Past Lives
KASPAR
I have absolutely no fucking clue how to react to this bullshit.
Being dragged out of the meeting I thought was going to help that damn woman right her ship at the college so we can focus on bigger shit was bad enough.
Then I’m led to this room where my damn co-conspirators are sitting with her negotiating some big bargain that is obviously about finding me rather than dealing with any of the massive amount of shit on our plates.
Now, I’m smacked in the face with a brick of truth about the situation that almost drove Li and me apart.
Is the Universe just… fucking with me for funsies ?!
The only thing I can do at the moment is stare at the demon hybrid with my angriest glare.
I don’t want her to know how much this revelation is affecting me; it’s better if she thinks I’m pissed at being yanked here by her stupid magic.
Liam’s face is a complete blank, masked like it’s the royal court at home and his father has done something heinous in front of him as punishment again.
I know the expression well because it happened more often than anyone is comfortable admitting.
Alwyn is a ruthless son of a bitch, more so since Li’s brother was kidnapped, and his deep streak of cruelty was brought to the surface in the many years after the incident.
Morgana breaks the silence with a sniff of disdain. “Treating people like chess pieces for your own amusement is psychotic behavior.”
“I’m a demon ,” Celestara says with a shrug.
“Besides, when you’ve been around as long as I have, you can talk to me about how hard it is to find things to get your kicks.
Everything becomes dreadfully repetitive in our lifespans, eventually.
Watching others crash about is one of the few truly unpredictable experiences you can enjoy. ”
“Damn that free will when it butts against magic and Fate, hmm?” Iggy says with a shudder of disgust. “No wonder the supernaturals prefer when demons stick to their realm.”
The demoness laughs, shaking her head. “Ah, that’s what they think they prefer, but it’s an illusion.
Most supes actually enjoy those of us who are employed in wish or desire fulfillment, until they run afoul of their own ignorance.
What they truly dislike is their inability to wiggle out of the promises they made in desperation or greed.
No matter who they are—exceptional or plain, rich or poor, gifted or not—that they are equal in the eyes of the universe.
That is the honest complaint, and it’s not one that Fate or any deity cares about. ”
“Somehow I doubt you’ll find beings to agree that species who prey on the weak wills of others are the social justice warriors that your statement claims,” Slade says drily.
Celestara shrugs. “Yet, here you are: infamous, rich, powerful, royal, heirs, guards… and you are all seeking my services despite the taint of my wickedness. That’s equality, my little siren.”
I have to wrangle my impotent fury at the woman to respond, but I finally manage it.
“Can it with the philosophical nonsense. You don’t believe it; you’re merely justifying your job.
We’re not actually here to debate the merits of brokers, so I assume there was more to that deal than locating me?
Let’s get this shit done so we can see the back of you, demon. ”
“Seconded,” Lucas says as he shifts in his seat. “This shit is getting boring as fuck and I’m nowhere near as old as some of you.”
Laughing softly, the demoness gives him an indulgent smile. “I hope this stallion’s impatience doesn’t extend to the bedroom, Morgana. He has such delicious energy, and I’d hate to think it’s wasted on silly games with sticks rather than in the sack.”
“My sex life is none of your business,” Morgana says sharply. “Answer his question.”
“ Now .” The growl from my oldest friend is unusual; he’s more likely to be calm and diplomatic than full of anger. However, this fucking bitch just pried open a wound that never healed properly, and his infinite patience has likely reached its limit.
“Fine, fine.” She claps her hands, the sound echoing in the room as another scroll appears.
It’s filled with writing that is what I think is the ancient demon language.
“This is a list of the people I am already contacting to find your specific request. Yes, it is not in a language you can read, but that is because I never reveal my sources. You may take it and watch as names disappear when they cannot assist. The opposite is true for those who may provide more leads—their listing will gain more words until it is narrowed to the one being who can provide what you need. When that happens, they will find you as soon as possible.”
Iggy snatches the scroll out of the air, scrutinizing it immediately. When he lifts his head, he looks skeptical. “I suppose that even if we found a demon to translate this as proof of your claim, it would be encrypted as well?”
Celestara winks playfully. “The tales of your brilliance are not exaggerated, Professor. My employer has always insisted on every possible effort being made to uphold confidentiality so we do not lose sources of information and contractors. There might be demons who could read the lettering, but you are quite accurate in assuming that they will not be able to understand a word.”
This is why I fucking despise these sorts of people, but I came here knowing I would have to endure.
“Great. You’re smart; he’s smart; we’re all bloody fabulous.” I turn to look at the other members of our ragtag household. “Let’s get the hell out of here before we end up more indebted to her or anyone else. I’ve had enough of the underworld glitterati for one night.”
“Thank fuck ,” Lucas says as he pops up with the grace of an athlete. He holds his hand out to Morgana, relief written on his features. “I want to get home and be comfortable again badly enough to agree with the dragon. That’s how annoying this shit is.”
