The Forsaken(33)

“Why would I give you my soul?” asked Shea, finding it odd she was having this conversation with a demon.

He hauled her to his frame. “Because I will give you what you most desire.”

Shea dared for a minute to think he spoke nonsense.

“I have comforted you for years when you have felt nothing but loneliness. Give me what I desire and I will save your twin.”

Shea gasped. “You lie.”

“Like you, my sweet angel, I can’t. Trust me, I have often wished to speak a falsehood but alas, we are not that different.”

When the words sank into Shea’s mind, she digested his meaning again.

“I can’t trust you.”

He chuckled. “Yes you can and you already do, or else you’d have started screaming from the first moment you saw me. Plus, have I said anything wrong to you in your dreams?”

“I too know the art of omission, demon,” said Shea with more spunk than she felt. Her eyes darted around the alley and like a slither of hope, she spied the broken bottle, knowing it was her only weapon and hope for salvation.

“Seriously, you’re thinking of attacking me when I have offered a way to save what you most desire?”

She sighed. He was right. “If I grant you my soul, what guarantee do I have you will do as you say?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I will give you a blood oath.”

Shea had heard of this before and knew the exchange of blood bound him to his word. “I accept.”

“To be clear, my angel, do you understand what I’m asking? You must willingly give me your soul.”

“Only after we take the blood oath.”

He smiled and the effect was totally disarming.

“I like an angel who can bargain. Yes, the oath first and then your gift.”

Shea couldn’t speak, so she simply nodded.

A small knife appeared in his hand and then he quickly cut his palm, handing her the knife by the hilt.

It’s now or never. Shea cut her flesh. He pulled her hand into his. The minute their blood joined she closed her eyes, but the minute he spoke scripture her eyes flew open. He smiled down at her when he’d finished speaking.

“Your turn,” he said.

Shea returned his words. A sharp tingle ran up her arm.

“It’s done,” he said.

“I didn’t know a demon knew scripture.”

“There’s lot we don’t know of each other. Now, quit stalling.”

Shea watched the cut on her palm heal. That had never happened before.

“Oh, that’s my blood.”

“Are you telling me all demons can do that?”

He chuckled. “Nope. Only me. Let’s just call it a gift from my father.”

The mention of his father drew her up sharp.

He tilted her chin up with his finger. “Don’t be afraid—this won’t hurt.”

“Wha—”

He moved to claim her lips. He wasn’t demanding, rather the opposite. Shea knew he waited for her to accept what he wanted and after the blood oath she didn’t hesitate. She’d do anything to save her twin. After all the years of sacrificing in silence this demon offered her hope. She’d never mentioned her twin to her sisters. Why should she? Her mother died giving birth to her sister, securing silence from the midwife attending her. But their twin telepathic link was so strong that even when others thought her mad for questioning the possibility of another sister, she knew in her heart and soul the truth. When finally she’d held a blade to the midwife’s throat the truth had been spoken. And since that day she’d hunted for her sister to no avail. If this demon could bequeath her with her sister she’d give him what she wanted.

She allowed her soul to fuel through her cells and then gifted it to him. The second her soul left her the world went dark. Too late she realized, maybe the gifting of her soul would truly be the death of her.

*

Isabella heard the Cherub’s anguished note. The sound of breaking crystal soared through her entire system. Bolting up from the bed, she heard the fleeting sounds of her sisters’ gathering outside her door. With haste, she opened her bedroom door to allow them all to enter. Tears of anguish, worry, and something much darker marred their faces. The only Cherub missing was Anya. For that, Izzy was glad.

They began speaking all at once, worry making their voices carry high notes.

“We’ll find her,” said Izzy. “Already Mike and Nathanael are looking. If we heard Shea’s scream, then Nathanael will too. He’ll find her and bring her back, no matter what.” Why now do I have such faith in this Sere? She’d cursed him enough when he’d left that two new burn marks of Rashi script now looped around her left leg, adding to her body’s soreness.

It was Meredith who spoke. “Gareth can help.”

Izzy digested Meredith’s words, her heart warring slightly with the wisdom of her best friend. “If you can reach him,” she said.

“He’s…he’s in the common room,” said Meredith. “I’ll ask him. He would be honored to help us, Izzy. And it would be good for him.”

A not so subtle poke, a reminder Gareth still fought the good fight. “Thanks, Meredith. Please ask him. I…” The world started to tilt, Izzy grabbed at the sleeve of the sister standing closest to her.