Page 14 of Hers to Keep

“And you think he’ll come himself?”

“I do, as soon as he realizes that it is an option.”

“And I don’t suppose you have any idea how long that will be?”

Dohal shook his head.

“Fantastic,” Cisco said through bared teeth.

“What’s to stop him from attacking you again right now?”Mari asked.

“That was a lot of magic to use, even for one such as him.He will need time to replenish, the same way you and I do.By the time he can collect himself for another attack, I will be protected.”He ran a hand down his face.“It was an oversight.I did not think he would target me directly that way.”

“Any idea what we can do to prepare for him coming in person?”Rio asked after a few beats of silence.

“I don’t know many specifics about him or his powers.I suppose what you might do to prepare for any powerful enemy: marshal your forces, prepare your weapons, and be ready to treat the casualties.”

“And we’re sure he’s an enemy?”Mari asked.All four of them looked at her at once with varying degrees of surprise.

“Your father certainly thought so,” Dohal responded.“He worked with nine other incubi he otherwise did not trust very much to banish him from this place.”

“That’s what I mean.Maybe they just wanted power they otherwise didn’t have access to.Maybe he’s not evil.”

Dohal shot an arch look her way.“He did just try to tear me into small bloody chunks with his power.”

“You have a point.”Mari sighed.“I’m just so tired of fighting.”

Dante smoothed one hand up her back.“I think it’s worth considering that there might be another way.Maybe we can negotiate with him?”

Rio ran a hand through his hair.“We should ask Willow what they can find out about him.”

“That’s a good idea,” Cisco said with a fond smile for the puma shifter.“We need as much information as we can get.”

“I wish the goddess had been a little less aggressive about dealing with Vincent.We could have asked him about the threat.”

Dohal hummed.“I think he might have been speaking about something else.”

“Of course, because why should only one powerful entity be trying to kill us this week?”Mari let her head hang back for a moment of unbridled frustration before she collected herself again.“Well, let’s hear it.”

Dohal considered his words before speaking.“The demon who kindled your power.”

In a blink, Cisco was face-to-face with Dohal, his clawed hand reaching up to hold Dohal’s jaw in a fierce grip.“Not.Another.Word.”

“I hate him as much as you do, and for the same reason,” Dohal bit out, but didn’t move to push Cisco away.“But that will not stop him from coming for her.”

The war in Cisco’s expression was excruciating.

“Let him talk,” Mari said softly.

Cisco slid a wounded look her way that sliced her right to the bone.He dropped his hand and moved away a single step.

Dohal looked at her, grinding his teeth for a moment before he began, “Ashdei is a Prince of the Hells.He is who your father brokered a deal with.Basilio traded you away to one of the most powerful demons in the Hells for the power he thought would keep him on this Earth.”

“You mean traded my awakening away,” Mari said very carefully.

Cisco’s growl vibrated the air around her.“Don’t say it.”

Dohal offered Cisco a sympathetic glance, but continued, “No, he traded you, body and soul.You are betrothed to one of the Princes of the Hells.”

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