Page 39 of Not Today, Satan
Something hard presses into my thigh.
Diripo’s helmet. Of course.
An idea forms. It’s not a great one, but it’s our only chance.
“Nate,” I whisper. “I need you to trust me.” It’s so dark I can’t make out his expression, but he nods.
I reach around him into the bag crushed against the wall. He must realize the situation is dire, because for once he doesn’t try to crack a joke about me hitting on him. Thankfully, the handcuffs I took off Diripo are still there.
I hold them in front of his face so that he can make out the silver in my hand. “Put these on me.”
“Handcuffs?” he breathes.
I shove them into him without a reply. Diripo’s name tag is still on his chest. I rip it off and discard it in the bag. Then I hold out my wrists. “Quickly, Nate. You need to lock them until they light up.”
He raises an eyebrow “I don’t have the key.”
“The green button on your belt unlocks them. And put your helmet on. Keep the visor down at all times. Whatever happens, stay in character. You’re a souldier now. A demon. You’re ruled by your darkest impulses.”
He’s barely a shadow in front of me as he slams the helmet over his head and loops the cuffs around my wrists. His breath is as shallow as mine, echoed by the visor over his face.
His fear should unnerve me, but I’m oddly comforted knowing I’m not alone.
Once the cuffs are on, Nate presses the button to lock them.
There’s a ping as the lock springs into place and the cuffs glow green. Pain shoots through my wrists, and a wave of exhaustion rolls through me. I stumble into his chest, flushing when he catches me.
“These were built to contain shadelings and demons alike,” I mutter. “As long as they’re on me, I’m powerless. And the longer I keep them on, the weaker I’ll get. Which means we have to get out of this fast—and the moment we do, you get them off me. Got it?”
He nods again, his heart thudding against my cheek. I close my eyes and take a shaking breath before standing tall. Everything relies on him now. My destiny is in the hands of a shadeling.
Don’t mess this up, I silently plead as we stride toward the exit, my knees threatening to buckle with every step. The moment we’re visible, souldiers barrel toward us, knives and batons raised. They stop as I hold up my shackled wrists and pout with defeat.
Boots thud behind us, and Ferus emerges from the cave, souldiers flanking him on either side. As one of Father’s right-hand men, Ferus isn’t required to wear a helmet or the usual souldier uniform. But even without the formality, he cuts a disturbing figure in all black, his crimson skin glowing in the light, his mouth curved into a sneer.
My jaw tenses, sweat pooling at back of my neck. Nate’s fingers tighten around my forearm, and he steps closer to me. His closeness strengthens my resolve, and I clench my fists.
I bested Ferus once; I can do it again. And if I don’t, I’ll always have the satisfaction of kicking him where it counted.
“Well, what do we have here?” Ferus clicks his tongue as his eyes skim my body. My insides recoil, but I don’t flinch. “Hello, Princess. Long time no see.”
“Not long enough.” I raise my chin and narrow my eyes. “And stop calling me ‘Princess’, asshat. Just explain to Metus here he’s made a mistake.” I pull the demon name out of thin air, crossing everything he’s not with this group. Metus usually works only in Dominus, but Father will have everyone looking for me by now. “He’s arrested me for some reason. I’ve tried explaining who I am, but he won’t listen.” Nate doesn’t move, and I elbow him hard in the ribs. “Right,Metus?”
“Oh. Right.” Nate lowers his voice to a deep growl I wouldn’t have thought possible from him and jerks me into his body. “Quiet, prisoner. You’re mine now.”
I cringe, but the souldiers don’t react. Are they…buying this?
Ferus presses his palms together. “Actually, Princess, we have orders to take you back to Daddy. Apparently you helped a Thirteener escape and took off. Your father’s not happy. He even mentioned a trip to the Ignis River if you can’t explain yourself. I hope, for your sake, he changes his mind.”
He speaks the last words through a wide smile.
Ferus hopes nothing of the sort.
He’d toss me into the river himself if it means an opportunity for him.
I gnaw on the inside of my cheek to suppress the threatening tears. There’s no way Ferus is letting Nate and I out of his sight.
“Ferus, you know me.” I bat my lashes like I did with Diripo on the ledge, my insides curdling. Flattening my palms against his chest, I purse my lips into a pout. “I hate shadelings. They’re disgusting evildoers.” I trace a finger down his chest, breathing through the bile that swims up my throat. “And do you evenseea shadeling here? I heard he broke out of his lot, so I’ve been trying to hunt him down myself so I can have my way with him.” Nate chokes under his helmet. Heat rushes up my face and I stutter. “Punish him, I mean.”
