Page 55 of Dancing With Demons

Raven whipped us both around so fast, her hair slapped me in the face. “Ronin, explain this thing!” She shook me at him. I was the thing. “Why is she walking around wearing your true name?”

“Because she’s my new pet, of course,” Ronin drawled without opening his eyes. “Why else?”

Raven flushed dangerously red—her cheeks competing with her copper curls. “Your pet? Your pet what? Pet sacrifice?”

Ronin opened an eye. “Hmm. Now there’s a thought...”

I went stiff as a board. What? He can’t be serious. He wouldn’t turn around and kill me after every—

“But no,” he finished. “I don’t need to sacrifice the mortal. I’m powerful enough already.”

Ursula scoffed. “No one’s powerful enough. Seriously, if you’re not doing anything with her, give her to me. I was already planning to kill the bitch for stealing my win with the shade and making me run laps.”

Stealing her win?! Were these pampered brats for real?!

“No, give her to me,” Sauda spoke up. “She’ll be great for target practice. Right, ladies?”

A bunch of lady demons all dressed in various shades of yellow from gold to lemon cream all chimed in with their agreement. I assumed they were all pledged to serve House Greed, and Sauda.

“No, I’m taking her.” Eris was suddenly by my side, yanking on my arm. “Lots of rumors going around that she’s a witch, but she’s been clever enough to deny and hide her powers up till now.” She grinned into my eyes. “We’ll see how long that lasts under torture.”

“Did you all not fucking hear me?” Ronin’s voice dropped the temperature a hundred degrees. “She’s mine.”

Raven bristled, lips peeling back from her teeth. “Well, look who’s all possessive.”

Ah, so you hear it too.

“What’s your deal with the mortal, Ronin?” Raven demanded, her voice getting louder. “Huh? Answer me!”

“It’s not a deal,” Ronin drawled—a smirk tugging at his lips. “It’s a bond.”

Raven rocked back, dropping my arm. “A bond? You don’t mean— Not the sub bond,” she cried. “Ronin, are you insane? No one does that anymore! The downside if you break the bond is brutal! You might as well go out murder-suicide-style than pay that price!”

“What?” I blurted. “Ronin, what is she talking about? What’s the downside?”

He sighed, finally sitting up and opening his eyes. The guy dared to look at us like we were irritating him out of his sleep. “Nothing you need worry your pretty little head about, pet. There will be no downside because we won’t be breaking the bond.”

“But you—”

My phone went off, buzzing against my leg. “Tristan?” I broke free of Eris and Raven, turning away. It had to be Tristan. Only two people knew this number, and the other person was sitting right in front of me.

I answered without looking. “Hello? Tristan, is that you?” I asked. “Is everything okay? I’ve been trying to reach you, but—”

“You haven’t tried nearly as hard as I’ve fought to get to you, honey.”

The beginnings of my smile vanished like a dewdrop in the desert. “What the hell do you want?”

Professor Radu laughed out loud. “I’ve missed you too.”

I rolled my eyes so hard, I made myself dizzy. “You’ve got a lot of damn nerve.” Grasping Dora’s shoulder, I steered her to our seats and cooling food. “You sent hundreds of bloodthirsty serial killers after me,” I hissed. “What would’ve happened if I wasn’t in my room with Tristan at the time? They would’ve drained me dry!”

“I only did what I promised I would do, sweetie. I’d never break a promise to you, nor would I let you slip out of my fingers that easily,” he chirped. “I didn’t send the bloodthirsty serial killers after you until I confirmed you were in your room with the wolf.”

“After you confirmed?” I paused raising my coffee to my lips. “What are you talking—?”

Thud!

I jerked, flicking up as Ronin dropped in the seat next to me. Was it me or did he not look happy?