. No matter the cost.”
Síofra met his gaze, her body feeling lighter than it ever had.Noone had wanted her like this. Noone had ever had her back like this.
“Alright, then let’s find a way to get you home.”,she replied.
Ashmedai tilted his head, smoke curling from his lips as if he were listening to a voice only he could hear. His golden eyes unfocused, distant. “We need the three artefacts. They whisper it still, the shadows,” he murmured. “The place of blood and walls, where the oubliette yawns. Léim Uí Bhanáin.”
Morgan frowned. “What does that even mean?”
Síofra raked a hand through her messy hair. “It's Gaelec. I think the shadows mean Leap Castle in Ireland. I remember an engraving there with those very words. I’ve been there before. Gave me the creeps.”
Ashmedai’s grin cut sharp and satisfied. “There are many creatures imprisoned there. Such places are also portals between worlds. So the shadows are not liars.”
Morgan blew out a breath, already regretting it. “Fine. We start there. ”
Ashmedai’s grin curved dark letting out a hint of his leathery wings “I could fly us there.”
Morgan shook his head. “Yes, people think nothing of a giant flying bat. And Síofra would turn into a popsicle. We’ll take a plane.”
Before Ashmedai started with his questions, he pulled out his phone, thumbing the screen with hands that still trembled as he dialed. “Merrik. I need a favour.”
Quickly he explained the situation. When the call ended, Morgan tapped through an airline app and booked tickets, his face taut with determination.
Then he glanced up, pinning Ashmedai with a glare. “If you so much as twitch at the airport, they’ll shut everything down and we’ll be caught before we start. You need to stay hidden. Understood?”
Ashmedai spread his claws, mock-innocent. “I will behave.” His grin, however, promised mischief.
Chapter 13
The airport was a blur of announcements, neon lights, and too many bodies moving in every direction. Merrik met them there with a card for money and gave Síofra a long, concerned look. His eyes went to the bruises showing at the base of her neck and then he gave Morgan a searching look. Morgan could not help the smugness that crept onto his face as he pulled Síofra closer with a possessive paw. Síofra blushed and tugged at the hem of Morgan’s T-shirt, wishing she had something else to wear. Her shorts were damp from all the extracurricular activities and uncomfortable against her skin. In the end Merrik left, promising to put in Síofra’s sick leave request and explain the situation to his parents.
Reading her expression correctly, Morgan dragged Síofra into one of the duty-free shops. He moved with a grim kind of purpose, ignoring her protests as he pulled handfuls of clothing from racks.
“Not my first choice,” she muttered, staring at the short, flowing skirt he held out, “but better than nothing. At least I finally have some dry underwear.”
Ashmedai stirred instantly, his voice silk over stone. “Yes. Underwear. Preferably the lacy scrap in crimson.”
Síofra nearly dropped the hanger. “Absolutely not.”
Morgan glanced over. “Which one?”
