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“Every bead is a favor I owe the Bargainer,” I rush to explain. The secret burns leaving my throat.

For most of the supernatural world, the Bargainer is more myth than man. And those who do know a bit about him know that he doesn’t let any of his clients buy more than two or three favors at a time, and he never waits this long to collect his dues.

The other end of the line is quiet, which is not a good sign. Finally Eli says, “Tell me you’re kidding, Callypso.” A low growl enters his voice.

“I’m not,” I say softly.

His growl intensifies. “The man’s a wanted criminal.”

As if I’m not aware of that little fact.

“It happened a long time ago.” I don’t know why I even bother defending myself.

“Why are you just now telling me this?” The wolf in him has almost drowned out his words.

I take a deep breath. “Because he visited last night,” I say.

“He… visited you? Last night? Where?” he demands.

I close my eyes. This call is only going to get worse.

“My house.”

“Tell me what happened.” Judging from the way Eli’s voice is rumbling, I doubt he’s going to hold onto the phone conversation for much longer.

I look down at the chipped polish of my nails.

Just say it.

The only other person besides Des who knew about my debts was Temper. “I had three hundred and twenty-two favors I owed him. Now I have one less. He’s going to collect the rest starting tonight.”

“Three hundred and twenty-two favors?” Eli repeats. “Callie, the Bargainer would never—”

“He would—hedid,” I insist.

The silence on the other end of the line is ominous.

He must be wondering what would make the Bargainer part from his business practices so thoroughly. And I know the moment he comes to his own conclusion.

I pull the phone away from my ear as Eli roars, and I hear something smash. “What were you thinking, making deals with the King of the Night?”

The King of the Night. Being the Bargainer was just a side gig for Desmond.

I don’t answer Eli. I can’t explain myself, not without unleashing more terrible secrets.

“What did he make you do?” A growl drowns out most of his words.

My dread mounts. My life is about to be flipped on its head. Knowing the Bargainer, whatever repayment he asks of me, it’s going to involve breaking the law at the very least.

Eli would never stand for that.

I have to tell him.

“Eli, I can’t be with you,” I whisper. The words have been echoing in my mind from the very beginning of our relationship. I’d just had so many reasons to not say them that I ignored the truth.

And now that they’re out in the open, relief washes through me. It’s the wrong reaction. Ending a relationship is sad; I should feel sad, not…free. But I do feel free. I’ve been leading this poor man along, desperately trying to fix my scarred, broken heart in the arms of someone who wasn’t right for me.

“Callie, you’re not serious, are you?” The wolf in him lets out a whine.