Текст книги "The demons queen"

Автор книги: Katee Robert

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CHAPTER 19

EVE

Ilie in bed next to Azazel each night, tucked against his strong, warm body, only to wake up alone each morning. When we have sex, it’s frenzied, as if each time is our last. We share meals, the conversation stilted and filled with things unsaid.

It feels like we’re saying goodbye in slow motion. Truly, this time.

I love him, but how can I let myself sink fully into something that should be a joy when the circumstances make it a horror? I’m still trapped in the castle, still knitting away as if I’m the miller’s daughter, trying to spin yarn into forgetting my reality. In the weeks that follow, I finish both sleeves of the sweater and complete the ribbing of the hem.

I’m weaving in the last end when the entire castle shudders. In my time here, we’ve never had anything resembling an earthquake, and from the way the floor suddenly angles beneath my feet, that’s not what’s happening now. “I’m going!”

The shaking continues as I hurry down the newly opened hallway and a single staircase. I nearly keep going, but the castle raises a step in front of me, stopping me in the doorway near the front entrance. I realize why immediately.

Azazel stands there, taking up even more space than he does normally. I thought I’d seen him furious before, but that was nothing compared to how lethal he sounds as he snarls, “What are you doing here?”

For a horrified moment, I almost convince myself he’s talking to me, but he doesn’t seem to even be aware that I’m close. Instead, he’s glaring at . . . I shift a little to the side, trying to stay as much in the shadows as possible. Oh.

The bargainer in the doorway is nearly the same size as Azazel. The familial resemblance is uncanny: the same crimson skin, the same bald head with the same shape horns, the same massive body. The same ruggedly handsome face. The only difference is this bargainer’s dark eyes are flat and furious. Brosh. It has to be.

He spreads his arms, arrogant and hateful. “I heard you were looking for me.”

“Give me one good reason I shouldn’t kill you where you stand.”

“You’re too honorable.” Brosh says it like it’s an insult. “Which is why you’ve taken us down a route we may never recover from as a people. That stops now.” His grin is downright mean. “I challenge you for leadership of this territory.”

I expect Azazel to curse him. Maybe to attack right here and now. He certainly looks like he wants to. Instead, he laughs in disbelief. “You bloody fool. You actually think you can beat me.”

“I know I can.”

Azazel shakes his head. “So be it. I accept. I’ll have the square cleared within the hour. Get out of my sight until then.”

Brosh backs up slowly, still smiling. “Best say goodbye to your little human. She won’t survive to see nightfall.”

I flinch. I can’t help it. I’ve had some truly horrific experiences with exes, but I’ve never been threatened so casually—or intentionally. The doors slam shut in Brosh’s face, then the lock clicks loudly in the sudden silence. It won’t be enough to keep him out, not when Azazel has accepted his challenge.

Azazel has accepted his challenge.

“Don’t do it.” I step up and into the hallway, crossing to Azazel. “Don’t fight him.”

His brows go up when he sees me, but he doesn’t chastise me for eavesdropping. He just pulls me into his arms, holds me close like he may not get another opportunity to do so. “This was always the plan, Eve.”

Eve. Not baby girl.

There’s no reason for that distinction to hurt, less reason for it to worry me even more. I cling to him and bury my face in his chest. “Please, Daddy. I can’t stand the thought of something happening to you.” We might be broken to a degree that there’s no fixing, but I still love him. I don’t want him hurt. I sure as fuck don’t want him dead.

He strokes a hand up my spine and cups the back of my head. “You’ll be safe as soon as he’s dead. I intended to challenge him, but he’s made things even simpler. He challenged me. No one in my family, my territory, or the entire damned realm can say it wasn’t fairly done.” He kisses my forehead and steps back. “And when he’s dead, I’ll nullify the contract and send you home. You have my word.”

I stare up into his handsome face. This is what I wanted, isn’t it? To be safe. To return home and regain my freedom. To get my life back.

So why does the idea of it feel so empty?

Azazel doesn’t give me time to process. His attention snags on something behind me. “You heard.”

Ramanu’s voice sounds just as troubled as I feel. “I heard. You sure about this?”

“Yes.”

