Page 40 of Not Today, Satan
Ferus narrows his eyes and shoves my hands away. “Nice try, Princess. I know you’re lying. Your father brought in Attero to be questioned.”
My heart plummets to the gravel at my feet.
Poor Atty.
Father isn’t known for gentle interrogation tactics. It’s my fault Atty was put in that position. Of course my father would think he would know where I’d gone. As far as he knows—or cares—we’re still inseparable.
Ferus continues, “He admitted that you’ve been doubting your father when it came to this shadeling. He also said he found the shadeling on top of youin your bed.” He bends and whispers into my ear, that awful breath crowding the air around me. “Honestly, Princess, I’d be impressed if I weren’t so disgusted.”
I scowl at him. I can forgive Atty for his betrayal—no one can resist Father’s mind games—but there’s no way the demon who is somehow more revolting than anything in Hell is allowed to talk to me like that.
“First of all,” I say through a clenched jaw. “I don’t owe you an explanation. But if you insist on shoving that pointy nose of yours into my business, I’ll have you know the shadeling broke intomyroom. We ended up…how we did…because Father’s souldiers are trained to blow down a door instead of knock.”
I tap my foot against the gravel. “That’s why I’ve been out looking for him. To make sure he understands his place down here. We want the same thing, Ferus. Let me go, and we can split up and find him faster.”
Ferus sucks his teeth. “I would, Princess, but your father’s promised a big promotion to anyone who brings you in.” He caresses my neck, his fingertips searing as a branding iron against my skin. “And we both know I’m destined for big things. My offer still stands for you to join me. I’m sure I can talk to your father about this little indiscretion.”
I pull away as Nate clears his throat and speaks in a voice so low and controlled that I’d never realize it was him under the helmet. “I believe I’m the one who captured her. Which means I’m taking her in.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me close. He should be terrified. Ferus could rip his limbs off one at a time and would enjoy doing it, but Nate’s sturdy as a statue. I lean into him, my legs threatening to collapse from the energy being tapped out of me into the cuffs. Nate’s grip tightens. His fingers are gentle, protective, and I sink against him, allowing him to steady me.
Ferus cackles. “Don’t be silly, Metus. The boss isn’t going to promote the likes of you. Hand her over and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.”
I take a shaky step toward Ferus, wavering on knees that no longer want to support me. “I’m not going with anyone. I’m your princess. You can’t have forgotten, since you insist on calling me one every chance you get. Not only that, but I’m almost your queen. You’ll take orders from me soon.”
“Almost doesn’t mean anything,Devica.” Ferus chews on my name like it’s an overcooked slab of meat. “It’s not a guarantee. After this stunt, I think you can say goodbye to the throne. Now, I’m taking you back to Daddy and getting the credit I’m due. Whether you come with me of your own will or not.”
Any hope I’d had when I left Dominus shatters at my feet. None of this is going according to plan.
I bow my head, and defeat edges down my shoulders. No one else speaks as I contemplate my fate, our soundtrack the screams echoing from the lots below. A familiar door shimmers in the firelight and my lips curve.
Of course, Ferus has to get us home first.
There are no vehicles around, which means the souldiers are travelling on foot. That’ll buy me time to figure out how—and if—I can pull this off.
I take a deep breath, then meet the red demon’s dark eyes. “You win, Ferus. Take me to my father.”
XVIII.
Nate chokes behind me, and I glare at him.
“Take me to my father, Ferus.” I repeat. “But Metus comes with us. I’m not going anywhere alone with you.”
Ferus considers my offer and shrugs. “Fine. But I’m still taking credit. Now, get a move on. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”
Nate keeps us ahead of the pack as we start down the narrowing path, souldiers bottlenecking behind us. We descend a flight of crumbling stairs that curve around the way we came, Nate catching me when I stumble. I don’t look at him. The cuffs were my idea, but I’d forgotten what losing my strength would feel like. The air is thick and pushes back at me as I walk. A gust of wind would knock me over.
Nate could press the button on his belt and release me, but with Ferus and the other souldiers behind us, we wouldn’t get far, even with my full strength.
When we’re far enough ahead to speak without being overheard, Nate leans in. “What’s the plan here, Devica? Are we really going to your dad?”
I weave around a bloodstained rock and glance behind me. Ferus lifts his chin and grins when he notices my stare. He flexes his chest muscles. If I had the energy, I’d gag.
“Of course not,” I whisper. “Ferus’s biggest weakness is his own ego. If the mirrors in Lot Eleven torturedme, think of what they’d do to someone like him. Demons don’t go in there for a reason. The images they’d see would drive them mad. Most demons don’t have a good side. Like, at all.”
We turn a corner, and Lot Eleven’s mirrored doors shimmer into view. To my right, a maze of stairs parades up and out of my view.
Their height is dizzying, and I stumble over my own feet, crashing into Nate with a grunt.
