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It was a compliment that packed more punch than any insult, and Evan felt that punch in his gut. The boiling anger exploded inside him as he pointed an angry finger in the demon’s face. “Listen here, you fucking—”

Faster than Evan could’ve anticipated, a huge hand shot forward and wrapped around his mouth, conveniently shutting him up.

The demon straightened to his feet, all traces of amusement gone. “Stop talking.”

Explicit curses left Evan’s lips and went muffled against the demon’s grip as the latter pulled him closer. Evan pushed and punched at him with both hands, but to no avail. It was evident how little effort the demon was putting into his actions, yet he was so easily able to overpower him.

Perhaps he was weaker without that relic he wanted Evan to find for him. But hewasstrong enough to kill Evan with a flick of his wrist.

“Little Storm, I wasn’t requesting your aid,” the demon smiled—genuinely smiled—but his voice sent a shiver creeping down Evan’s spine. “Youwillhelp me. You don’t have another option.”

Evan scowled, unable to understand what he was implying as he fought against the grip on his mouth. To his slight convenience, the demon decided to explain further.

“After all, we have a bond.”

At that, Evan’s actions froze, eyes widening.

“Bnnd?” he yelled against the demon’s palm. “Wt bnnd?”

The demon chuckled. “So, you don’t recall?”

Evan’s growl was muffled as he tried to punch the face in front of him. The demon only tilted his head to dodge that weak blow, then caught both of Evan’s wrists in his free hand.

With an inhuman speed, the demon moved, forcing Evan against the window, the glass panes rattling as his back jammed into it. To decrease any remaining advantages he might have, the demon pushed his legs against Evan’s, pinning them into the wall, effectively gluing him motionless.

“You asked me to save you from the fire. So, I did,” the demon leaned closer, lips hot against Evan’s ear. “You gave me your blood, and we sealed the bond. So, unless you are willingly going to surrender your soul to me, you have no choice but to help me.”

Evan’s whole body trembled with rage—and something else he couldn’t understand—as he tried to push the demon away.

Had Evan asked for his help at the Greene Mansion while the fire broke out? Is that why Aaron had found Evan lying near the hallway? Evan couldn’t recall. But he’d definitely notgiventhe demon his blood. He’d taken it by force.

As if reading his mind—and Evan was pretty sure he could—the demon dragged his now elongated fangs against Evan’s jaws, making him flinch to a halt. “Even if you don’t remember doing it, the bond is still sealed. You’re bound to me. Now, what are you going to do? Help me or…give up your soul?”

Evan shut his eyes, breathing raggedly as his mind raced, limbs numb from fighting uselessly against a figure double his size.

The Doctrine of Blackwood Exorcists. Rule 27: “Forming bonds or opening channels of spiritual connection through blood contracts or similar rituals with unholy entities for any reason is strictly forbidden.”

Celie’s face flashed through Evan’s mind: her smile, her frown, her tears. Would she cry if he died? Would she curse himfor leaving like Evan had cursed their father? Was he willing to find out?

For the longest span of his life, Evan had avoided being related to his father through name or reputation or personality. The obsession with isolating his image from him was so strong that he’d gone out of his way to become everything his father had once detested. Everything Evan knew his father would despise to see in his son. But even if he’d managed to avoid his father’s shadow in life, what about in death?

What if Evan died and all he left behind was a legacy of a disastrous future for his sister? Would there still be any difference between him and his father?

You’re not him.

Evan’s eyelids fluttered as a foreign voice echoed low in his conscience. Unknown yet so familiar. Like it was him but not quite…him?

Evan’s conscience faltered.Who?

Live.The voice whispered.You must live.

When Evan’s eyes fluttered open, he found himself still pressed against the window, his feet dangling just inches above the floor. A knee was wedged between his thighs, lifting him slightly off the ground. The hand that had been covering his mouth had slid to his jaw, and his arms were pinned above his head.

Evan's face was on fire.

What in the rom-com shit is this position?

“Let go of me!”