Page 199 of Commanding Blood And Bonds
“You like to study, I’m told. Allegedly there’s a brain worth rivaling under that pretty face, but I’ve yet to see the proof.”
Fighting a growl, I held her gaze. Lemon and sage filled my lungs. Sweet, too sweet. Mouth-watering.
“That’s what I thought. So, Mr. Historian, tell me—what happens when we ignore karmic ties to another soul?”
When I just glared, her grin widened.
“They grow louder. More demanding. Screaming for release. Balance. Until they’re satisfied...or you’re dead. But balance isn’t always eye for an eye. It’s flexible. Depends on the mercy of the claimant—and what they most need.”
“What are you doing here, Freya?” I demanded again, not flinching as the tip of her blade nicked through my jeans.
“I’ve come to make a deal, prince of shadows.”
“What kind of deal?”
“One that will satisfy both debts.”
“Explain,” I said, lowering my knife from her throat and dropping it to the floor with a metallic clatter in a sign of truce. I had more. She knew it. She didn’t care.
Her blade flattened against my jugular. The other pressed harder.
“You help me acquire an artifact for my Commander, and I clear your life debt.”
I studied her. This woman had fucked with my life for weeks, threatened everyone I cared about, and now she had me by the balls—literally—offering some half-baked deal. Returning Cali’s data, if she even had, wasn’t enough.
Not even close.
“What kind of artifact?” Voice flat, I stared down at her, gaze dropping as she dragged a sharp canine over her bottom lip.
“Rhiannon Hadriana’s diadem.”
I blinked. Twice. That’s how long it took for cold fear to wrap around my throat. I staggered back. Freya let me, lowering her weapons but not sheathing them.
With ice in my veins, I asked, “What are you playing at?”
“It’s needed to secure victory against Adrastos.”
“And you think I’m gonna help you steal my mother hierarchy’s relic?”
“Yes.”
“After everything you’ve done?” I growled. “You break into my home and expect that I’ll—”
“You live in a hotel so I’d hardly call it breaking in.”
“—drop everything and help you? Don’t fucking play semantics.”
“Door was wide open,” she said, all wide eyes and sarcasm.
“Well, I’m thrilled to disappoint you. Ain’t gonna happen.”
“Of course it is,” she said sweetly.
“The fuck are you talking about?”
“Do you want to be rid of this debt or not?”
“Nah, I think I’ll keep it,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Rather than face Moros Balaskas.”