Ramanu sighs. “Then I’d best get to work on getting the square ready.” They clear their throat. “Eve, I’d like to introduce you to Lenora. She’s been here a little while, but you’ve been distracted and I didn’t want to intrude.”

Distracted. That’s one way to put it. I make myself drop my arms and turn away from Azazel to find a pretty white woman standing next to Ramanu. She’s got lightly tanned skin, long dark hair, and a sharply curious look on her face. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All good things, all good things.” Though Ramanu is trying to put a good face on things, their tone is distracted and worried. “Keep an eye on her.”

“Of course.” Lenora accepts their distracted kiss and then they sweep away, slip through the doors and out of the castle. She raises an eyebrow at Azazel. “Don’t you have some preparing to do? I have a spell or two that could come in handy if you’re interested.”

“That would be cheating.”

There’s the soft sound of movement behind me, and when I turn around, Azazel is gone. I can’t help the way my shoulders drop at the realization. “What if he loses?”

“Then he dies, and Ramanu and I spirit you back to the human realm before that bastard Brosh has a chance to lay a single finger on you.” She takes in my stricken expression and winces. “Right. Wrong priority. You’re not worried about your freedom—you’re worried about him.”

“Of course I’m worried about him,” I snap. It’s not fair to take my fear and frustration out on this woman I just met, but I can’t help it. “I love him.”

“Hmm. Have you told him that?” She holds up her hands when I glare. “Guess not. I’d advise against any last-minute declarations of feelings until after he wins. That kind of thing gets distracting.”

“You are not helping,” I hiss.

“Right.” Lenora shrugs. “Look, if Azazel is half as good as Ramanu is, he’ll have this in the bag. Did you know Ramanu ripped off my ex’s head in a similar tournament battle? It was deeply impressive, even if the blood got everywhere.”

I blink. Obviously I am aware of Ramanu’s and Azazel’s prowess as warriors. The fight in front of the castle all those weeks ago was proof enough of that. But while that experience traumatized the fuck out of me, apparently violence excites Lenora. She’s practically vibrating as she recounts the battle, giving me entirely more detail than I need. By the end of it, I’m feeling woozy. “That’s . . . something.”

Her smile is sharp. “And it stopped you from freaking out about Azazel for a little while.” She loops her arm through mine. “Come on. We may as well get a good seat.”

I find myself digging in my heels. “It’s not safe.”

“Honey, it’s about as safe as it can be. Brosh is confident enough to challenge Azazel, so he won’t fuck with you in the meantime.”

I don’t know how this woman seems to have such a grasp on things when I’m spinning out, but maybe that’s part of what drew Ramanu to her in the first place: She’s entirely unbothered by this whole fiasco.

Truth be told, the thought of waiting in my room to find out if Azazel is dead or victorious is too much. I nod jerkily. “Okay, fine. Let’s go.”

To my surprise, the castle doesn’t try to stop us. The doors open easily, and we march toward the square where Ramanu took me shopping on that ill-fated day. In the time Lenora was spinning her bloody tale, the center of the square has been entirely cleared and a crowd has gathered around the perimeter.

Ramanu themself is there, and they seem exasperated as they wave us over. “You know, when I told you to help, I didn’t intend for you to bring Eve here.”

“I know,” Lenora says primly. “But I’m still helping. I’ll keep her safe so you can focus on Azazel.”

I know Ramanu called her a witch and that magic exists, but it’s still hard to wrap my head around humans using it. Ramanu, on the other hand, looks visibly relieved. “Thanks, love.” They press a quick kiss to her lips and nudge us backward into an open doorway. “Stay here.”

A hush falls over the crowd as Brosh steps out of an alley and into the cleared space. He’s still grinning as if he’s not worried in the least. I would be less worried if he didn’t seem so confident as he rolls his massive shoulders and bounces on his toes like a boxer ready to go. I’m pretty sure his claws are longer than they were in the castle too. The easier to disembowel the man I love with.

Azazel walks out of the castle a few moments later. He’s changed into a pair of pants and little else. It seems like a terrible idea. Where is his armor? Shouldn’t he have a damned helmet or something? At least a neck guard to keep from having his throat ripped out!

Brosh yanks his shirt over his head and tosses it to the ground. “The mighty Azazel. Ready to die, cousin?”

