“Ah. That’s your father talking.”
“Damned straight.” I’d heard so many stories about negotiations gone wrong from him. Hollywood was notorious for shitty deals and taking advantage of dumb people.
I wasn’t an idiot and I wasn’t about to start being one now. So I waited, quietly. Trying to keep my mind blank.
“I’m not going to take your first born or anything horrible like that. I think you’ll find that I’m pretty reasonable.”
I doubted that.
“That hurts,” he said, feigning shock.
I laughed. I’d forgotten he could read my mind.
“See, you’ll like me. I’m funny. We’re going to be friends.” He crossed his arms as he stared down at me.
Friends seemed like a stretch. “I’m not going to be your slave.”
“That’s what Astaroth wants and I’m not him.” All the joking was gone from him.
Good. This was important, and I wanted him to take me seriously. “You saved my life last night and so far you haven’t asked me for anything.”
“No. And I’m not going to. That jar was breaking the rules and the portal he made with it was an abomination. Healing you was good for me, too. It insured that you would be here today.”
“What are the rules?”
He shrugged. “This and that. They don’t matter. Except when they do.”
“That is literally the most vague thing I’ve ever heard.” He stayed quiet, and I guessed that was the end of that topic. “I’m not going to let you use my power without my okay or drain it from me or anything else that I’m not aware of right now.” I left it open-ended. I didn’t know what else was possible, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to let any ignorance bite me in the ass later.
“I’ve got enough power on my own, thank you very much. I don’t want or need yours.”
I sighed. What am I missing? What does he want?
I don’t know. Just ask him.
He was right. If I wanted him to be clear, then I had to ask. “What do you want?”
“A vial of your blood.”
I was new to witchcraft, but I wasn’t that new. Blood could be used in too many ways—most of them not good. “Why do you want my blood?”
“I’m going to tie you to me.”
Dastien growled, but I waved him back. I didn’t like the sound of that either. “Why do you want to tie us together?”
“You’re going to be the focal point for the spell, which means I’ll need your blood.”
That didn’t make sense. “If you wanted it just for the spell, then I’d give it to you. But since you’re asking me for it separately, that makes me think it isn’t just for the spell. Is it?”
“Very good.” He smiled down at me like he was proud I’d caught on. “No. The bond I want with you is something beyond what’s needed for your spell. It will be there forever.”
I didn’t like the sound of that and neither did Dastien. He was thinking about ripping off Eli’s head off. Don’t. I’m pretty sure that fight won’t end well.
I wasn’t sure if I could agree to that. It all depended on what kind of tie Eli wanted. If it was going to be something as thin as the ties I had to a Were from another pack, ones that could be easily broken and reformed, then fine. But if it was more like my mate bond—strong and unbreakable—then I wasn’t sure. I didn’t know Eli well enough to agree to that. “What kind of bond do you want with me specifically?”
“One that will let me find you any time and check in on you when I see fit.”
Check in on me? I wasn’t sure I liked that, but I needed more information. “What else?”