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It didn’t begin that way. Originally, I wanted nothing to do with the Otherworld. But then I got kidnapped and grew wings, and going back to earth just wasn’t an option.

And now … well, let’s just say the Otherworld has its perks.

The Bargainer’s eyes shine in that way they do when I say something that moves him.

“You know, you’re really cute when you go soft on me,” I say.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, taking my hand and dragging me over to him. His eyes drop to my lips. “But you know what we should talk about? The fact that you got a king to swear his fealty to you.”

I guffaw. “I apologized to him, that’s all.”

“And in return he pledged you his loyalty—” Des stops speaking when he catches sight of a guard hustling over. He watches the man, face impassive.

“Your Majesty,” the soldier says when he gets to us, nodding first to Des, then to me, “The sleeping soldiers, they’ve been talking nonstop since this morning.”

Des’s features harden. “About what?”

The guard’s eyes slide to me. “Your mate.”

When Des andI enter the royal dungeon, the noise is nearly deafening. Dozens and dozens of voices are talking at once.

“I want to speak with Callypso Lillis … I want to speak with Callypso Lillis …”

“… speak with Callypso Lillis … I want to speak …”

“Callypso Lillis.”

The door slams shut behind us, and like a spell being broken, the voices quiet. In the silence that follows, my skin pricks.

I begin to walk, Des at my heels. You could hear a pin drop in this place, it’s so quiet.

As soon as we reach the first cells, I catch sight of the sleeping soldiers. They all stand at attention, their bodies rigid. Only their eyes move, following me as I pass by.

That malignant magic tinges the air. I can smell the evil that's settled into these soldiers. It’s still taking up residence in them like a parasite.

“Who wanted to speak with me?” I call out.

From several cells down, a low voice says, “You know who.”

A chill slides down my spine. There’s only one person who’s poisoned this lot.

The already dark dungeon block darkens further with the Bargainer’s displeasure.

“This guy’s got some brass balls,” he mutters under his breath.

I step up to the cell the voice came from. Inside there are a dozen soldiers, all of them male. Their bodies are still covered in the gore they woke in … well, that and whatever blood splattered onto them during the battle.

One of the sleeping soldiers steps forward. His skin is tawny, his eyes are hazel, and his plaited hair is dark brown.

He smiles at me. “Hello, enchantress.”

Chapter 18

My siren clawsat me, sensing how spooked I am.

I step up to the bars, careful not to touch the iron. “What do you want?”

The man begins to pace the length of the cell, his gaze never leaving mine. He doesn’t answer, just continues to pace back and forth, back and forth.