Page 32 of January Blues
This was my punishment for daring to think of leaving him. He was quick to admit that he wasn’t letting me go. No, I was bound to him for another five years and I wouldn’t be leaving his side.
He’d lied about the bargain. Or at least he’d agreed to it at first, then reconsidered having an unbound demon knowing his plans walking about.
I’d made a mistake when I’d made the offer. We’d never signed another contract. We hadn’t shaken on it.
It was as worthless as he was.
My only comfort was that even if Basil could find the name, there was no way that he could use it against my poor, sweet Cody.
Cody. A prince in name now, soon to be recognized by the demon court. Even if Basil caught him, he wouldn’t hold him for long. He would guarantee the entire demon court would rain hell upon him.
A smirk ticked along my face. There and gone again, as my injuries made themselves known. Basil had whipped me with his magic until his well was depleted and he needed to take energy potions to stay standing. He was sweaty, tired, and furious at being denied.
“I can’t give you his name because I don’t know it. Never in our years together have I lied to you. It isn’t possible for me to. Why won’t you listen?” I hated how weak I sounded. I was on the verge of begging this piece of shit for mercy.
For Cody, I’d do it. I’d swallow my pride and ask for leniency. For a drop of kindness. Just so I could be in one piece when he found me. Because I had faith that he would somehow find me. It might take him days, weeks, or even years. He might find me once Basil had won all he wanted, and I was a wreck, but he’d find me. I just had to stay myself, do what was necessary to live, until then.
“It’s there inside you. I know it is. We just have to coax it out of you. Your magic will give it up to me to protect you. I just have to get you to the brink.” Basil gave no fucks about hurting me. He didn’t seem to worry about revenge.
There would be. Lots of it. I was going to bathe in his blood by the time I was done. I’d find a way. Somehow.
The hours passed. Honestly, they could have been days. All the while, I mapped out my revenge while shutting myself down from the toll Basil was taking on my body. He wasn’t smart enough to damage me mentally.
My estimation had left me guessing I’d been alone for an hour or two, so that Basil could sleep and replenish his well. He’d changed venues this time. It appeared to be some sort of warehouse, though there were traces of occupation, like Basil had been sleeping here. The pipes gurgled and clanged. I thought I heard a shower running.
I must have passed out, because I woke to the sounds of an alarm blaring and Basil standing over me, doing something to the containment spell. “That’ll hold them off a bit.” Then he picked up a battered duffel and fled.
He’d gone.
Anxiety filled minutes passed. I hoped it was my mate, but Basil had accrued many enemies, and not many would be kind to a demon stuck in a trap. I was injured and vulnerable.
Extending my senses with magic, I sent my awareness out, throwing it far away from the dingy building that held me.
There.
Cody.
My heart soared when I sensed my mate was getting ever closer to me.
I heard the distinct sound of wings and a chirruping meow that could only be connected to Hela. There were others with them. So many others. Their intense emotions wafted closer, helping my magic heal me. “Here!” I croaked.
“Toth!” Cody called my name as he stepped into the faint light I was under.
“Cody? Is it really you?” A small part of me feared that this was a trick.
“Feel me, use the bond. I’m here.”
I closed my eyes and searched again. Feeling stronger with the emotions pouring off my mate, I could see the inner light of his soul. “It’s you.”
He stepped closer to where I was kneeling.
“Don’t come too close. I don’t want you stuck too.” I whispered. My throat was scratchy from however long I’d been screaming under the torture.
“Hurry, please! Oak!” Cody called behind him. He turned back to me, getting on his knees on the dirt floor, Hela next to him, pawing at the barrier.
This demon trap was unlike any other. Instead of just holding me in place. It wasn’t letting anything solid through. Hela couldn’t come inside to comfort me like she would have with a normal trap. Cody couldn’t touch my hand or offer me a drink. I was stuck.
It comforted me that he was here and wasn’t alone. The witches and shifters caught up to him, each taking up roles. Some checked the area for traces of Basil. Others watched over the witch, Oak, Cody had called him, as he tried to dismantle the spell.
