Ari drew in a shuddering breath. “If I die, you save Jai and let him return unharmed to his Tribe.”
“Done.” He nodded, his expression one of utter boredom.
Ari narrowed her eyes. “And—”
“And?” Azazil sat forward, his eyebrow raised in haughty enquiry.
“If I do this willingly … and I live … then I get to call in a favor.”
“I thought that was your favor.”
“No, that was a gesture of good will.”
He smirked. “If your favor then is for the sorcerer … I cannot save him if he kills the labartu. I am sorry. That is out of my hands.”
Dammit. Ari forced down her helpless tears. They were of no use to her here. “Fine. But I still want a favor if I survive. And I want your oath that you’ll give me whatever it is I ask of you.”
She flicked a gaze at Asmodeus to see his eyes gleaming at her again, as if he almost … respected her in that moment. And as she turned to find Azazil’s answer, she saw he was smiling, as if enjoying himself immensely. “You have my oath that if you survive, I will grant you a favor, if it is within my power to do so.”
“Done.”
Asmodeus was a blur, his glowing fist crashing down into her chest before Ari had even blinked. Shocked agony tore through Ari as his dark eyes bored into her pleading ones. I am sorry, his voice whispered inside her head. Or had she just imagined it?
It was with relief that his fist withdrew from her, light pulsing between the cracks in his fingers. They uncurled slowly, and the throbbing ball of ember in his palm was the last thing Ari saw before the sweet relief of dying pain swept her away on its tides …
Ari clawed her way through the dark and forced her eyes open.
Her hand automatically searched her chest for the pain.
Just a memory. She closed her eyes in relief until she remembered Michael had arrested Charlie.
Charlie was going to die.
And Pazuzu was still out there, plotting and planning to destroy her and the people she loved. He might not be the only one. Some inn still assumed she was the seal …
No, Ari, her subconscious whispered.
No? She opened her eyes again, her hand still on her chest.
The favor.
Of course. She bolted upright. Azazil owed her a favor. Suddenly, the images from her dreams filtered back to her until the last one danced in front of her eyes, taunting her. It was the one of her dad, Derek, standing outside their home in Sandford Ridge, teaching her how to throw a punch properly.
An idea started forming, an idea that caused her heart to race and her blood to rush. Ari threw back her covers and got out of bed, steadying herself on shaking legs. It was risky. It was possibly impossible … but it might change everything. And Azazil did owe her a favor.
This would be one helluva favor.
But Ari needed to do it.
As Shakespeare once said, “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.”
Chapter
Nine
Unravel Me
Ari dressed quickly and quietly. Now that her decision was made, she needed to move fast. Who knew how little time Charlie had left?
Tiptoeing out of her room, Ari froze in the hallway, ears pricked as she listened to the house. It was dark out here and down the stairs, suggesting everyone had gone to bed. Closing her eyes, Ari let her magic push to the fore and she felt outward with her energy, seeking others. It wasn’t long before she encountered the familiar taste of Jai’s extraordinary aura, meaning he was sleeping in his own room tonight to give her some space. A pang of emotion, of heartfelt gratitude and love, echoed in her chest. Ari pulled back her energy from his in case he suddenly sensed her.
Sending her feelers out again, Ari discovered a presence she’d been hoping was hanging out at the house. On silent feet, Ari headed down the hallway to Trey’s room and held her breath, listening for any sound.
Nothing.
Trey? Are you in there?
A beat later … Ari?
His bedroom door swung slowly open to reveal him standing in boxer shorts, his hair a mess, his eyes blinking back sleep. “You—”
Don’t speak! She held up a hand and glanced down the hall to Jai’s room. When she turned to Trey he was frowning, and he’d crossed his arms over his lean, athletic torso in a “I’m not to be messed with right now” kind of way. Can I speak to my uncle?
Trey’s frown deepened. What’s going on? What don’t you want Jai to hear?
Trey, Glass. I want to speak to Glass.
Before Trey could answer, a large hand appeared above Trey’s on the door and pushed it open. Glass towered above a very tall Trey, his long cerulean hair loose down his bare back. For a moment Ari was distracted by the sight of the two impossibly gorgeous men standing together, and she had to shake her head. Priorities, Ari! Priorities!