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AsPoppyandRöksearched, conversation flowed, nearly as comfortable and natural as on their date.Shetried to plumb his mood and got the impression that he was excited about spending time with her.Butshe also sensed . . . relief.

Strangedemon.Theykept the topics light, though she itched to know what had really happened to him since their date.Whyhad he booked so many jobs practically guaranteed to get even an immortal merc killed?

Afterchecking all the rooms on this floor, they followed the hall to a stairwell.Inside, they gazed up and up and up.

Röksaid, “Ididn’t see this many stories from the outside.Theexterior must be an illusion.”

“Orthis is.”Upthe stairs they went to the next floor and another seemingly endless corridor with dozens of doors. “Searchingwill take hours.”Poppyglanced at her watch.Timecontinued to slip past.

“Ihave an idea,”Röksaid dryly. “Weshould split up.”

Despiteeverything, a chuckle escaped her.Hisexpression was lively, his smile mesmerizing.Gods, she wished she could get over him.Thesight of him like this was another memory she’d store, never to be erased.

“Howdo you eat an elephant, witch?Biteby bite.”

“Dodemons eat elephants?”

“Justa human saying.Demonsaren’t so different fromWiccae.”

“Iwould beg to differ, butInever beg.”Despitewhat he’d fantasized.Begmoreuntil she beggedno more.

How. . . intriguing.

“Hmm.”Thatdeep rumble washed over her, penetrating her defenses.Thecomfort between them evaporated, scorched away by sexual tension. “Yougive a demon ideas,Poppy.Whenwe get out of here,I’mgoing to . . .”Hisunfinished promise hung in the air, his gaze narrowing on her eyes. “Glowingagain.Lookslike we’re in for more adventures.”

Onlythen did she notice the curse churning.Somewherein this castle, a child’s laughter rang out.

EIGHT

Thehair on the back ofRök’sneck had stood up a split second before he heard a kid’s laugh.Yetthat taunting sound was nothing like the twins’ bubbly giggles.

WhenPoppyturned down the hallway, he said, “Sowe’re just going to ignore that laughter?”Heopened the closest door.

Shesensed the room. “SometimesI’llhear the visitors but won’t see them.MaybeIwon’t have to tangle with that particular nightmare tonight.”

“Wewon’t have to.”Hechecked his mental database of horror movie villains. “Soare we talking about a killer doll?”

“Depends.Doyou smell corn?”

“No.”

“Thenit’s a doll.”

“Fantastic.”

“Thingsare always fantastic with you.”

Heraised his brows. “Betterthan sayingthat’s fuckedwith each of your revelations.”

Insteadof taking offense, she nodded as if he’d made a good point.

Morelaughter sounded.Yearsago, he’d overheard humans talking about a killer doll movie.Onehad commented, “Whata demonic little shit.”

Rökrecalled being offended.Demonic, my ass.He’dbeen tempted to show them his demon self.Nowhe askedPoppy, “Ifit shows, how do we kill it?Burnor behead?”Hehoped the latter.Thisdusty carpet could catch fire and spread, and the castle wasn’t exactly filled with emergency exits.

“Sometimes. . . more than one doll shows up.”

“Letme guess: each one has to be killed in a different way?”