bicep. “What’s with the purple glow?”
“I’m not sure…” My heartbeats quickened with each slap of my boots on the cement.
When we reached the first floor, a tower of jet-black hair, sinewy muscle and pointed horns blocked our way.
Chapter Sixteen
Son of a biscuit!
Delacroix glared down at me, two endless pools of onyx boring into my very soul. “Just the demon I was looking for.”
Flix staggered back, his wings shaking like leaves on a chilly autumn day. The wake-up bell hadn’t even sounded yet. How was Delacroix out of his cage?
“Where have you been, little girl?” His toothy sneer sent shards of ice through my veins.
Drawing in a breath, I attempted to rein in my erratic heartbeats and composed my nerves. “Mostly in my cell,” I answered, pleased with the steel in my tone. “Except for the oddest thing—this nasty caracara demon attacked me in the shower yesterday.”
His jaw contracted. “That is odd. I’ve heard summoning one of those beasts isn’t easy.”
“Nope, not at all.”
“I’m glad to see you survived.”
“Me too.” I wrapped my arms across my chest, throwing my shoulders back. Don’t ever let them see fear, right?
“I’m still waiting for your response.”
“Oh, were you?” I batted my lashes and shot him my most innocent smile. “I thought since I’d gotten the meeting with the warden on my own, our deal was null and void?”
His wild dark brows smashed together. “Be that as it may, I did provide you with some information. Or did you already forget?”
“Nope.” I popped my P for extra emphasis. “I just thought that since you hadn’t come through on the second part, we could call it even.”
A sharp chuckle burst from his thinned lips. “Not even close, little girl. And I haven’t forgotten that you have yet to declare your loyalty. Time’s a ticking…”
I raised my arm and flicked my wrist, showcasing my cuff. “Too bad my watch is broken.”
Flix whimpered behind me.
Delacroix’s thick, clawed fingers closed around my wrist and I let out a squeal. Bad move. Very bad move, Azara. “You do know what day it is today, don’t you? I’ve been meaning to reward my boys for their good behavior.” He hauled me forward, and I did my best to dig my heels into the ground. To no avail.
“Flix!” I shouted, but the scaredy faery didn’t move. Two dark shadows coalesced over my shoulder, each grabbing an arm. “Let go of me!”
Delacroix flashed me an ominous grin as his thugs dragged me away. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Azara. I had big plans for you. I only hope this will steer you in the right direction.”
His raspy voice fell away the further we moved and the stronger the jackhammering of my heart pounded against my ribcage. I had zero desire to discover what the heck this meant. Memories of the jagga twins’ hot breath against my face sent an icy chill spilling down my spine. Oh, please don’t let it be them.
I glanced out the corner of my eye at thug number one, and his amber eyes gave him away—wolf shifter. On my right, a female. With her short cropped blue hair, I’d missed it at first, but now that I had a moment to stare I recognized her siren qualities. These two weren’t even demons. Damn, Delacroix really had his fingers everywhere.
“Please, let me go.” I turned to the woman, hoping for some sort of sisterhood solidarity. Her crimson lips curled into a sneer, and she trained her cold gaze forward.
The halls were still empty. How was it possible the morning bell hadn’t rung on the one day I needed it? My desperate gaze landed on a camera in the corner, and a twinge of hope gurgled in my gut. Then I remembered the caracara attack. All the cameras had been conveniently turned off—I doubted this would be any different.
“Help!” I shrieked. “Help!”
A sharp sting exploded across my cheek, and my head whipped back. Effin’ hell! A pungent copper taste filled my mouth, and a trickle of warm blood dribbled down my chin.
“Shut your trap, or I’ll shut it for you,” the guy growled.
My head spun from the hit, and I blinked quickly to chase away the twinkling stars from my vision. A tickle danced over my flesh, like static electricity across my upper arm. Beneath the werewolf’s thick fingers, my demon’s mark pulsated. It was slight at first, then ratcheted up to match the erratic beats of my heart.
The werewolf jerked his hand off me, a sharp hiss