My mouth twitches at his statement and I walk over to give Liam my hand.
He arches a brow at me, but I ignore it to wait for the professor and the musician to follow suit.
Once they’re up, I throw a glance at the demoness over my shoulder.
“I suggest you make certain you follow every single word of that contract with no deviation. Li is an excellent deal maker, and he may have slipped in a few landmines of his own. Worse than that, I guarantee that when the king hears the tale of your past meddling, he will go much higher than you to discuss your role in disrupting the royal court of Daybreak. Let’s not add a contract dispute as well. ”
The demoness doesn’t look concerned, and it makes me question how far up her ties to the royal court in Hell actually go.
Even lower-tier brokers in the court would be rattled by the mention of a Fae king lodging a formal complaint, but she’s not batting a lash.
“Understood, dragon. Off with you all, so I can continue my business. You have what you need to track the progress of fulfillment.”
Yeah, an encrypted tracking scroll in a dead language—thanks, lady.
Morgana moves past me with Lucas in tow, stalking out the door without another word.
Ignatius and Slade go next, leaving Li and me to bring up the rear.
As soon as we shut the door behind us, I feel like I can breathe again.
The pain in my chest from the casual cruelty Celestara displayed when she revealed her ‘big secret’ is intense, but being away from her makes it easier to push that down so I can function.
“She’d better find that goddamn unicorn,” Morgana says in a dark tone. “If not, I’ll be in front of another fucking tribunal with those judgmental old farts in Society again.”
I look over at Liam curiously as I ask, “Why is that?”
“Because when I decided to track down Magnus to end his reign of cruelty, I vowed to never again let someone who hurt me or the people I care about continue to breathe air on this planet.”
Liam tilts his head, murmuring softly, “You don’t need to avenge me, Salaadir . Angeline and her machinations were a very long time ago. It sounds like she eventually paid for her sins via the contract terms, anyway.”
“I doubt she paid enough,” Lucas snorts. “That’s why Tall, Dark, and Broody is such a dick, right?”
My eyes narrow and I open my mouth to cut the whelp off at the knees, but the raven-haired woman stops short to do it for me.
“Don’t be insensitive, Lucas. Despite his nasty attitude, Kaspar practically radiates unresolved pain, and now we know where it comes from.
Poking a stick in an open wound is no better than being the one to set the injury in motion for your own amusement. ”
The bear cringes, then shoots me an apologetic look. “Sorry, dude. Lady M is right; being shitty about you getting your heart broken for sport because you’re an ass to her solves nothing. Just… fuckin’ stop treating her like garbage so I can feel bad for you, okay?”
That might be the most honest request I’ve had in a long time.
“I’ll try,” I mutter in reply. “But I’d prefer not to discuss this shit in here… or ever.”
Liam chuckles as he claps a hand on my shoulder, while we navigate the chaos of the club. “My old friend, I don’t know that you’re going to get that wish. Our family prefers to talk through things rather than let them fester and you’ve already had a pass for too long.”
I frown at the others, but they seem to agree. “We’re not doing it here .”
“Nope, but you will not avoid questions when we get home,” Slade says as he pushes up his glasses. His expression is rueful, but the look in his eyes is firm. “You can’t keep torturing everyone now that the secret is in the open. It’s not healthy for you or our family.”
“Besides, I simply won’t allow this to take focus away from the ridiculous amount of crap we have to deal with in the here and now,” Morgana adds.
She winds our group around the tables on the floor with an admirable deftness, all while looking as if she wants to strangle someone.
“My desire to eliminate that fucking demon doesn’t stem from your past, but the glee she took in tearing into scars in the present.
Even if you hate me, past Morgana made a promise to herself that led to another dragon being beheaded.
I suppose I’ll have to do some research on demons to prepare for our broker’s possible betrayal—the Society took the enchanted sword I used last time. ”
What?
“That’s a genuine tragedy,” is all I can muster in response. “That type of weapon isn’t easy to come by.”
Iggy snorts as he rolls his eyes. “Of course it is. So many truly useful weapons have been co-opted by the damn humans and put on display; it’s a crime, if you ask me. When you pair that with the law against creating more items like them purposefully because of silly movies and TV shows…”
“Not the point, Iggy.” The musician chuckles, bumping the pissy professor back on track with his shoulder. “But it begs the question of where you got one to begin with, Morgana.”
The gargoyle smiles, her features full of wickedness as she shrugs. “I didn’t ask what deals you witnessed that gave you such plentiful info on the demons and their contracts, did I?”
“No, but?—”
I shake my head, looking around as we finally get to the front of Howl so we can exit. “Those are excellent questions—none of which should be answered until we are back in our safe space.”
For once, not a damn one of them argues and I’ll consider that the only win today.