Page 113 of Wrongfully Magicked
The snick of the latch closing echoes in the silence, and I reluctantly turn to face my demon father. “I wish I could say I was looking forward to some father-daughter alone time, but I can’t seem to catch a break in the family department. It’s full ofsadistic assholes and power hungry dickheads. Which one are you?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
ANITA
Alow chuckle rumbles from the demon, amusement twinkling in his dark eyes. “A bit of both, I suppose, but unlike the others, I don’t want you dead. The opposite, in fact.”
He sinks into the chair opposite me, completely at ease as he casually crosses his legs. His massive frame should look comical with the way it dwarfs the chair, but his menacing presence dominates the room. I would almost believe his blasé attitude, if it wasn’t for the way he drums his fingers on his knee.
“Cut the bullshit,” I wheeze, my chest feeling tighter with each passing second. “I saw the other bodies. What do you really want?”
He narrows his eyes and rubs his fingers along his jaw, his gaze contemplative. The hair on the back of my neck lifts, and even before he opens his mouth, I know the cocky bastard is going to lie.
“Don’t bother trying to tell me some sad story,” I snarl, then wince when it emerges as more of a croak. “I’m a stubborn bitch, and I will allow myself to die out of pure spite.”
A furrow appears between his brows, then he sighs and settles farther back into his seat. A tiny smile curls his lips, and reluctant admiration sparks in his eyes. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
With a heavy sigh, he threads his fingers together and rests them over his knee. “I’m not sure how much you know about the demon realm, so I’ll lay it out in terms you’ll understand. There are seven princes of Hell. We’re each responsible for our own territories. War is brewing, and the conflict is threatening to spread to this realm. If the two realms collide, both will crumble.”
Though beastlings have demonic powers, very few can actually pass between the realms. Most forsake their demonic heritage to live among humans, and I can’t say I blame them.
In our realm, they are on the top of the food chain.
In the underworld, they are basically slaves.
Horror sparks through me at the thought of demons taking over. If that happened, the majority of the population would be killed outright, while the rest would just wish they were dead. “It would be anarchy.”
My father doesn’t have an altruistic bone in his body. It’s much more likely he’s afraid to lose his seat of power. As much as I want to despise him on principle alone, demons can’t be allowed to infest our realm. “What do you want from me?”
He grunts, surveying me with narrowed eyes, then leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees. “Possession allows demons only a fraction of their power. Even with that weakness, they are stronger than most mages and beastlings. Get enough together, they’ll be virtually unstoppable, and I suspect they are preparing for their eventual takeover.”
A coughing fit catches me unawares. By the time it’s over, I’m breathless, and my lips are speckled with blood. When I sit back, more exhausted than I’ve ever been in my life, I’m shocked to find my father standing before me, offering me a glass of whiskey.
I take it and toss it back without a word. The burn barely registers as the fever raging inside me hits a ravaging pitch. It’s only a matter of time now. “Tell me the rest.”
“When you have an eternity, time passes differently. Unfortunately, it’s finally running out.” He rubs his brow, then pours his own glass and downs it. With his back to me, I recognize the weary set of his shoulders.
He sets his glass down with an almost silent clink, then speaks without turning toward me. “You are half demon. It allows you to live in this realm and retain your full demonic powers. You’ll be stronger than the minions sent to this realm, so you’ll be able to help keep them in check.”
I lived with people who would do anything for power, and I’m not swayed by it. I lift a challenging eyebrow at him. “That’s why you created us. Didn’t it kill the others?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t deny it. He rolls his shoulders, then turns toward me with his piercing eyes. “They were already dying. I tried to save them but failed. You’re not as far along as the others, your deterioration slower. If you permit me a small indulgence, I think I can save you.”
I’m not sure I believe him—I definitely don’t believe his selflessness for a second—but the alternative is still death. “What do you want in return?”
“Your help,” he says bluntly, planting his hands on his hips. “In return for saving your life, I want you and your men to police this realm. You will be in charge of hunting down the possessed and sending them back to the underworld.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose, trying to figure out the trap, but come up empty. My mind just can’t seem to grasp the enormity of what he’s asking. Porter’s shadows brush against the nape of my neck, and I hear him whisper in my ear, “Accept the offer.”
I bite my lip, unable to get over the impression that I’m making a deal with the devil.
My father stands patiently before me, waiting for my answer, and I cross my arms to hide the tremble in my limbs. “And you’ll leave me in complete control? You won’t try to interfere with our work? You won’t send anyone to kill me or my men if you don’t like the direction of our investigations? All possessed who pose a danger will be targeted, not just the ones you want.”
Looking like he’s chewing glass, he reluctantly agrees. “You’ll have complete authority. I’ll send you information about rogue demons, but I won’t interfere without an invitation.”
There is only one reason he’s conceding to my every demand. “I’m the last one, aren’t I? The last of your surviving hybrid offspring?”
When the silence stretches awkwardly, I know I’m right.
