Page 11 of Devils Don’t Deal

I straightened and raised my chin. I shouldn’t have cried; that had just made him think I was too childish to make my own choices. “I know his name is Philius Gray. I know he put you in a cage. I also know he has all Mom’s debts and is offering me a bakery.”

He grabbed my arm, claws almost pressing into my skin while his eyes burned intently. “You’re smarter than this. I know it’s been a rough week, a rough year, and you aren’t thinking things through. At least sleep on it.”

I threw up my hands. “Where am I supposed to sleep on it? The goblins are waiting for me to leave. Even if they weren’t, I’ve been evicted. None of the devil’s people seem that miserable. It’s not like he tortures anyone. He’s just a devil, like you’re a goblin. And he has that sum-positive curse.”

He glowered. “You’ve made up your mind.”

“I’m not running away without you. You should’ve realized that when you made the deal with the devil, it would involve me.”

He closed his eyes and stood there for a moment, eyelids quivering. Would this break him?

I grabbed his hand. “It’s okay. I maybe wouldn’t have gotten another loan for the funeral, but I agreed with the medical treatments. More than agreed. Every second was a gift. And the funeral really was beautiful. A wonderful sendoff. If only I’d been able to enjoy it.”

His eyes widened. “What happened at the funeral?”

I hesitated then smiled brightly. “I punched my boss. Oops.”

His eyes brightened, and for a second, he almost smiled. “Now that’s something I’d like to have seen. That’s what you mean about being evicted? You lost your job for punching that arrogant, worthless kit? He never treated you with the respect you deserve. Just because you’re part goblin doesn’t make you less than anyone else. If you act like you’re worth less, that’s how people will treat you. You deserve all the best things, princess.”

I beamed at him. “Thanks. And now I deserve a bakery!”

He groaned but didn’t seem quite as upset. “Are you determined?”

I nodded and picked up the rabbit, holding it under my chin and making my eyes big and adorable over his head. “And I get a pet! Isn’t he so cute?”

He winced as he looked at the rabbit. “A cursed pet, and a cursed bakery, but at least I’ve equipped you to handle curses.”

I nodded. “Smother them with love.”

“And spells.”

“And baked goods!”

He ruffled my hair. “With you everything is baked goods.”

“Seriously, though, in the back of my mind, I’ve been thinking, wouldn’t macarons be the best things to draw the shop’s curse into them? And then just burn them!”

“Special fire.”

“Obviously, but you’re amazing at special fire.”

He slowly nodded. “It could work.”

“See? It’s going to be lovely! We’ll work together to keep the rabbit alive and make the shop profitable, and then…”

“Profitable. That’s another clause. If it’s not profitable…”

“But it will be. My baked goods are irresistible. It’s the only thing I’m good at, so at least I’m very, very good. It’s going to all work out. You’ll see.” I held his hand, squeezing it while hanging onto the rabbit.

He sighed heavily then squeezed my hand back. “Fine. Let’s do this, but when everything falls to pieces, remember that I told you so.”

I burst out laughing while a slight smile played on the edges of his mouth. “Ah, being right. Worth almost any tragedy.” I kissed the rabbit’s head, ignoring the scent and the sores, then put him down on the desk so I could turn to the last page and the last line. I picked up the pen then signed my name as boldly as I could with a long flourish at the end. If I was going to the devil, I’d do it with style.

Gold sparks and smoke filled with glitter sprang up after the last letter. And then the entire document disappeared along with the pen.

I stood there with this ominous sense of dread while my dad’s face bore all the strain, but we both shrugged.

“He seems overly dramatic,” I said.