Chapter 43
VALEN
A vampire meets us in the lobby of the hotel Zavier has brought us to. It’s the same one we came to after the events in the club. We left Celine and Ava behind, so it’s just us, the demon, and a reluctant Luna, who keeps eyeing her wrist like she’s debating cutting it off.
The vampire looks our motley group up and down, his top lip curling in distaste.
“Don’t spill any blood in my hotel. I mean it.” I think the statement is meant for all of us.
I’m not sure what Zavier told this guy before we showed up here, but he doesn’t seem surprised by the sight of a demon in his hotel. Then again, from what Zavier said on our way here, this is neutral ground, so demons might be a common occurrence.
It’s interesting watching others mill about the room and knowing they could be any supernatural species. Different colored auras float by as I scan the room and spot a few.
The vampire turns on his heel, and I assume we’re meant to follow. We pass by the elevator bay and turn down another hallway where there’s a private elevator he has to use a gold key card to access.
“Who are you?” I ask him.
He lifts a single black brow at me. “Greyson, but you can call me Grey.”
I can sense he’s old. Not as old as me, but much older than Zavier.
The group of us steps onto the elevator and Grey has to swipe the card again. The doors shut and some sort of cheery music that doesn’t fit the current mood begins to play.
The demon begins to hum along at the same time Zavier whistles the matching tune.
Zavier glowers at the demon and stops whistling. The demon—I refuse to call him by his name or nickname—grins at Zavier and hums even louder after that.
“I do so hate it when you drag me into your shit, Zavier,” Grey says in a lilting voice as the doors open. There’s a slight accent I can’t place, one like he’s lived in many places.
“Oh, please.” Zav pushes off the elevator wall and grabs ahold of the demon’s elbow as if the creature couldn’t easily shove him off.
Something tells me the demon is getting a kick out of this whole thing, because I highly doubt we could’ve forced him here like we’d prefer to think.
I’m strong, but he … might be stronger, as much as I hate to admit it.
“You love my drama. It keeps you entertained.”
Grey gives a gruff sound in reply that I think might be a laugh.
He leads us down another long hall with dark wallpaper lining the walls and gold sconces interspersed.
There’s only one door at the end of it.
He pulls out a new key card and swipes it.
“You lot in first,” he commands, ushering us through.
I look around and find that we’re in an incredibly elegant penthouse.
The door shuts behind us, and a trace of terror snakes down my spine. Something tells me we’re not leaving until this guy lets us, and I don’t like that thought. I don’t believe he wishes harm upon us in this moment, but that’s not to say he won’t down the line.
“This looks pretty nice for a holding cell.” The demon smirks and Zavier snarls.
“The only reason you’re not in one is because I wouldn’t do that to Luna.”
Luna smiles and murmurs, “I appreciate it.”
Grey circles around to stand in front of us again. He looks the four of us over before his warm-toned eyes settle on Zavier.
“You said it was an undeveloped witch who summoned the demon?”
“I believe the word I used was immature,” Zav replies, looking at his nails.
“Hey,” I snap. “She’s not immature.”
“She definitely is.” He coughs into his hand.
I slap the back of his head, and he reaches up to rub the spot. “Not nice, Dad!”
Grey rolls his eyes. “I’ll take you to Cyfrin, and he can see what he can do about this.” He gestures at the demon and Luna with exasperation.
Luna scratches at her wrist like she can feel the bind holding her to the demon.
We follow behind Grey again as he leads us farther into the penthouse. Eventually, he stops in front of a wooden set of double doors and knocks before swinging them open.
He gestures for us to go in first and then closes the door behind us without joining.
We’re standing inside a large, beautiful home library. If I wasn’t worried about the demon beside me, I would take it in more, but just a cursory glance tells me this is a collection I envy.
“Cyfrin,” Zavier singsongs. “Come out, come out, wherever you ahh!”
The warlock materializes out of the shadows to our left.
“Warn a guy next time,” Zav gripes.
The warlock looks him up and down and replies with a simple “No.”
The warlock—Cyfrin—flicks dark, almost black hair from his eyes. His hair is a little shorter than Grey’s, his skin olive toned. His eyes are an unusual shade of blue, almost navy, with a hint of purple and gold.
He waves his hand through the air around us and seems to be reading something we cannot see.
“I thought you said a protection spell was used?” he questions Zav, who turns to me.
She’s my mate, so it’s only right that I reply. “That’s what she said.”
“Hmm,” he hums. “It appears she actually used a summoning spell.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Leave it to Ava to summon a demon instead of doing a protection spell like she planned.
“And how did this one show up?” I ask, gesturing at the demon. His horns have vanished, leaving him looking relatively normal. “And how quickly can you send him back to where he came from?” I snarl.
Cyfrin chuckles and cocks his head to the side as he stares down Luna. “Your blood was used for the spell?”
“Yes,” she answers hesitantly.
“Mm-hmm,” he hums. He gestures again and some sort of rippling purple mist shimmers around the demon and Luna, revealing the thin golden chain that connects them. He makes eye contact with the demon, who shrugs.
Cyfrin shakes his head. “I’m powerful, but I can’t undo this.” He gestures at the bonds. “This is … unique.”
“What do you mean?” Luna blurts, desperation lacing her tone. “There has to be some way to undo this.” She tugs against the thin golden chain. “This isn’t permanent, is it?”
Cyfrin purses his lips. By the way his eyes flash, I have a feeling he knows more than he’s letting on. I can’t understand why he’s staying quiet, but perhaps I’m reading into things since I’ve only just met the warlock.
Ignoring her questions, he says, “I can’t undo this. You two are bound together until…”
“Until what?” Luna snaps.
“Until…” he replies vaguely. “The magic will know when whatever it’s meant for has been fulfilled.”
The demon flashes a white-toothed smile at Luna. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, love.”
“We can’t go more than like six feet apart!” Luna’s voice raises and she even stomps her foot. “I have a business to run!”
“I’m sorry,” Cyfrin says. “There’s nothing I can do.”
Zav throws up his arms. “What was the fucking point in coming here? You were supposed to help, and all this has accomplished is me not being with my honey bear.”
“This is more complicated than I expected,” the warlock grits out. I get the impression he doesn’t like being questioned.
“Whatever,” Zavier grumbles.
“Whatever?” Luna repeats. “I can’t stay stuck to this—to this monster.”
“Aw, love.” The demon holds a hand to his heart. “I’m not a monster, I’m a demon. There’s a difference. A monster wouldn’t be this handsome.” He rubs his clean-shaven jaw.
“Well, if it makes you feel better, the magic that binds you prevents you from killing each other.”
Luna’s mouth pops open. “I hadn’t even thought about him killing me!”
The demon grins again, his golden eyes flashing with amusement. “I might be a demon, but I don’t like getting my hands dirty. I have people for that.”
“Your souls are bound,” Cyfrin goes on. “Literally.”
“Like … mates?” Luna asks hesitantly.
“Like mates,” Cyfrin confirms. “It’s why your blood summoned him.”
Luna shakes her head. “No, I refuse.”
“Refuse?” the demon croons. “I’m hurt, Luna. You should feel blessed to have such a handsome mate. You could be cursed with the ugly ginger or the grumpy fuck.”
“Ugly?” Zavier shrieks in a high-pitched tone. “You take that back, you patchwork-looking motherfucker.”
I rub my temples.
Every time I turn around, things get more complicated.