demon, but Falon is in-between so calling him by name and offering an exchange of blood is most likely to work.” Willow held up a knife with a golden hilt. “Whenever you’re ready.”
I stared at the circle. It crawled with negativity, the promise of dark things. Taking a deep breath, I spoke the summons, enunciating carefully. Then, I held my hand out to Willow. Grasping my wrist, he held my hand over the circle and sliced into my palm. The blood ran down to stain the carpet with bright red blotches. I tensed, waiting for something to happen.
At first nothing did. I thought it had failed. Then a strange, burnt metal smell filled the room, followed by a growing mist in the center of the circle. It materialized into Falon, who stood there disoriented. His pale gaze went from me to Willow. Realization struck and rage filled his eyes.
“You stupid fucking animal,” he seethed. “You’ve gotten too cocky for your own good. And you,” he directed his anger at Willow, “I should have known you’d turn up. And, with a Hound of all of things. I suppose you think by helping her you can earn your way back in.”
“We’re not here to talk about me.” Willow shrugged, unaffected.
“Falon, I want to know how to find Lilah. Where is she?” I got right to the point, refusing to respond to his insults.
His sneer was expected. “No need to worry about that. She’ll find you when she’s ready.”
“Where the hell is she? You’re not getting out of that circle until you tell us.” Jez approached with hands clenched into fists. I stopped her from getting too close, afraid she would step in the salt line.
Falon grinned. “You are a feisty one, aren’t you?”
Jez growled and shot him a vicious glare. I cut in before she snapped. Palming the cross, I stood as close to the circle as I could safely get. I knew I might have to cross it and even hoped it would come to that.
“I’m going to find her, Falon,” I said, my gaze locked on his. “You’re going to help me. I know who Lilah’s hiding from. I’ll do whatever it takes to lead him to her. Are you willing to do what it takes to keep him from finding her? What’s she really worth to you?”
His gaze narrowed. His substantial wings flared out behind him, hitting the invisible wall of the ten-foot summoning circle.
“You don’t know anything,” he spoke through clenched teeth. “Now, let me out of this circle, and just maybe, I won’t tear your head off your shoulders.”
I smiled, pleased with his anger. “I know she was promised to someone. And, I know that someone isn’t you.”
“So you know it all, do you? I bet you’re feeling pretty proud. Well, since you are doing such a great job digging up information, find Lilah yourself.”
Falon’s expression was stone cold. Crossing his arms, he did his best to stare me down. His taller frame might have given the illusion that it was working, but even a fallen angel can’t stare down a wolf.
The cross was warm in my hand. I wrapped the chain around my fist and held tight.
Willow caught my elbow before I could make a move. “Remember, once you enter the circle, you’re trapped inside until someone on the outside breaks it.”
I nodded, braced myself and stepped carefully over the salt line. There was resistance, like walking through water. Then I was through, and the circle closed behind me as strong as if it had been a concrete wall. Fascinating.
Falon stood his ground in the center, refusing to back up even a little. He held his hands up to keep me at arm’s length. “You really are a crazy bit—”
I clasped his hands in mine, slipping my fingers between his and holding tight. The cross was lodged firmly between our joined hands. Falon’s insult immediately became a scream.
Connecting with Falon opened me up to his energy. It ran over me like a waterfall soaking me in his essence. It was pain and pleasure twisted into a delightful rush that I both loved and hated. I tasted all that he was in that moment, discovering the depths of his power. He was an impressive creature, but he had weaknesses. I was determined to exploit them.
With a push of power, I drove him to his knees. A venomous hatred flashed in his eyes as he gazed up at me. I wouldn’t always have the advantage with Falon; I