Page 157 of Change

Work…

My thoughts remained blank and befuddled for a moment, as the hot ache in my bones began to grow stronger.

The winds shifted, and dirt and sand lifted into the air around us.

My nose wrinkled at the taste of dirt, and I wiped at my eyes. Then froze—

Dirt.

Memories poured into me. The earthen dungeon where Ada, Gloria, and I had been held. Titus imprisoned and chained. The hand-written spells by the onmyojis and witches, and the scrying mirrors placed strategically around the room.

“You!” I stepped back, hands pressed to my chest, as I gasped at the demon. I pointed at him. “You’re working with them! It’s your fault Titus can’t break free! Let him go.”

“The dragon?” Belial lifted a thick brow curiously. “I can’t do that. I’m only upholding my end of a bargain.”

“Let him go!” I demanded again. Even though my heart was racing furiously, this was no time to be afraid. I hadknownthat Titus was stronger than this. No one could defeat him. Except of course, maybe Damen—least that’s what they said.

Of course, theonlyway that some pathetic onmyoji could gain the upper hand over Titus was with some underhanded tricks, and by boosting their own strength by using me.

It was one thing to be clever and to gain an advantage using your own skills, cunning, and resources, but this was flat out cheating.

“How could you help them?” I continued, ignoring the warning that rang at the back of my head. I’d grown rather used to Mu’s silent presence, sometimes giving me confidence when I had none, but for now, he was quiet.

Belial worked for Damen, right? I didn’t know what their roles were entirely, or much about onmyoji in general, but how did he think he’d get away with this.

“Damen is going to be angry when he finds out!” I warned.

Belial’s light expression darkened in a blink, and he was over me, hand outstretched as I fell to the ground holding my cheek. The pain stung through me an instant later, and I held my face, staring up at him.

“It’s too late for me to care what Huo thinks.” Belial turned his nose up at me. “I’ve never asked for much, and I’ve been a loyal servant. He’s had every opportunity to give me what I want, and, every lifetime, he squanders it.”

He attacked me. I’d have thought that with him working for Damen, and all that, I’d be fine…

A tentative foreboding began to fill me. “W-what is it you want?” I asked, my voice breathy as my breathing quickened to short bursts.

The dark-haired man pursed his lips, glancing me over once more. This time, I did begin to feel uneasy.

“I have an idea,” he said finally. “The humans only give me a slight advantage in my overall plans. I’ll break my bargain with them, but in return,wework out a deal.”

My breath caught. What was it with demonic creatures trying to barter with me?

I was almost hesitant to ask. “What kind of deal?”

He grinned again, flashing his sharp teeth in the process—a stark reminder that he was very muchnothuman.

“First, tell me honestly,” he continued, that same unsettling smile on his face, “how long do you think you could survive down here in purgatory?”

The unexpected question caught me off guard. “Wh-what?”

“Usually, your little fae ass would be burnt to a crisp by now. It’s always been too much for you.” His mouth twisted in distain. “So how are you doing it?”

“Um…” How was I supposed to respond? I mean, logically thinking, this probably had something to do with my bond with Kiania. But I probably shouldn’t tell him that.

Somehow that seemed something best kept secret.

“It doesn’t matter,” he droned on, ignoring the fact that I hadn’t answered him. “How about it, want to stay with me?” His eyes seemed to glisten against his pale skin, which, silhouetted against the darkening crimson sky, made him even more imposing.

“S-stay?” He couldn’t be serious? “Here?” I asked, looking around.