Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 99935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99935 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 500(@200wpm)___ 400(@250wpm)___ 333(@300wpm)
“But if you do not have the power to create and wield magic, I cannot give it to you,” he stated. “If you want to make use of demon magic, you’ll need to make use of a demon. Recruit one, subjugate him, make him helpless to your whims as you have many a human male gifted with the honor of knowing you.” His leering smirk twisted my lips. “Mere moments in your presence, and I already know you’re no stranger to getting men to do what you want—” He cocked his head. “Matter of fact, there’s another little boost I can trade you. I can amplify your power of seduction so that one drop of your sweet, tasty pussy juices makes all men—”
“Stop!” I blared. “No, no, no, and fuck no to that! I won’t be seducing any demons! I just need to be sure I won’t be found out and killed two seconds after setting foot in the place. Are you certain that super-powered gaslighting and glamours are going to be enough to help me infiltrate the academy, rescue Dora, and get her back home? If you are, put it in the contract,” I demanded. “Put in the contract that if your magic fails me for any reason, the deal is void and I keep my soul.”
Lucifer raised his hand, his finger and thumb poised to snap.
“Wait, no!” I lurched forward, snapping the quill out of the air. “Scratch that! Ignore what I just said!”
My chest heaved, rolling with my harsh, runaway breaths. That was close. That was much too close! Stop letting emotion get the best of you. Take a breath, and think.
“No,” I repeated, eyes narrowing on him. “Those terms would’ve been my death sentence. All you would’ve had to do is give me cheap, crappy magic that fails me. The deal would be void, but I’d still be stuck in hell, and at the mercy of however many demons and fallen angels serve you and only you. All you’d have to do is order them to take my soul, or impregnate me and take my soul. You’d still win.”
A smile stretched his lips. Not a smirk or leer, but a true and real smile so horrible, I wanted to run out of the room. “Oh, yes,” he whispered, sending a shiver up my spine. “I like you, darling. Dare I say, I’m falling harder for you by the second. Such a clever, clever girl.”
My throat bobbed with a hard swallow. He didn’t have to confirm it. I knew in that moment, that’s exactly what he would’ve done to me had I let him put it in the contract.
“Okay,” I breathed, willing my heart to slow. “Let’s... try this again. You said that Dora had to be taken to this academy place because it’s neutral territory. Any House found to be harboring a human female would bring war on their heads, so these are my real and ironclad terms. You, Lucifer, will give me all the spells, magic, and abilities that you can possibly give me, even the things I’d never have considered, to ensure I get in and out of hell safely with my sister. Because if for some reason I fail or get found out, you will be the one to instantly appear and save one or both of us from trouble.”
I returned his smile with one of my own. “You’re the one who’s going to take on all the risk and danger. You’re the one who’ll have a vested interest in me flying under the radar, because I may not know exactly what a House is, but I know you got one—House Lucifer. And unless you want all of hell to know House Lucifer is the one messing around with human females to the point you’re breaking into protected, neutral territory to protect one...” I clicked my tongue. “You’ll have no choice but to become my unseen guardian angel.
“It’s either that, or everyone’s going to see you fly to my aid, and everyone’s going to know Naughty Lucy’s making another play to take over all of hell—and something tells me they won’t take too well to that.” I cocked my head in the same peculiar way he did. “How’s that for subjugating a man to my will?”
A noise ripped from his throat—loud, oppressive, and ear-piercing. His laugh.
“Well done,” he guffawed. “Well done, darling. You are amazing. Utterly and completely magnificent! First, you trap me with nets, then you trap me with my own foolish words. Oh,” he breathed, “I could rip your tongue out for using the information I gave you against me. Or I could have you right here and now.” Licking his lips, a large and highly noticeable bulge pushed against his pants. “I truly cannot decide, and it’s delicious.”
I choked, fear strangling me for all that I wouldn’t let it show on my face. “D-do it,” I forced out. “Put it in the contract or we have no deal.”