“Who says it was on your behalf? Maybe I did it soIcould rid myself of the bond.”
“Mina. Little dhampir.” He leans back enough that he can hold my gaze. “It will happen again. Even if you manage to break it this time, the bond is part of being a seraph. I’m not leaving you. I’ll just end up bonded to you again.”
“No.” I try to jerk back, but he tightens his grasp just enough to keep me in place.
“You can’t run from this.”
“Then I just won’t fuck vampires. Simple solution.” It’s not simple and it’s not feasible, though. Not if I want to be heir and dispose of my father. Playing vampire politics will be challenging enough with a strong partner at my side. Alone? It’s just adding another layer of complications to the mix because they’ll vie for a place in my bed and resent me when I don’t give it to anyone.
Another trap.
Another choice, taken away.
I drag in a breath. “Please stop pushing me. I’m doing the best I can.”
“I know.” He wraps his arms around me and hugs me close. “I don’t say this to hurt you, little dhampir. You have to know the boundaries of the fight before you can set foot into the arena.”
From the moment we met, Malachi has expected so much of me. Again and again, he’s challenged me to find new ways to fight, to utilize every weapon at my disposal. “I’m tired.”
“I know.”
I allow myself to lean on him for five slow breaths. When I straighten, he releases me easily. I don’t feel more centered, but with each path that’s removed from my options, my intent becomes clearer. There really is no other way.
Back in the bedroom, I’m not even surprised to find the closet filled with a wide variety of clothing. A quick check confirms that it’s in both mine and Malachi’s size. I suspect the other rooms have the same for Rylan and Wolf. “I still don’t understand how you were able to outfit so many places on such short notice. Isn’t is a concern that doing so will draw my father’s notice since he’s hunting us?”
“We used an intermediary. He’s someone who isn’t a known ally to any of us.” Malachi motions at the room we currently occupy. “Though we didn’t use him for this one.”
Curiosity sinks its barbs into me. It’s such a welcome distraction from the constant cycle of desire and fear and anger that it leaves me breathless for a moment. After a brief internal debate, I pull on a pair of leggings, thick socks, and a knit sweater. “Will you tell me about the person who owns this house?”
“It’s not my story to tell.” He dresses as quickly as I did. I’m mildly amused to discover that his clothing options are more of the same—fitted pants and a loose white shirt. Malachi really is as eclectic as Wolf when it comes to his clothing, even if his style is more understated. Slightly. He turns toward the door. “But if you ask Rylan, he might tell you.”
“I will.” I follow Malachi back into the living room. One of the other men has got the fire going, and the cozy impression of this room only gets stronger with flames sending light dancing across the ceiling and walls.
Wolf is once again dressed in his customary trousers, suspenders, and graphic T-shirt. Rylan surprises me, though. I half-expected him to have a suit on, but he’s got lounge pants and a knitted sweater. His feet are bare. I stare at them for a long moment, my chest feeling strange. It’s such a small thing. Bare feet. People go barefoot all the time. I don’t know why the sight ofRylan’sbare feet has my heart beating oddly against my ribs.
I drag my gaze to the fire. A much safer subject.
Wolf claps his hands and rubs them together in something like glee. “Now. Let’s get down to it.”
28
When Wolf finishes detailing the terms of the demon bargain, the silence is thick enough to cut through with a chain saw. Rylan is so still, I don’t think he’s breathing. Malachi keeps clenching and unclenching his fists.
I shift in my seat in the middle of the couch. “We didn’t promise anything.”
“And you won’t.” Rylan cuts in before Malachi can say whatever he’s stewing on. “Those terms are unacceptable.”
I straighten my spine. “Everyone in this room is making sacrifices to ensure I become heir so we stop being hunted. I’m willing to make sacrifices, too.”
“I swear to fuck, Mina—”
Again, Rylan cuts off Malachi. “There are too many potential pitfalls. Time moves strangely in the demon realms, which is something Wolf already brought up. Beyond that, we don’t know how your seraph bond might work with demons.” He shakes his head. “If it tries to bond with whoever bought you at auction, they will kill you before letting themselves be bound. The cost is too high.”
“We can bargain on my safety.” I don’t know why I’m arguing this. Ultimately, he’s right. No matter what my feelings on the matter are, if all three of them are in agreement, then I need to listen to their opinions. Rushing forward because I feel guilty is foolish. “There’s room for negotiation.”
“It won’t save you.” Malachi crosses his arms over his broad chest. “The demon who kills you will face punishment, but you’ll still be dead.”
I open my mouth, but change my mind before I tell him it’s a reasonable risk. Judging from the look on his face, he won’t thank me for saying as much. “If you’re all in agreement…”