Page 46 of Beauty At Stake
“Give him a choice.”
“Really?”
“I can't force him to be bait. That's not fair, especially after what he's been through.”
“He might be compromised anyway.”
“In what way?”
“If she was watching the bar, she'll know that we took him.”
“They cleared the place, babe,” Kill said. “As soon as you brought down that hakhil—nice work by the way—the Demons breathed their toxic breath on the humans and knocked them all out.”
“It's called brimstone breath.” Star rolled his eyes.
“Yeah, as I said.”
“The Witch could have had access to Losuc's security feed,” I said.
“The extinguishers and vexes are supposed to be handling that shit. We can ask them when we get back to Thailand,” Kill reminded me.
I looked at Star. “So, what will you do?”
“I can bind Losuc to Hell. It's usually a punishment, but in this case, it will keep him from being summoned.” Star waved at Losuc. “Or he can choose to help us.”
“Are you ready?”
“Yes. Uncross him, Seren.”
I went to Losuc, my fingers already filling with lavender light. When I touched him, I broke the star-crossing, and Losuc shuddered into a forward bend.
“How you doing there, buddy?” Killian laid a hand on Losuc's shoulder. “Did you catch all that? Or were you too dazed by my wife's enchantment?”
Instead of answering my husband, Losuc looked up and met his king's stare. “You are not Lucifer.”
Star flinched, then lifted his chin. “No, I will never be like him. That is why I killed him.”
Losuc nodded and got to his feet, but only to bend at the waist. When he straightened, he said, “Hail King Astaroth! I give you my fealty and offer to aid you in any way that I can.”
I lifted my brows at Star.
Star rose to come around the desk. He took Losuc's hands. “I accept your fealty and your offer of assistance. Thank you, Losuc. Even if you can't serve as a lure for the Witch, you can still help us find her.”
Losuc struck his chest with a fist. “I'm honored to serve, Sire.”
“Maybe we should head back now?” Killian suggested.
“It's late, and I haven't slept in over a day,” I said. “Let's go home and get some rest. We can go back to Thailand afterward.”
“Yes, we can all use some sleep,” Star agreed. “We'll find you a room for the night, Losuc.”
“One moment, Your Majesty.” Losuc turned to me and bowed. “Thank you, World-Strider. You saved me a lot of physical pain.”
“Do you remember what I said to you when I caught you?”
Losuc frowned, then his expression cleared. “You said that they are all your people.”
“You're included in that, Losuc. And what else did I say?”
