Thorn Queen Page 0,81

Yet, if I could summon lightning, I could blow a fair number of those fucking demons out of existence. Surely that was a good use of my power. Unfortunately, what I'd said to Ysabel was true. It was going to take awhile, and until I developed some other amazing weapon, those demons were going to keep coming back and-

I froze, suddenly forgetting about the phenomenal power I'd just touched. I had a weapon right in front of me, something that might seriously get rid of those demons once and for all. Unfortunately, it was not an easy one to use.

"Son of a bitch," I said. "Jasmine."

Chapter Seventeen

Jasmine nearly leapt ten feet in the air when I came tearing through the hall that led to her cell.

"You!" I exclaimed. "You can summon water demons."

She widened her eyes, speechless for a change. It appeared as though I'd interrupted her doing...well, nothing. In a fit of guilt, I'd sent some books down to her to pass the time, but reports from the guards said she did little but sulk. Well, that and try to cajole them to let her out. I guess she figured she'd deal with Volusian after she got one of the guards to crack.

Recovering herself a moment later, she adopted a sneer reminiscent of Ysabel's. Considering their mutual hatred of me, maybe I should have sent her down here to entertain Jasmine.

"Maybe," Jasmine conceded. "Why? Afraid I'll use them to break out?"

"No," I said. "But I need them to get rid of some fire demons."

Roland had told me the best way to oust the demons would be by summoning their opposites. I'd dismissed the idea then, knowing it was beyond my capability. At the same time, I'd considered the possibility that Jasmine could do it...though it had seemed a useless sentiment considering I'd had no clue to her whereabouts or any reason to think she'd help me.

But now? Well, things were different.

Art's attitude had left me feeling helpless and ineffectual. Now, I suddenly felt as though I had the means to take control and actually right some wrongs in this kingdom.

"So?" Jasmine asked, not seeming startled in the least. "That's got nothing to do with me."

"Not true. You're going to help me. We're going to face them and their master, and you're going to summon water creatures to take down those demons."

Jasmine's expression was almost comic in its disbelief. "Why would I help you?"

I tried good cop first. "Because it's the right thing to do. They're hurting innocent people."

"So? Like I said, that doesn't affect me."

"Spoken like the selfish child you are." She flushed. Considering her obsession with having a baby and ruling over both worlds, she didn't like having her age or capabilities mocked. "I thought you wanted to be the queen of this land once."

She glowered. "Yes. And I would have been if you hadn't stolen it!"

"Why? Why be queen if you have no intention of doing anything? Did you just want to wear a crown and have people grovel?"

She didn't acknowledge that and instead replied stonily, "I'm not helping you."

I stepped toward the bars, smiling sweetly, even though I was about to enter bad-cop mode. "Oh, you are. Whether you like it or not."

"What, you're going to force me or something?"

In a matter of seconds, I had my Glock out and pointing straight at her. She paled and backed up against the wall, looking very much like she wanted to melt into it. Behind me, I heard a slight shuffling among the guards. Guns were a very human weapon, made of steel and alloys and other substances that were anathema to the gentry. They were equally deadly to humans-or, in Jasmine's case, half-humans.

"You're crazy," she said.

I shrugged. "I've got a job to do, and you're key to getting it done. You can cooperate, and maybe I'll improve your living arrangements. Give you a room instead of a cell."

I could see thoughts and schemes spinning behind her eyes. Jasmine was young, inexperienced, and self-centered...but she wasn't stupid. I had to think somewhat cheerfully that that too was a family trait.

"And if I don't do it, you're going to shoot me?"

"Well, everyone says I should kill you anyway."

My voice was calm, my face hard. I didn't know if she would believe me or not. Hell, I didn't know if I believed myself. She knew I had little love for her after everything she'd done, and I'd long had a reputation as a ruthless fighter and-as many gentry saw