Page 58 of Suspicions on the Stage
Liam’s face turns pale suddenly, and he freezes in place. I look at the dragon, whose eyes are full of furious electricity despite the stony expression on his face. Turning back to the demoness, I ask, “What did you do, Celestara?”
“I gave her what she asked for—no more, no less.” The woman shrugs, her fangs protruding as her evilness spreads across her face. “I gave her the tools to become beautiful, mysterious, and moneyed looking so she could go to Court and hook someone there who fit the bill.”
“But you didn’t say it would last, nor did you mention her desire for more would cause her to never be satisfied…” Liam whispers as he blinks. “So she found what she wanted, but couldn’t help trying to trade up for more.”
“Exactly!” Celestara laughs huskily, her eyes bright with amusement. “Which simply sent her running back to her original hovel in shame and exile—something she heartily deserved for her greed. And now… the peace you were seeking without knowing it will come, Your Highness. Both for you and the angry ball of resentment behind you. Voila!”
I don’t know this story, but there’s no way it’s going to give either of the shocked and infuriated men in my family peace anytime soon—we were hoodwinked.
past lives
KASPAR
Ihave absolutely no fuckingcluehow 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 findingmerather than dealing with any of the massive amount of shit on our plates. Now, I’m smacked in the face with abrickof 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 waskidnapped, 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 ademon,” 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 theythinkthey 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.Thatis 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 isnoneof 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 Ithinkis 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.”
“Thankfuck,” 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. Worsethan 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.
