Page 35 of Beneath My Skin

CHAPTER 10

“Well, this is awkward.”

The instant the words slipped from my mouth, I was embarrassed.

He chuckled. “Spoken with your typical eloquence.”

We stood in a blank space. Kind of like I’d stepped foot into an empty box filled with possibilities. Then the space took shape into white walls and white carpet and white furniture. We were inside the medallion. Inside Dax’s bottle. At this point in my life, I knew better than to question the will of the universe. Whatever force had sent us here at least gave us the opportunity for a conversation where we wouldn’t be interrupted.

I also didn’t need an introduction to the woman—the demon—in front of me. I would know her anywhere. Blind or deaf or dead, I would know her.

“Cer.”

I stared at her and knew she was trying to look normal. As normal as a demon walking on Earth could look. Her hair was a ghastly shade of white that seemed to absorb the light. Caramel-colored skin gave her body definition so she wasn’t just a shadow, a mirage. But it was her eyes… God, her eyes were terrifying. A purple tone with reptilian slits for pupils.

“Why does it smell like sex in here?” she asked.

I grimaced. Oh, great. “If this is your idea of putting me at ease, I’ll tell you, it isn’t working.”

“If what’s my idea?”

I gestured in a circle. “All of this. The questions. Your human form.” I was too exhausted to argue with her, but damn.

Instead of being insulted and lashing out, as I almost expected, Cer threw her head back and laughed. “This is nothing. I thought appearing more humanlike would put you at ease. You should see me in Hell.”

Yeah, definitely not a place I wanted to visit for vacation. And this was putting me at ease? Or how about the bigger question, lurking like a pink rhinoceros in the room: Why did she care?

Cer sobered instantly. I wasn’t sure what was scarier, meeting the demon guardian I’d housed in my body for the last two decades, or the way her emotions turned on a dime. It was a toss-up.

“You did good, Mariella,” she admitted slowly. Her sinuous body wound around the room, plucking at sheets and pillows. “And you freed me. Which was the whole point. Part of me didn’t expect you to succeed.”

I slapped my hand against my thigh. “I knew there was a reason for all of this. I’d almost hoped you were setting me in the right direction so I could meet Dax and fall in love and live happily ever after.”

“I don’t want to burst your bubble by telling you there’s no such thing as happily ever after.” She paused.

“Well?”

“Well, what? That’s it.”

I admit I was a little disappointed. “You trusted me to be strong enough to break your hold before you claimed the djinn’s power for your own.”

“If anyone could,” she said, her face a mixture of pride and disgust, “it’s you. You’ve held a demon inside your soul this long without succumbing to the darkness. Or any of my tricks to try and get out.”

“The time you cursed me and told me to walk into busy traffic?”

“I was bored.”

“Tell me you set all this up for me to meet Dax and use true love’s kiss to free you.”

She shuddered. “True love is a crock. Must I say it again?”

“Aw, come on.” Despite the oddity of the situation, I was pleased. And calm. And exhausted! “You must like him at least a little. Why else would you set me on this path?”

“No. He’s a creep. And worse, he’s a genie. You honestly think I’d pick someone like that for you? Now, if you’d like an audience with one of the demon princes…” She purposely let her voice trail off.

“I can’t tell if you’re joking or trying to make me feel worse.” I stopped, then sighed. “I guess this is goodbye.”

“I don’t want to stick around, and I’m sure you’d like a chance at an ordinary life without me. I just want to go home, Mariella. There is literal hell to pay and I’ve missed it for too long.”

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