Page 104 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

“Ah,” Canyon said sagely.“You know about the curse.”

My brow furrowed.“You know about it?”

“That’s why I want Garion’s token specifically.”

Melissa’s lips pulled back to reveal her fangs.“If you want pain and suffering, I’m more than willing to provide it.”

“You’re king of the night court,” I said.“You have magic and influence.What else do you want?Maybe I can help you.”

Canyon looked surprised.“I’m threatening to declare you in breach of our bargain, and you want to help me?”

“I’d rather have you as an ally than an enemy.”

His expression shifted into something closer to curiosity, like he was actually considering my words.Then he shook his head like he was flinging the idea from his mind.“The only way you can help is to give me Garion’s token.Even if I make you djinn, you couldn’t do what he can.”

“What?”

“You can’t do what he can.”

“I know.But you said if you make me djinn.”

His stare felt more serious.More intense.“You don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?”

“What happens if you break your bargain.”

“I’ll be trapped in the fey dimension.”Then, because his gaze turned patronizing, I added, “Right?That’s what would have happened to Blake if he hadn’t fulfilled his agreement with Cyrielle.”

“Cyrielle is a peasant, not a royal fey.Break a bargain with one of us, and youbecomedjinn.”

The skin around my lips felt prickly, like I’d suddenly gone pale.No wonder Jared, Nora, and Garion all said I didn’t have a choice.

“Djinn are made,” Canyon said.“They aren’t born.Garion was human once, long ago.”

I felt sick.I’d had no idea, though when I thought about it, Garion might have hinted at it.What had he said in the cemetery?He didn’t wantthisto happen to me.

“Eternal slavery changing your mind?”Canyon asked.

I looked at Melissa.She shook her head just perceptibly.Whether that meant don’t give him the token or don’t default on your bargain, I didn’t know.

I had to make a decision so I threw a Hail Mary.

“Okay.”I white-knuckled the steering wheel, hoping it looked like I hated myself for what I was about to say.“You’re calling in my debt.I have until dawn to comply.Meet me tomorrow morning.I’ll give you the token then.”

He studied me for so long I was certain he was about to laugh.Fey were obsessed with seasons and sun cycles.The dawn deadline was the only information I’d come across that sounded plausible.If this didn’t work…

Canyon’s expression turned grim.“You’ve been talking to someone.”

The dawn deadline was real?I didn’t release my breath yet, didn’t react at all.

“When I find the person who told you about this, I will end them.”His jaw clenched.“Dawn.Not a second later.”

He shoved open the door, and he left.Probably.It at leastlookedlike he’d walked away and into the woods.But he was fey.Maybe he’d illusioned the exit and he was still sitting in the back seat, waiting for us to confess all.

Eyebrows raised, I looked at Melissa.

“Who did you talk to?”she asked.