Darker Days (The Darker Agency #1)(85)

“Fifteen years.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Fifty five years. Going twice…”

“There has to be something else. What good would I be to you? I’m a useless human.”

He laughed. Not a snicker or giggle, but a full-blown belly laugh. It was seriously creepy. “Simple human? Hardly. You got here, didn’t you?”

“What would I have to do?” I was desperate. The truth was, no matter what he said, I’d agree. I refused to lose my parents. But the least I could do was make it seem like I’d bargain.

“Nothing hard, actually. If rumors of your reputation are true, you might even enjoy it.”

Rumors of my reputation? I had a reputation? Despite my situation, I was kind of proud. A rep. That had reached hell.

“You’d mostly be enforcing deals like ours. Checking up to see that words were being honored, dunking the ones that weren’t.”

“Dunking?”

“You saw the souls in the river on your way in, I trust? All poor bastards that reneged on their deals.”

And with that, a moment of clarity came. I understood now why Mom told Lukas she’d help him even though she was sure she couldn’t. I idolized my mom, but up until that moment, I never truly realized what an amazing woman she was. The choices she had to make. The things she had to sacrifice. All for the greater good. And now it was my turn to step up and make the hard choice. It’s what I’d been begging for, and now that I was standing on the cusp, I wanted nothing more than to go back to arguing with her about it.

“Better hurry. Deals like this don’t last…”

I wanted more time. Time with Lukas. Time to think. Time to have been a kid.

But time was up.

“Lukas. I want Lukas freed from the box.”

“That,” he said with a slight frown. “I cannot do.”

“You can’t.” I knew I should watch my tone, but I couldn’t help it. Demons were a braggy bunch. I’d never heard one admit there was anything they couldn’t do. Wouldn’t? Sure. Couldn’t? Not an ice cube’s chance in hell.

“I can’t free him. But someone else can.”

It was Simon all over. “So I’ve heard. A name might be nice, though.”

Valefar shook his head. “Do we have a deal or not?”

“Tell me what to do to save Lukas,” I growled. He couldn’t dangle that and really expect me to let it go.

“Lukas is not part of our deal. Just your parents. Them for fifty-five years.”

“You said fifty, not fifty-five!”

“And you had the audacity to haggle. That automatically raises the price.”

“What about Lukas?”

Arms folded, his jaw tightened. “I like you, Jessie. I’ve given you a freebie by telling you there’s a chance to save him. Do not push your luck. You’re a smart girl. You’ll figure it out. Now. Our deal. Going, going, gon—”

“Fine,” I said. “My parents and a question for fifty-five years.”

He smiled, stomping his foot triumphantly. “Done.”

I swallowed. “We have a deal.”

“Excellent!” He reached for my hand. The moment our skin touched, a sharp pain exploded in my stomach. Knees giving out, I crumpled to the ground, Valefar’s hand still gripping mine.

Scraping skin. Like someone was dragging the tip of a knife over my stomach and abdomen. Warmth flooded my limbs, spreading from my stomach and out to the tips of my toes and fingers. A wave of vertigo and the strong smell of salt water. Gasping for air, I pulled the edge of my shirt up. My previously too pale skin was now decorated with a scrolling design—like Celtic knot-work dripping with intricate, blood red leaves. It was beautiful—but it shouldn’t have been there.

“What—”

“That is Desakay. In the Shadow Realm, it symbolizes destiny. I thought it fitting. Each leaf represents one year of service. As the years pass, the leaves will disappear. When they’re gone, you have your freedom.” He held out his other hand. In it, a pointed black stone with red veins hung from a think leather cord.

“What’s that?”

“With this around your neck, you need only call out my name and I will hear you.” He took a step back. “And?”

I turned the crystal over in my hands a few times. It was beautiful. The smooth surface was slightly warm to the touch. “And what?”

“Your question?”

Oh. Wow. Way to play it smooth… “My Grandfather—Joseph Darker. I think he made a deal with a demon.”

“That’s not a question.”

“I want to know. For sure.”

“Why do you want to know?”

“We had a deal,” I warned.

“Not to worry. I’ll answer your question. I’m merely curious.”

“These things tend to come back and bite people in the ass,” I said. “I’d feel better if I could see it coming.”

He laughed. “I’m afraid it’s a little too late for that…”

“What does that mean?”

“You’re correct. Joseph Darker did make a deal. To prevent the death of his wife during childbirth.” Valefar grinned. “But you already knew that.”