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Hestiffened his body like a plank.Musclesstraining, he resisted the suction and still defended against blows. “I’vegot this, witch!”

“Hardly!”Poppysnared one of her pouches, power infusing her again.Sheaimed a beam at the skeleton closest to him, knocking its bones out like bowling pins.

Thething reformed to attack.

Wheneverthe skeletons swung their scythes,Poppyparried with beams—but they were too fast.

Rökflung himself to the side, just avoiding a strike.Theskeleton lost its balance and tumbled skull-first into the abyss.Whoosh!

Fiveleft.

Rökrepeated the move, tricking another skeleton into the pit.Four.BetweenPoppy’sdefensive beams and his maneuvering, they took out three more.Whoosh.Whoosh.Whoosh!

Oneleft.Thedemon rocked across the oubliette and yanked his last foe by its ankle bones, sending it bouncing against the sides of the opening.Thesuction devoured the final skeleton.Whoosh!

Enemydefeated.

WhenRökrolled to safety,Poppyhastened over, unable to disguise her relief.

Emberand mist filled her senses as he gazed up at her, his eyes glowing even more.Colorflushed his cheekbones and his lips curved, tempering his demonic visage. “Arewe in the clear?”

Sheprobed the activity of her curse and breathlessly said, “Fora bit.”Hecatehelp her,Poppy’sdesire for him was only growing worse.

Didshe wantRökso badly that she would join his rotation of swimbos?Maybeshe wasn’t as self-respecting as she’d thought.Maybeshe was weak where he was concerned.

Thesefears haunted her as much as her visitors.

Whenhe’d called her the day after their debacle of a date, he’d given no explanation, just asked for a makeup, promising the best steak in all the worlds.Soshe’d agreed to meet onHalloween, a night when she’d known nothing could tempt her to go, not evenRök. . . .

Hisgrin deepened as he easily made it to his feet. “Lookat that worry for me.”Hebrushed his hands off, all cockiness, and not a scratch on him.

Herlips parted as realization hit. “Youwere never in jeopardy.”

“Noteven a bit.”

“Youwere playing with them?”

Gleefulnod. “Stillconsider me mediocre?Youactually thought you were riding in to save the day.Tosaveme, a demon warrior, from skeletons!”

Hereyes went wide, her face growing hot. “Iwasted a pouch on you!”

Ina patronizing tone, he said, “Let’sconsider that magic well spent.Iproved my mettle, andIalso got a glimpse into your feelings.Youdo give a damn about me.”

“OrmaybeIdidn’t want to feel guilt when my curse killed you.”

Aflash of doubt crossed his expression.Thenhis easy smile returned. “Nah.Youlike me.”Hereached for her. “Thisdemon’s still in the game.Consideryour ass mine.”

Sheshoved him into the oubliette.

Whoosh!

SIX

Rök’sclaws scrabbled along the edge of the hole as he fought ?the ungodsly suction.

SomethingIsaid?

Bythe time he’d powered his way out, the witch had left him without a glance back.Heheard the light tap of her boots as she climbed the stairs.