Page 78 of Kiss of Light

“What are you doing?”

“I’m going to rip his worthless head off.”

“Oh. Okay. But can you hurry it up? I need your help with Blake.”

Ravij’s face swivelled towards her. It was deathly pale, and on his neck the shaitun ankh tattoo stood out vividly.

The black which normally swamped his eyes had receded, leaving a ring of white around each iris. The effect was oddly disconcerting. She’d never seen Ravij scared before.

“Tala-ji,I beg of you, sister. Don’t let him kill me.”

“Told you before, dickhead. I’m not your sister. And correct me if I’m wrong, but weren’t you planning to killmeten minutes ago?”

“That was a means to an end. Politics. This is cold blooded murder.”

“Yeah, I don’t give a shit. Do what you need to do, Lemar.”

The Vetali let his fangs grow. Veins traced across his face. Ravij started shrieking.

“Please,Tala-ji!I will owe you a boon. I swear it.”

Lemar started towards the demon but Tala stayed him.

“Hang on. A demon boon is worth something.”

“What could he possibly give us that would mean anything?”

“I don’t know. But he’s given his word. That means he has to grant us a favour, no matter what we ask, even if it means disobeying his master. Isn’t that right, Ravij?”

The demon looked away sullenly.

“That is demon lore. I must perform whatever service you require, whenever you require, even if it harms Salaq.”

Tala glanced at Lemar.

“Your call. You’re the one he violated.”

He mulled it over.

“This ‘boon’. Would it be useful for your friend, Shadeed?”

“Having Salaq’s favourite demon owe us a favour? Hell, yes.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. It’s your lucky day, demon.”

Tala and Lemar turned away. The demon struggled against the arrow still pinning him to the rock.

“Wait. Aren’t you going to release me?”

“Pull it out yourself,” Lemar said shortly. “If you can.”

He scooped Tala into his arms.

“Hey!” she protested. “I can walk.”

“You’re limping. Allow me.”

He blurred them to the bottom of the outcrop.

---