Azazel doesn’t speak a word. He simply holds out a hand and crooks his fingers in a gesture that conveys “let’s get this over with.” I don’t know if his lack of theater is comforting or concerning, just a mask for a deeper worry.

There’s no time to decide. Brosh charges him, more bull than bargainer. He’s so incredibly fast—too fast. Azazel jumps back but too late; a swipe of Brosh’s claws opens up four deep gashes on Azazel’s chest.

I slap my hands over my mouth to keep my cry of concern internal. I won’t be the one to distract him, not when he needs every bit of his wits about him.

“Very good,” Lenora murmurs in my ear. “You’re doing well, Eve.”

Why be concerned about me when he may very well die right before my eyes?

There’s no space to ask. Brosh is on the attack again, swinging wildly. Azazel barely dodges the swipes, barely keeps a step ahead of his cousin. They circle the cleared space, sweat already gleaming on their bare skin. Sweat and blood on Azazel’s.

And Azazel hasn’t landed a single hit.

I don’t realize I’ve started shaking until Lenora wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Shh, shh, it’s fine. He’s playing a good game of strategy. I know it’s hard to see when you care about the person involved—trust me, I know—but he’s got things under control.”

Her words buzz over me but don’t penetrate. Not when my heart is being stalked by his enemy, his cousin, who clearly wants him dead. And he’s slowing down. Brosh lands a kick to Azazel’s chest and two swipes to his chest and shoulder. More blood paints the cobblestones. Only one person’s blood.

Brosh laughs and spreads his arms. “Is this your leader? He’s as weak as he’s made our territory. Pathetic.” He turns . . . and runs right into Azazel’s claws.

I gasp. The sound is lost in the midst of the crowd doing the same thing. Someone screams. A handful of people cheer.

Azazel appears tormented as he holds his cousin’s shoulder and shoves his claws deeper into Brosh’s stomach. Deeper and up . . . to rip out his heart. The man falls to the ground, dark eyes glassy with death. Azazel stares at the bloody heart in his claws and drops it on top of Brosh’s body.

As if sensing my gaze, he lifts his eyes to mine. There’s nothing of the man I’ve come to know so well, of the bargainer I love, there. Only emptiness.

Ramanu steps forward and raises their voice enough to be heard over those gathered. “The challenge has been issued, accepted, and completed. Brosh is dead. Azazel is victorious!”

This time, the cheers are loud enough to shake the very city.

Lenora squeezes my shoulder. “That’s about enough of that. Let’s get out of here.”

“Yeah,” I say numbly. It’s not even the death that’s rocked me this time. It’s the implication. Brosh is dead. Azazel managed to do it honorably, which removes the threat against me, once and for all. That means I can go back to my life. I can go home.

Too bad home has started to feel a whole lot like a magical castle and a giant bargainer who holds my heart.

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CHAPTER 20

EVE

Azazel finds me in my room barely an hour later. He’s taken the time to shower, which I both appreciate and resent. My emotions make no sense, not even to me, so I do my best to hold them in and wait for him to speak first.

He doesn’t make me wait long. “I need you to sign this.” He pulls a short stack of papers from his jacket and sets them on the table. A pen appears shortly after.

It’s happening. The thing I wanted so desperately for so long. I didn’t expect it to feel so hollow. “Just like that.”

“I gave you my word, Eve.” He keeps his tone carefully distant. As if I truly am just another contract to him. I know it’s a lie, that it’s just to protect himself, but it hurts more than I expect.

I don’t even read the papers before I scrawl my name in the appropriate spot and toss the pen aside. “Are you happy?”

“Are you?”

I refuse to cry, no matter how my throat clenches or my eyes burn. But I can’t meet his gaze either. “I don’t know how to feel, Azazel.” I swallow as best I can. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Brosh never had a chance of beating me,” he says softly. “He doesn’t have the experience or the patience. He was a fool to threaten you, and even more of a fool to come here to challenge me.” He reaches out and brushes my hair back from my face. “But you’re safe, so it was worth the cost.”

I can’t speak. I can’t even think. “What now?”

“Now, I take you home.”

I don’t expect him to mean right this second, but the room swirls around me in a sickening way that I recognize from the night he brought me here. I open my mouth to tell him to wait, to just give me a moment, but everything goes dark before I can utter a single word.

