Page 25 of White Charms and Dark Secrets

“Little witch, you work faster than a demon could dare to hope,” Solas drawls, appearing within seconds this time. Almost like he was just waiting for my call.

Markus becomes so much less talkative all of a sudden.Who knew demons had the ability to shut idiots up?

“I found Elias.” I state, jerking my hand in his direction. “Now, can you please get me the hell out of here?”

“Hannah, you really must learn some patience. How long was it you made me wait, trapped inthatform? A week? Two?” He narrows his black eyes on me.

He cannot be serious. He can't leave me here that long!

“Don't you dare even think about it,” I snap at Solas and fist my hands at my hips to hide my panic.

He aims a devious smile at me. “Relax, witch. I was only teasing, I keep my end of deals. However, I do need to speak with Elias first. So, you be a good little girl, and go sit over on the other side of the room while we speak.”

I'm about to argue, when Elias finally speaks.

“I know what information you seek, and I don't care about whatever deal you think we had. I won't be telling you anything unless you get me out of here. I've spent too long down here, a prisoner in the dark.”

“You can't—”

“Done,” Solas answers with a wide grin, cutting off my objection as if he hadn't heard it. He'd expected this. Hell, he'dplannedfor it.

“Solas, you cannot break criminals out of here!” I peer at him in horror. He may have considered it, but I hadn't even thought about him helping criminals escape this place when I'd called him to save me. Now I'd shown him a place filled with terrible people, and demons aren't known for their good hearts, but for their opportunistic and sinful natures.

“Why ever not? I mean, not that I intend to set the rest of them free, but if I wanted to, now that I know the location of this place, I could do so if I wished.”

“Because they're criminals!” I exclaim.

“And I'm a demon, little witch. You'd do well to remember that, and to speak to me with more care in the future.” He speaks in a calm tone, but I can hear the threat laced into it.

I push my lips together again, deciding I could worry about this later. I'd need to go to Kier and tell him everything, and he would find a way to fix this. He’d let the powers that be know this Elias, whoever he is, escaped, and that they needed to find a way to demon-proof this hell-hole.

“I want out of here too,” Markus pipes up, seeming to find his voice again.

Shit. This going south fast.

“And what can you offer me?”

“Here? Nothing. But my family has a lot of heirlooms, we’re an old blood line. I'm sure there's something in the family vault I could obtain for you,” he bargains.

Solas looks at him in consideration for a moment before answering. “If there is nothing there which I desire, I will throw you back in here myself.”

I take deep and measured breaths, but keep my thoughts to myself this time.I'll just tell Kier about two escapees instead of the one.It'll be okay.I keep repeating those three words in my head, but I don’t quite believe them. I can feel in my gut just how bad this is, and I know that I am the only one to blame for this and any suffering that follows. If I'd just worn my bracelet, or if I’d done something to stop my imprisonment in the first place, none of this would be happening. I'm not sure what crimes Elias committed to wind up here, but to command the respect he does, I know it can't be good.

“Are you ready, witch?” Solas demands. I turn to look at him.

“What about them?” I hesitate and purse my lips, not wanting them to see where he takes me.

“Don't worry, pet. I'll take you home first before coming back to speak with them. Although, I do find it insulting that you seem more afraid of them learning where you live than you are of me knowing.”

“Oh, believe me, I'm not a fan of you knowing either, but it's a little late for that. And I'd simply rather not let anymorepsychopaths know where I live.”

Instead of berating me again for speaking to him poorly, Solas only laughs and grabs my shoulder in a rough grip, yanking me towards him. He curves an arm around my waist in such a tight hold I’m concerned it'll bruise. I try not to flinch, knowing that to portal me out the way demons travel, he needs to maintain physical contact with me. Although, I'm not convinced he needs to hold methistightly. I find my position, pressed up against the bare chest of the forever shirtless demon, highly unnerving.

“I'll be back in a moment,” he calls to the others, and then, my stomach lurches, and it feels like we're falling.

It's nothing like travelling through a regular portal, nor is it similar to a fae's ability to phase-walk either. A dropping or falling sensation is the only comparable experience I can liken to it. An unexpected light bursts forth right in front of my face. So damn bright it hurts, I’m forced to squeeze my eyes shut. I find myself clutching at Solas for safety, worried that if he lets go I'll be lost in the empty space between all places.

As suddenly as the feeling came on, it vanishes, leaving me a little dizzy and very embarrassed as I pull back from the demon. I can see the nail marks I left in his skin around his shoulders where I held on for dear life. I force myself to look up at his face, and he frowns.

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