Page 35 of To Hunt a Demon King

Hunt turned back to me with his hand out. “Our deal is up,” he said. “We have officially reached the Darklands, and I would like my payment now.”

“Ah,” I said, feeling my stomach knot with anxiety at what I knew would come next. “About that.”

“You made a blood bargain, Red,” Hunt said, voice full of warning and hand still open expectantly. “Don’t try to break it.”

“I did make a blood bargain,” I agreed, taking a step away from Hunt lest he lose his temper more explosively than I expected. “I agreed to hand over the necklace when you escorted me towhere I needed to go.”

“Yes,” Hunt said, lowering his hand into a fist. “You said the Darklands.”

“Technically, I didn’t name any place specifically,” I corrected. Hunt's scowl darkened like storm clouds had rolled across his eyes. “Where Ineed to gois to find the Demon King.”

“Excuse me?” Hunt growled, brows furrowing and eyes flashing a deep, forest green. I took another step back.

“Mama told me to seek the Demon King. To say that I invoke the protection of the Horned God,” I said, watching cautiously as Hunt’s brows snapped up in surprise. He took a step back, as if I had struck him with a physical blow, and I winced, regretting that it had to be this way.

“So,” I continued, trying to maintain the semblance of cool, clear indifference, “unless you wish to accompany me further, it’s in your best interest to let me keep the necklace and dissolve the blood oath.”

“You little cheat,” Hunt growled, taking a step toward me. Akela whined a little, padding over to me and nosing my hand until I placed it on top of his head. “You too,” Hunt growled at the wolf.

“I’m sorry, truly I am,” I said, willing Hunt to understand. “But it’s Mama’s necklace. It’s all she has left of my father, and all I have of her.”

“Then it’s a shame you bargained it away,” Hunt growled again, taking another step toward me.

My blood heated, anger surging through me at his inability or unwillingness to let this go.

“Maybe you misheard me,” I said slowly, biting out each word. “But you haven’t fulfilled the bargain. The necklace isn’t yours.”

“And maybeyoumisheardme,” Hunt said, closing the distance between us. He towered over me, and I think he expected me to cower. I tried to draw strength from Akela and stood as tall as I could. “But blood bargains are binding. So it looks like you're stuck with me, Red.”

“What?” I asked, taking another step back to put some distance between us. I felt like I couldn’t breathe properly when Hunt towered over me, and I needed my wits about me for this.

“You’re stuck with me,” Hunt repeated slowly. “Until you reach the Demon King, you’re not leaving my sight.”

“You cannot want the necklace this badly,” I exclaimed as Hunt closed the distance between us again. “There must be other shadow stones.”

“There are,” Hunt agreed. “But I want this one.” He reached out and ran a thumb over the stone, which had slipped out from beneath my shirt. He tugged, pulling me a little closer to him as he added with a growl, “so no more tricks, witch.”

“Fine,” I said, irritation growing each moment I stayed in his presence. “But get ready for the most annoying walk of your life.”

Hunt laughed. “I’m already there, witch,” Hunt bit out. He was breathing hard and he looked furious. I felt a little guilty for tricking him, but it served him right for trying to take Mama’s necklace. With a roar of frustration, he stalked off toward the little village.

“Where are you going?” I shouted. Akela whined next to me, and I patted his furry head.

“To find us a place to sleep,” Hunt roared back at me. His anger was almost funny, and I had to bite my lip to stop from laughing at him and making everything so much worse.

“He’ll come round, won't he?” I asked, scratching Akela’s neck. He whined piteously, as if aggrieved that we were fighting, and regretting his choice to side with me. I sighed.

“Sorry,” I said to the wolf, still scratching him somewhat absently. “I didn’t have a choice.” Akela whined again, leaning forward to lick my cheek.

“Thanks,” I said, giving him one last pat. I stood, and walked toward the tiny village. It appeared to be very much like the mortal village back home, but cleaner and well kept. The few people I saw seemed happy enough, although I really couldn’t tell who was a demon and who wasn’t.

“Miss, do you need some help?” asked an older man. I assumed he was mortal based on the fact that he looked older, and I knew demons aged slowly. He was carrying a sack of flour and looking at me quizzically.

“She’s with me,” Hunt growled, emerging from a small building and glaring at me angrily.

“Ah, my Lord?” asked the man, beaming suddenly. I frowned, mouthing, “my Lord?” at Hunt. “Is that you? It has been an age since you were here last.”

“It has, Lyle,” he said, taking a breath and turning a warm smile on the man. He took my arm, perhaps a little more roughly than was necessary, and bowed to the old man. “If you’ll excuse us.”

---