Page 10 (2/2)

I aze steadily “Not yet”

Malachi whips around “What the fuck is he talking about? What deal?”

“I can explain I—”

Wolf speaks right over me “She asked me how to summon Azazel When I refused to tell her, she compelled me”

I don’t like the betrayed look Rylan sendson Malachi’s face He drags his hands through his long hair “We talked about this, Mina It’s out of the question”

“It was out of the question beforeain now anythe deal I thought he’d give different terms, but he didn’t, so we’re back to square one If any of you have any brilliant ideas, I’d love to hear it”

They exchange a look, but no one says anything I don’t knohether to laugh or cry The three of theotten me out of several messes to date I can’t expect them to do it when they’re captive and I’ starting in ain away seven years I promise”

They don’t quite look like they believeWolf It was the wrong call, but panic got the best of me That’s no excuse, and I won’t try to make it one I lift ives a horrible surge of agony that hasover “No It’s too soon”

“Mina!” Malachi’s hand brushes one, jerked away into the iant hand reached out and snatched him By the time I look for Rylan and Wolf, they’ve disappeared as well

I barely get to curse before the world goes dark The pain follows , cra my teeth shut to keep a scream internal This time, there’s no Grace to help I turn ontois gnawing away atand Gods, it hurts It hurts so fucking bad

Until it doesn’t

I blink throughfor the next wave of pain It takes er than I want to ads I half expect to find so, but the pain has faded as if it never existed