high mage as well. Best to keep the conversation brief.
The Keeper, at least I assumed this dude was the Keeper of Souls, grinned at Rage. “Whatever, you’re alive. I haven’t had live bodies here in ages! Whom do I owe for this wonderful gift?”
That could be taken in a lot of ways—a lot of creepy ways.
I gulped. “Surlama said you guys were friends—”
As I spoke, his upper lip pulled back into a sneer. “Surlama is a con artist and a hag. She’s screwed me out of a lot of souls over the years. I refuse to owe her a debt of gratitude.”
Wonderful. Of course they weren’t friends.
“Well, I brought you something.” I pulled the jewel Grandpa had given me and held it up. “A trade.”
The Keeper dude went very, very still. “Who gave you that?”
He was practically drooling, and I wondered what made this gem so special. Judging by the wealth all around us, he didn’t need more stones or crystals. He crossed the space, and as he drew closer, I shifted my weight from foot to foot.
After forcing a swallow, I replied, “The Mage Master of Spirit. Honor Midnight died like … an hour and a half ago, and we want him back. I’ve come to bargain for him and—”
Plucking it from my grasp, he shivered and popped it into his mouth and then swallowed it! “Deal,” he said with a grin. “When you get back to the surface, you may call for Honor, and I’ll let him go.”
Uh … that was easy. Maybe even too easy. I looked at Rage, who was frowning at the dude.
“Uh, the gem you just swallowed was to secure our release as well,” I said, my stomach twisting uneasily. “I hope you didn’t misunderstand—”
“No, that wasn’t the deal.” The Keeper wagged a finger at me. “You said you came to trade for Honor Midnight’s release.”
“But you didn’t even let her finish speaking!” Rage snapped. “How is she supposed to call for Honor if she’s stuck down here? We need you to send us back to the mortal realm.”
“Sorry, pretty boy, the soul stone bought your brother’s release from this realm, not yours. And not hers.”
“You mean you won’t let us out of here?” My voice cracked as anger bubbled up inside of me.
He shrugged, clearly unperturbed by our distress. “Unless you have any more soul stones?”
Soul stone? What in the hell was that? Negotiating with swindlers was not in my skillset. At all.
“There must be something else you want! Blood of a virgin?” I extended my finger, and Rage swatted my hand away from the Keeper while glaring at me.
The Keeper laughed. “You’re both adorable. But what use is blood in the Realm of the Dead? Even yours, Spirit Walker.”
Okay…
“What about a favor? He’s going to be the alpha king one day.” I pointed to Rage, who narrowed his eyes at me. I wanted to snap at my mate, but my frustration wasn’t with him. Still, I wouldn’t mind a little help.
The Keeper grinned. “I have no use of a mortal favor. Now, if you have someone to take your place, I’d allow that and let you free.”
Rage’s face darkened.
“No. Way,” I growled as fury filled me. “You’re just like Surlama.”
He froze, spinning slowly, and pinned me with a narrow gaze. “How dare you compare me to that outer-ring cheat!”
Was he kidding? “How is what you just did any different than her? You tricked me by manipulating my words against me—and you know it.”
His eyes darkened until all I could see was black. “Fine. I’ll let you and your mate go if you’ll kill Surlama. I’d even be willing to owe you a favor.”
Wow! My hatred of the dark mage paled in comparison to the loathing emanating from the Keeper. I glanced at Rage, and he nodded, so I placed my fist over my left breast. “I will.”
He rubbed his hands together as his expression went from glaring daggers to eager, bright-eyed-grin in a heartbeat. “When?”
I gulped. He wanted a timeline? “Excuse me?”
“We’re making a deal. I want to know when I can expect her soul.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. I had no idea how hard it would be to kill her.
“Give us a week,” Rage demanded.
The Keeper winced. “Your brother has…” He paused a moment, closing his eyes. “Seventy-two hours, thirty-nine minutes, and seventeen seconds before he’s stuck here forever. I suggest something less than that.”
“Fine,” I growled with frustration. “We’ll give you Surlama’s soul within seventy-two hours if you let