to save. All I ask in return is that you promise to visit me again. I tire of the same thing every night. I would like to see the fruits of my labors in action.”
I knew it couldn’t be that easy. Ethan had said not to make a deal with the demon, but really, he wasn’t asking for much. It sounded simple enough, but I did have to wonder. What could possibly be in it for him?
Then again, did it really matter? This whole thing might be some sort of trap, but it was Thomas I was doing it for. I couldn’t just turn away what might be the only chance I had of curing him. What more could the demon possibly do to me that hasn’t already been done before?
“Fine,” I said. “You help save Thomas and I will come and see you again.”
Beligral smiled. “I will do my best,” he said. “Do you agree to our terms?”
“Kat ...”
“Yeah,” I said, ignoring Ethan’s pleading tone.
Beligral’s smile widened. “Then it is done.”
A searing pain behind my ear jolted me back against the table. It was gone almost as soon as it had happened.
“What the hell was that?” I gasped.
Ethan’s eyes filled with tears. His mouth opened and closed a few times; then he turned away.
“No need to dismiss me,” Beligral said. “I’ll see you soon.” He turned and flipped a hand upward. The air seemed to rip with the motion, exposing the blackness again. He glanced back at me once more, winked, and then stepped through. The hole closed as soon as he was gone. All five candles snuffed out at the same instant.
I groaned and slumped to the floor, all the energy flooding from my body. Had I really made a deal with a demon?
Ethan had yet to face me again. He walked around the circle, murmuring as he gathered his candles. He set them on the table and leaned against it. He was trembling.
I watched him clean up, wondering how he knew if the demon was really gone. If Beligral could hide his true nature, then couldn’t he very well hide his presence? Hell, it was obvious he could dismiss himself from our world. Did that mean he could summon himself as well?
“I’ll take you to the Den,” I said, barely able to look up. “You can summon him where they have Thomas held.”
Ethan spun around, eyes bulging from his head. “No,” he said. “I can’t do this anywhere else.”
“I can’t bring Thomas here,” I said.
“You have to. I can’t go ... go out there.” He looked up toward the ceiling as if he could see the night sky. “Everything I need is here.”
I closed my eyes. My throat was dry, and my head and back hurt. I was sure I was bleeding again, but I just didn’t care. “Fine,” I said. “I’ll find a way to get him here. Can you summon him again tonight?”
“Tonight?” Ethan bit his lower lip. “I could, but he doesn’t like it.”
“Tough,” I said, standing. “I’ll be back later, Thomas in tow. Be ready for me.”
Ethan nodded. I started to turn away, but he stopped me. “You shouldn’t have made a deal with him,” he said in a small voice. “He has you now.”
“He doesn’t have a damn thing.” I paused. I hadn’t meant to snap at him like that. I softened my voice as I spoke. “I had to do it. For Thomas.”
“You’re marked,” Ethan said. “You won’t be able to escape him now.”
I reached up and touched the spot behind my ear that had flared in pain. There was something there. The flesh was raised, bumpy.
I dropped my hand. I wanted to break down and cry, but I steeled myself instead. I was terrified. I’d probably made a mistake by making a deal with the demon, but what choice had I had?
“I’ll deal with it,” I said. “Just be ready when I return.”
Ethan didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to.
I headed upstairs to get my gear. My hand drifted to the mark behind my ear. My hands were trembling, but at least Ethan hadn’t seen it. What had I done?
I strapped on my weapons, checked to make sure the Glock was loaded and the knives were sharp. I smoothed back my hair, my hands still trembling, and headed for the door. There wasn’t anything I could do about the mark now. I’d made my choice.
I left to get my brother.
30
A handful of terrified Cultists were standing just inside the door