I wake up in darkness . . . except not true darkness. For the first time in months, I hear horns honking and the normal night sounds of the city. My city. I sit up so fast, my head spins. “Azazel!”

There’s no answer. Why would there be? I’m back in my apartment with its cool-blue walls, thick carpet underfoot, and silly little treasures that I can’t help but collect. Alone. I shiver. This space—my space—has never felt so barren before.

A vibrating sound makes me jump halfway out of my skin before I recognize my phone, lit up on my nightstand. Right. We have phones here. I fumble for it, the pressure in my chest loosening a fraction when I see Pope’s name on the screen. “Pope?”

“Where the fuck have you been?” There’s nothing of Pope’s customary smooth tone in the question. In fact, they sound downright haggard. “It’s been days, Eve. I get an SOS call from you, but when my guy gets into the hotel room, there’s no one there. I’ve had my people searching high and low for you. I thought you were dead.” Their voice breaks on the last word.

“I’m sorry.” I press my free hand to my forehead. “It’s, uh, a long story involving some light kidnapping.”

“Light kidnapping.” Their tone goes low and dangerous. “Is he there with you right now?”

“No,” I whisper. “I don’t think I’ll ever see Azazel again.” Somehow, during all the frustration and fury, it never felt real that Azazel would be removed from my life entirely.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

Pope takes a deep breath, and when they speak again, they sound more like themselves. “I’m on my way. Do I need to bring a doctor with me?”

“No. I’m okay. Shaken up, but otherwise fine.” Except for the gaping hole in my chest where my heart used to be.

Pope doesn’t believe me, and I don’t blame them. When they walk into my apartment an hour later, I can actually see the toll of the last few days. It’s there in their bloodshot dark-brown eyes, in the way their normally lustrous medium-brown skin has gone waxy. Their locs are pulled up away from their face, but even those don’t have as much bounce as I’m used to. Pope walks directly to me and pulls me into a hug that threatens to crush my ribs to dust. “I was so fucking worried about you.”

“I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t exactly have a choice.”

They step back but grip my shoulders, as if they can’t quite believe I’m here. That makes two of us. “Tell me everything.”

And so I do. The truth. Pope watches me closely. There’s no shock, no denial. Just a deep curiosity and investment in the story. Right up until the moment I explain how I got home.

They sit back and shake their head. “He’s a fool.”

“He did what I wanted.”

“Except it’s not what you wanted.” They roll their eyes. “You’ve wanted two things from the moment I’ve met you, Eve. Freedom and to be someone’s first priority. Not too much to ask in the grand scheme of things. All he had to do was talk to you and I’m sure you could have figured something out.” They shake their head. “I’m glad you’re home. I was losing my mind with worry. But it’s clear you’re not staying long.”

I blink. “You’re making a lot of assumptions.”

“Am I?” Pope smiles. “You forget. I know people, and I know you especially.” They reach out and clasp my hand. “I’ll be sad to see you go. Promise to check in periodically and let me know you’re alive.”

The room feels strangely liquid around me in a way that has nothing to do with magic and everything to do with shock. “You’re such an asshole. You couldn’t even give me a few minutes to figure it out on my own.”

“Time is money, baby.” They squeeze my hand and rise, stretching their arms over their head and making something in their spine pop. Their expression goes soft. “Unless you really mean to pick up your life right where you left off as if the last couple months didn’t happen and you aren’t in love with Azazel.”

I grit my teeth even as my chest flutters alarmingly. “I happen to like my life.”

“You were content. Not happy.” They shrug at my shock. “You’re one of my best friends, Eve. I wouldn’t have let you continue with the work if it was hurting you. You enjoyed yourself, but from the moment you started, you were simply killing time.”

“Stop analyzing me,” I snarl. “It’s rude.”

“It’s what I do, and you love me for it.” They slip their phone from the pocket of their tailored pants. “Now, do you want to take a few days for your pride to heal from the mortal wound of my knowing you well enough to predict your next move . . . or do you want to summon your demon lover?”

I narrow my eyes. “You’re taking the idea of demons and other realms too well. You didn’t even ask me if I was on drugs.”

