Page 110 of Surrendering Hope (The Hope Legacy)

“I need you to promise that if you can’t contain the beast, you will kill him. No matter the cost.”

The noodles curdle in my stomach and threaten to reappear across the table. I swallow the bile and nod. “I promise. But you need to promise to protect my friends and family.”

He grimaces but holds out his hand. I make to grab it. He clutches my forearm instead. A blast of power singes my skin. My hair lifts with the static, it feels a hundred times more powerful than the oath I made with Zac. “What the hell was that?”

“A binding promise.”

I snatch my hand back, studying my tingling palm. “What does that mean?”

“It means if you fail to uphold your end of the deal, you will pay the price. Same for me.”

“Price?”

“You will belong to me.” Wonderful, so if I fail, my ass is owned by a demon and an angry god. Good job I don’t plan on failing.

“Fine, let’s go.” I hiccup as I stand and sway.

“The food will help, but Lysa’s drugs are still affecting us both. We should wait awhile. I’d rather avoid a fight with your protectors.”

My skin feels itchy, the blast of power from Ant has agitated my magic. “I need to move, my power is making me antsy.”

He dabs his lips with a white linen napkin and stands. “Fine, let’s go back to the club.”

“Ugh.”

He looks over his shoulder as he drags me towards the kitchen. “What?”

“So I can be a spectacle for the supernatural world?”

He comes to a stand in the middle of the busy kitchen; I don’t even want to know why these people don’t blink when a demon and mythical woman are standing in their kitchen one minute and gone the next. We enter the peaceful dimension and part of my heart cries out at the loss when we arrive in a storeroom full of various types of alcohol.

“Do you sing?” Ant asks as he sweeps through a red door and into the back of the bar. Frank turns and looks me up and down. A deep blush creeps up my neck. I sweep my hair over my shoulder, trying to hide it.

Frank grins. “She’s drunk.” Ant nods, his steps not as sure as usual. Frank focuses on Ant’s gait and his grin stretches. “So are you.”

Ant glares as he rounds the bar and pats the stool next to him. “Another round of Lucifer’s Balls?” I suggest. Frank mixes the drinks as Ant stares out at the bustling club.

“Are you a talented singer?” Ant asks.

“Hmm… I thought so. But the guys tell me I’m pretty awful.”

“Do you enjoy singing?”

“Of course, who doesn’t?”

He grabs my hand and drags me towards the stage with the throne. Grabbing my hips, he lifts me onto the stage and climbs up to join me. He winks as he hands me a glittering microphone and the karaoke classic “Don’t Stop Believing” booms from the surround sound. The demonic crowd goes wild as Ant sings his part in a perfect rendition. Lost in the haze, I sing along. The crowd cheers us on and even joins in the chorus… ha… the guys were so lying I can totally sing. Surprising me further, Ant wraps an arm around my back and shimmies, making me giggle.

Ant sings the last words and dips me in a graceful arc. “See, you can sing anytime in my club.” Grinning, I jump into the parting crowd and make my way to an amused Frank. He slides the familiar drink towards me. I take a big gulp, hiccup, giggle, and declare. “Hmm… Lucifer’s balls are delicious.”

“I’ll be sure to let him know,” Ant mutters in my ear.

I roll my eyes as I finish the drink and swivel to face the occupants of the demon club. Hostile glares have become curious glances. I’m not sure whether it’s a good thing that I’m being accepted in a club renowned for its underworld clientele. I guess it will make my job easier. Ugh… my job. A sadness at the loss described by the fates makes me heave in a breath. Ant grabs my hand and leads me towards the exit.

“Where are we going?” I ask.

“Away from here. You need space and time to digest what has to be done. I can guess from the sorrow pouring from you, someone you love won’t make it out of this alive, and for that I’m sorry, Natia. If there was anything I could do to save him, I would. But the fates are never wrong. I warned you, whilst being prepared can be a blessing, the knowledge of what you must do, the loss you will suffer can also be a curse.”

We emerge into the cemetery, lit only by the full moon and the scattering of candles against tombs. I swallow the lump in my throat. He’s right, the knowledge is a curse and before long I will lose someone I love, in fact not one, but multiple. The last push of alcohol settles my shaky limbs and I slouch against Ant as he leads me down a cobbled street towards the boisterous nightlife of New Orleans. He drags me past a group of lecherous men and a giggling group of girls eyeballing the men like prey. Ant halts outside an innocuous tiny shop. His grin stretches from ear to ear as he raises an eyebrow at me in challenge.

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