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Paimon looked down the abyss. “You know, this clan believes there’s a monster, even uglier and nastier than them, living in the depths of this mountain? They think that one day, it’ll crawl from the darkness and eat them all.”
I frowned. That was stupid. Then why didn’t they leave this mountain? I shook my head, clearing my thoughts. I focused on what was important.
“Where’s Ivy?”
Paimon walked around me. “That is not how this game works.”
“So this is a game?”
“Perhaps. I could put my hands around your neck and take your magic away, but what is the fun in that?”
I thought he had a more nefarious plan for me, like using me as bait to lure the others and attack them while he sneaked through the gate.
“All you want is my power?”
His eyes flashed dark. “Every ounce of it.”
I gulped.
“Didn’t I tell you what I did to your siblings when they didn’t want to join me? I absorbed their magic. Most died in the process, and those who didn’t …” He shrugged. “I killed them after.”
I shuddered and my stomach revolved. “You told me.”
“When your dear mate rescued you, I considered letting you go. But then you had to show up when we were killing the dragon, didn’t you?” His face grew red and he shouted, “And you stole half of my magic!” I winced. Paimon took a deep breath and smoothed his hands over his suit jacket. “That magic is mine, and I’ll have it.”
He lifted his hands, lunging for me.
I created a wall of dragon’s magic between us. “Hear me out!”
He halted.
“Let me see Ivy. Let me have a few moments with her, as sisters. If I confirm she is fine and taken care of, I’ll surrender. I’ll let you have the dragon’s magic. Hell, you can even have the darkfire.” I never wanted any of those magics. All I wanted was to be a wolf shifter and be welcomed in my pack—one I was born like, the other I had achieved on my own.
Paimon tilted his head, narrowed his eyes at me. “That easy?”
“That easy,” I lied. As if I would surrender to this demon. I just needed to get to Ivy. Then I would think of a second part to this crazy plan.
“All right,” he said.
I dropped the shield
“To show you I appreciate when you lived with me, I’ll let you see Ivy for the rest of the night. In the morning, you’ll come to me.” He snapped his fingers.
Two figures walked from the archway along the rocks, and I took a step back from the tall humanoids with yellowish, sleek skin, broad shoulders, a long nose, claws, and razor teeth.
“This is your first time seeing a Huddyriun, isn’t it?” He chuckled. “Don’t worry, they won’t hurt you unless I tell them to.”
I swallowed my disgust and fear as they wrapped big hands around my arms and pulled me with them.
We were about to cross the archway into the darkness, when Paimon called, “Oh, Raika.” The Huddyriuns stopped and turned me to face the demon again. “Do you think this was all a coincidence? Your mate suddenly needs to travel thousands of miles away from you, and then you get a text from Ivy?”
The blood drained from my face. “You … you did that.”
“I did, and it was satisfying.” He put his hands in his pockets again and rolled on the balls of his feet. “If it all works out, that will be the last you see of him.”
He turned his back to me and the Huddyriuns pulled a numb me into the dark tunnel.
16