“More things in heaven and earth and all that.” They wave it away. “I move in a lot of strange circles, and some of them are less human than you’d imagine.”

I can’t even process what they’re saying right now. Obviously I’m aware that Lenora came from this realm and she’s a witch with magic of her own so that means there must be other magic here . . . but I didn’t expect it to intersect my life. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

They shrug. “Some things are best kept separate; you never showed any interest in the paranormal. It’s not the sort of thing you bring up in mixed company unless you want to get those wild-eyed looks that I deeply dislike. Little did I know one of your favorite clients was a demon.”

This is all happening too fast . . . and yet not fast enough. It’s so easy to get swept up in Pope’s energy. Sometimes I dig my heels in out of sheer habit, but the truth is that they’re right. I already made my decision.

I inhale deeply and try to think. “I need a lawyer too.”

Pope’s brows wing up. “A lawyer.”

“One specializing in contracts.” The plan snaps into place. I don’t know how to summon a demon, but it can’t be that hard, right? Especially if Pope knows people who are familiar with the concept. “Once I get that ironed out, it’s time to summon Azazel.”

And this time, it truly will be a lifetime contract.

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CHAPTER 21

AZAZEL

Aside from that mess with Mina and her vampire lovers, no one has attempted to summon me in longer than I care to count. It takes me several long beats admit to understand what the gentle tugging in my chest means. Longer still to give in to the pull.

I have no interest in contracts and deals at the moment. In the days since I delivered Eve home, it’s rapidly become clear that I’ve made a terrible mistake. Everything is wrong. The light is dimmer. Food tastes of nothing. Everyone is furious with me, from Ramanu to the damned castle. They don’t understand.

If I hadn’t taken her home the first moment I could, I never would have. I’m not proud of that realization. Letting the woman I love wither away to nothing, trapping her in a life away from everything she’s ever known, welcoming her hate because at least that means she’s feeling something for me . . . I would have done it.

That makes me a monster.

I endure Ramanu’s spiked silence and Lenora’s cutting remarks. I don’t complain when the castle makes every trip four times as long as it needs to be. I even endure a strongly worded letter from Alice about how I’ve fucked up.

And now someone has the audacity to summon me. The tug in my chest becomes stronger, more insistent. They aren’t giving up. I should kill them where they stand. I’m certainly in the mood for it. But when I materialize in the human realm, it’s not a stranger outside the summoning circle.

It’s Eve.

She’s not alone. At her right, Pope lounges against the arm of her sofa, dressed in a suit with far too many buttons undone to be entirely decent. At her left, the witch responsible for the summoning, a white man with short blond hair and a world-weary expression. He sits back the moment I become corporeal. “Good luck.”

“Thank you for your service. Your fee has already been deposited,” Pope drawls. Their gaze rakes over me. “This is your true form? I have to say I prefer it.”

It’s only then that I realize my glamor hasn’t taken hold. Maybe that’s something to be concerned about, but I can’t quite manage to focus on anything but her. Eve kneels just outside the circle. She’s still wearing the same thing she was when I brought her home, loose pants and a tunic. Her hair is even the same, braided back from her face. “How long?”

“Less than twenty-four hours.”

I look around the space. This must be Eve’s apartment. I’ve never had cause to visit—some lines shouldn’t be crossed, even for prospective bargains—but it feels like her. “What am I doing here, Eve? You have no reason to be dissatisfied with the terms of the nullification. I gave you enough money that you should never have to work again if you’re not interested.”

Pope hisses out a curse under their breath, and Eve looks at me like she wants to bludgeon me with something. She shakes her head. “You’re a damned fool, Azazel.” She reaches behind her and produces a single sheet of paper. “I want a new contract.”

My racing thoughts slam to a standstill. “What?”

“New terms.” She waves the paper at me. “Read it.”

But I can’t make my body move. “The only thing you wanted the entire time you were with me was to be free.”

“Yes. Freedom.” She waves the paper again. “That word has many meanings. Read it.”

I carefully take the paper and scan it. I reach the end, and my confusion only blooms. I read it again. And then a third time. “What is this?” On the fourth time through, things start to click into place. “You’re . . . proposing.”

