Page 158 of Change

Sloping, high mountains and cliffs jutted out from the distant landscape, and waves of sand and dust surrounded us. It was barren and empty, with no sign of life anywhere.

And it was so,sohot.

Could I even survive in a place like this?

Besides, the boys might let me get away with a lot, but I doubted they would let me uphold my end of this deal—even if I were to make it.

I wanted to help Titus, but could I make such a huge sacrifice?

A vision of him tied and helpless rushed through my thoughts.

Yes. I could do it.

Sure, my companion looked like he might be a bloodthirsty megalomaniac who had no idea how to hold a sword properly and might cut off his own head one day simply by accident, but there were worse things.

Belial had held his left hand out toward me, weapon still held loosely over his right shoulder and eyebrow raised in haughty expectation as he waited for my answer, and my mouth went dry.

He wasn’t even really asking—he already knew what my answer would be.

I swallowed, reaching toward him and tried to ignore the way the corner of his lips curled upwards. “Oka—”

“What are you doing, Belial?” The sand scattered between us, and, suddenly, a familiar tall woman with long midnight hair stood there.

“Kiania.” Belial dropped his hand back to his side and stepped back, eyes narrowing on the shikigami. “How are you…” He sputtered, face turning red for an instant, but then his surprised masked over with annoyance. “This isn’t your concern.”

I was transfixed by the woman—my heart thundering as a sudden rush of relief washed through me, although there was no particular reason why I’d feel this way toward her.

Most times I’d seen her outside of my dreams, she’d been a white tiger, yet she was a woman now. This was only the second time I’d seen her this way.

“I’m making it my concern.” She moved closer to me, robes swaying as she fully blocked the Overseer from view.

Her words were strong and tone firm, but Belial seemed to find them amusing.

“Really, now?” he laughed. “Doesn’t this sound familiar? The tables sure have turned.”

“And who do you think you’re bargaining with?” Kiania ignored Belial’s taunting, and I shivered despite the heat. “You cannot claim a dragon’s mate.”

I’d curled forward, face to my knees, and my pulse echoed in my ears. I wanted to speak, but the fire I’d been trying to suppress was spreading over my skin, and I could only clench my teeth against the pain.

But it didn’t stop my racing thoughts. Could she hear me now, in this place? Because I really wanted to know…

Was shestupid?

Belial clearly hated Damen, and probably the others. Why would she hand him this ace?

“Mate?” Belial barked out a laugh. “Now it makes sense—yet another ‘prophecy’.” He’d pushed Kiania, and the woman stumbled on her feet as the Overseer pointed his sword in my direction. “Still appealing to humanity’s interest in divination, I see. As usual, you’re up to no good.”

Me? Up to no good? My palms sweat in the heat as I stared at the edge of the blade.

I hadn’t done a single thing.

“I’ll set your dragon free,” he said.

What?

He was grinning madly, eyes shining in barely restrained excitement. “The fact thatyou’reJin’smatehas to be eating Huo up inside. He’s so insanely jealous and arrogant. I can’t wait to witness his unraveling. It’s going to be glorious.”

Why would me being with Titus bother Damen? That made no sense, the whole sharing thing washis idea.

Yet…

I’d been growing rather suspicious of that same thing as of late.

Kiania rubbed her arm, frowning at the demon, and his grin faltered as his attention moved somewhere over my shoulder.

“Time for you to go,” he said quickly, mood diminishing. “I’ll collect on your end of the bargain later.”

“But—” The man was delusional. We never technically bargained on anything—Kiania had interrupted the deal.

Before I could finish my statement, I was jerked out of the scene. Pain pulled at my scalp, and this time, when my mouth opened in a scream, nothing escaped besides a strangled sound.