PAPER STARS: An Ordinary Magic Story(15)

“No,” Myra said.

“A favor in return,” I offered.

“No,” Myra said again.

The corner of Bathin’s mouth slid up into a sexy grin. “Choices, choices ladies. Yes or no?”

“One favor,” I said again, “from me, to be collected within one year’s time. It can be anything you want, as long as it doesn’t break any of Ordinary’s laws, nor go against my own moral code.”

“Anything I want?” His grin turned a little predatory.

I had to wonder how I always ended up bargaining away parts of myself for the good of others. I’d like to say it came with the job of being Chief of Police in this oddball little town, but I knew better.

I would bargain away almost anything for Ryder.

“Don’t.” Ryder’s voice was distant, but still clear. I pressed the phone harder against my ear.

“It’s okay,” I said. “Myra’s here. She won’t let me break the don’t-do-anything-stupid rule.”

“Bargaining with a demon is the reason we made the rule,” he reminded me.

The last few words faded a bit, as if he was having trouble getting enough breath in his lungs to speak. “It’s stupid.”

“I know. But it’s going to be okay. You just stay awake and keep breathing. You’re going to be home soon.”

“I’ll do it,” Myra said. “For you.”

Bathin straightened as if everything in him was suddenly awake and laser focused. Then he turned, all fire and heat and wide shoulders and muscular body crowding into her space.

“You’ll do what, exactly? For me.” His voice was more rumble than words.

For a moment, Myra’s eyes lost that edge and something else filled them. Desire? Lust? Surprise?

The look he was giving her should have had a combustible warning on it.

“For Delaney,” Myra said all soft and breathy. “Not you.”

He smiled, lifted one hand as if to touch her face, as if to stroke her skin.

And never got the chance. Myra took one strong step back, her cheeks flushing red, her eyes cool and hard again.

Her breathing was a little faster than a moment ago, but that could just be adrenaline from anger.

It wasn’t adrenaline from anger.

“I’ll offer the same terms as Delaney,” she said.

“One favor, to be collected within the year. I’ll do what you want as long as it doesn’t break any of Ordinary’s rules or laws, nor go against my moral code or free will.”

“You added a few terms.”

“I don’t give anything away easily.”

His eyebrow quirked. “I know.”

Pretty sure he liked that about her. A lot.

“One favor, due to me, upon my request, in so much as it doesn’t break Ordinary’s rules or laws, nor go against your moral code or free will. Correct?”

“Wait,” I said.

She nodded, the color still high on her cheeks as she stared up at him.

“Yes.” She squared her shoulders as if steeling herself against the pull of his charisma.

“In exchange, you will find Ryder now, and bring him here, to us in this room, whole in body and mind, and in no way bound to you nor any other creature, person, or thing.”

“Wait,” I said again.

“Done.” And then Bathin was gone.

“You did not just bargain with that demon,” I nearly shouted.

She shrugged like it was nothing. It wasn’t nothing. “One of us was going to.”

“Not one of us, me.”

“You already gave up your soul. It was my turn to do something. You aren’t the only one looking after this town, you know. And all I traded was a small favor.”

I glared at her for a minute, but it was like trying to stare down a brick wall.

“Ryder,” I said while I scowled at my sister. “Bathin’s coming to get you and bring you home.”

I waited. There was no answer, not even the ragged breathing I’d gotten used to.

“Ryder?”

I heard the truck door open, and a small groan that was almost a whimper. Then the shushing static of the phone being moved.

“I’ve found your nearly frozen Prince Charming,” Bathin said.

“Is he breathing?”

A pause, then, “So far.”

“Bring him to me.”

“Oh, I will. Eventually.”

The phone disconnected. “Eventually? What kind of crap is eventually?” I yelled.

Myra rubbed at her forehead. “I didn’t narrow the time specifications. I should have thought of that.”

“No, you shouldn’t have promised him a favor, Myra. What were you thinking?”

“That you aren’t supposed to make any more deals with demons.”

“And you are?”

“This time? Yes. Ryder needs you. I didn’t know if Bathin was going to demand an immediate favor just to take you away when Ryder needs you.”

Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. “We seriously need to find someone else in town who can teleport,” I muttered. “Maybe for the price of donuts. Demons are too complicated.”

“Who can we call?” she asked.

I pushed my fingers back through my hair, thinking. My gaze landed on the pig. Crow said Bathin couldn’t hide from it. Did that mean the pig could find the demon?