“Yes,” Eve says primly. “You offered me a lifetime contract before. I want a new one—on equal footing.”

The contract is simple enough as such things go. It’s got similar terms to the one she signed all those nights ago, except it’s designed to go both ways instead of my protecting her from harm. She wants to . . . protect me too. I reach the clause about children and I actually stop breathing. “You want kids.”

“I want to keep the door open on the decision about whether or not to have children.” When I manage to tear my gaze from the paper to her face, it’s to find her blushing. She clears her throat. “It’s something that should be discussed at length, but if I have your children, they will not be taken from me.”

This can’t be real. Surely this is a dream that I’ll wake from at any moment. “But . . . why?”

Pope scoffs and leans down. “Good luck with this, darling. Remember to visit.” They press a kiss to the top of her head and saunter off. A few seconds later, the sound of a door shutting announces their departure.

Eve rises unsteadily to her feet. “It’s because I love you, Azazel.”

Words I’ve desperately wanted to hear from her. Words I know in my heart of hearts that I don’t deserve. “But why? I’ve lied to you, kidnapped you, kept you trapped in my home for months.”

“Yes,” she agrees easily. “I’m not saying you weren’t a high-handed asshole for doing all of that without talking to me first—or that I’ll allow it going forward.”

I feel like I’m lost at sea and have just sighted land but I can’t trust the sight enough to be sure it’s real. “Then why?”

“Because you’re a good man.” She takes a slow step forward, breaking the line of the summoning circle. “Because you’ve sacrificed and fought and done the hard work to help your people, even if there were those among them who didn’t want the change. Because you want to share that prosperity instead of keeping it only for your territory.” Another step and she’s close enough to touch. I don’t dare lift my hand. Eve smiles softly. “Because, even though it was the only option you had, you didn’t want to kill Brosh.”

I flinch. “It shouldn’t have come to that.”

“I know.” She gently places her hands on my bare chest. “I won’t pretend that things will be smooth sailing between us. You’re overprotective and I’m fiercely independent. You’ll try to make decisions for me and I’ll shut you down the moment you do. You’ll step back and allow me my freedom, even if it scares you. We’ll figure it out. I have the utmost faith in that.”

I can’t stop myself from catching her hips and tugging her a little closer. “You have a life here. You have your work. And Pope.”

“Yes,” she says simply. “I’d like to visit Pope when it’s feasible. But the rest? There’s no shortage of work to be done in your territory.” Her smile broadens. “Your sex workers don’t have a guild like the other trades, even if they’re not persecuted the way professionals are in this city. I’d like to create one for them.”

She takes my breath away. “That will take time and a lot of effort.”

“It’s a good place to start.”

I nod slowly. “You’re right. It’s a good place to start.” I make myself release one hip to stare at the slightly crumpled contract again. “You really mean this, Eve? A marriage. A partnership. Potentially children?”

“I love you.”

I shiver. “I’ll never get tired of you saying those words. I may need to hear them a few hundred more times. Immediately.”

She laughs, the sound pealing through the apartment. “Sign the contract, marry me, and you can hear them as often as you like.”

I pull her with me as I move to the short table in front of her couch. There’s a trio of pens there, as well as another stack of papers. “What’s this?”

“Oh, I had to figure out what to do with my stuff and finances. I signed it all over to Pope with instructions on how to donate. Their notary was already here with the lawyer, so it will be done as soon as I’m gone.”

She hasn’t been home long enough to change her clothes, but she’s managed all this? It seems to defy belief. I look into her dark eyes. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.” Her brows pull together. “Are you? I realize that I just threw this at you and you may need some time to—” She watches me sign and smirks. “Guess not.”

I take her hand and bring it to my lips. “Marry me, baby girl. Be my queen.”

“You aren’t a king. Technically.”

I shrug. “Both things can be true at the same time. You may not—technically—be the territory’s queen. But you’ll be my queen.”

Eve beams. “In that case, I accept. But you should know that I want a lavish wedding and will likely drive you bonkers in the planning.”

I can’t keep a goofy grin off my face as I rise and pull her into my arms. “Believe me when I say I literally cannot wait. I’ll relish every moment.” I kiss her. “I love you. Come home with me.”

She smiles against my lips. “I love you. Take me home. Forever.”

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