A Crown Of Shadows And Secrets - Sloane Murphy Page 0,66
mean?” I ask, quickly losing my patience.
“Well,” she says, her voice twinkling with laughter. “I told you there was no cost to stay the night. You never mentioned anything about leaving.”
I clench my fists at my side and look to my guys. Not one of them has moved a muscle since I stood, and I realize their eyes are glassy, as if they're not even in the room with us.
“What did you do?” I growl, and I feel a spark inside of me, something I haven't felt before, deep inside. Ancient, stirring, power.
“Now then, Shadow Walker. You know the game. You want something, you pay for it.”
“What is your cost?” I seethe, trying to keep myself under control, because lashing out isn't going to help anyone, but I want to rip that smile right off her fucking face.
“Blood, of course.” She smirks at me, and I hiss at her.
“But of course.” I roll my eyes and clench my fists before shoving them in my pockets so I don’t do everything I want to do, especially with my guys so fucking vulnerable right now.
“Let them go,” I tell her trying not to let every ounce of hatred show in my tone.
“Well, that just isn’t how these things work.” She smiles and takes another sip from her glass.
“Then why don’t you explain exactly what the fuck it is you want, without the games and bullshit.”
“You will fight, with opponents of my choice. For each you defeat, you win back one of your lovely lovers. For each you lose, I will keep one.”
Fucking Demon bitch.
The urge to slit her throat is real.
But I don’t want to get stuck on this stupid fucking level, and I don’t want to risk the guys being trapped in whatever trance they’re in until the end of time.
Shit.
“When, and how?” I ask, sitting back down at the table, debating sitting on my hands so I don’t strangle the psycho bitch.
“I don’t see any reason to wait, we can head to the Pit now if you wish. Weapons are allowed, I’ll outlaw magic since you’re not so inclined, though any shapeshifting will be allowed,” she says and I want to smack that stupid fucking smirk off of her face, but I tamper down the rage. I’ll save it for these ridiculous fights, as if I don’t have enough shit to worry about right now.
“And, until someone taps out, or to the death. They are the only two ways out.”
“Well, considering I’m not giving up my guys, I guess you’re about to lose some warriors,” I snarl.
“I will let you go and prepare yourself. Your men will be quite safe, until the fights are over. If they are free, I will grant each of you free passage to the next level, but if you fail, I pick who stays,” I growl at her words and she laughs. “Now then, Shadow Walker, do you accept the terms?”
“I don’t have much fucking choice, do I?” I say through gritted teeth, that seed of something ancient stirs in me again, but I smother it. I don’t know what it is, or where it’s come from, but now is not the time.
“I mean, you definitely have a choice, Remy, darling. You could choose to leave these beautiful men behind, and I will add them to my collection of toys happily. Though, I can’t say how long they’d stay happy for.” She cackles. “So yes, you have a choice.”
“There are no other bindings, or loop holes beyond, I win the fight, I win one of my men back?” I ask, making sure no further Demon dickish trickery slips me up.
“Yes, no further tricks or loops holes. Simple terms. We’ll swear it in blood,” she says, her eyes narrowing.
“In blood?”
“It means that I cannot falter on the terms, but neither can you. It’s old magic, but I like your fire. I’m willing to make the bargain if you are.” She leans back with a shrug.
“Let’s get to it,” I say pulling a dagger from my boot.
“I knew I liked you.” She smiles, and it makes my blood boil. I can’t tell if I just hate her this much, or if it’s part of being on this level, but I can honestly say I’ve never wanted to gut someone and dance in their entrails more than I have her… except maybe Archer.
She holds out her hand for me and I take an extreme amount of pleasure in slicing across her flesh, deeper than I needed, but I