Page 142 of His Retribution

"Because you have the wisdom of your parents before you."

"Are you going to answer any of my questions or do I need to do this the hard way?"

She will do this no way if I have any say.

Which I apparently do not when my angel's eyes shoot to mine and narrow, the glow so intense I have to squint.

"You five are lucky I'm letting you stay in the room while I do this, don't make me regret it."

I glare right back at my love. We will most definitely be discussing this reckless behavior later, and I will no doubt punish her for her blatant defiance when it comes to her safety.

Something I can tell my light is betting on by the smile that pulls at her lips and the way her scent flares ever so slightly.

Then it's back to business.

"How did you get onto our property undetected?"

Maybe Joyce regains that Cheshire grin in full. "I cannot reveal all my secrets to you, my queen, there would be no mystery left."

"Then tell me your name."

"You know I cannot."

Cora smirks. "I know youwillnot, but you are perfectly capable of telling me, if you choose to."

"Ah, a creature after my own heart." I swear Maybe Joyce's eyes soften but it quickly fades. "Cunning little queen."

"Tell me your name."

"What do I get in return?"

"You get to avoid the excruciating amounts of pain an involuntary extraction would cause."

Maybe Joyce narrows her eyes, grips the bars tight and leans forward. "You would not dare."

And my light just crosses her arms against her chest and arches a brow.

They have a stand-off for a few minutes, the two of them just staring at each other and I'm ready to crawl out of my goddamn skin.

I can't take this.

Obviously my angel knows more than she is letting on, knows what and who this creature is to an extent but something about their exchange is familiar, familiar like she has interacted with it before.

And I don't fucking like it.

"Tell me your name."

"I. Can. Not."

"Then I'll have to do it for you."

My Cora rolls her neck, closes her eyes and loosens her shoulders before popping her knuckles like she's about to enter into the ring with a prize fighter. Then she plants her feet shoulder width apart, straightens her posture and flexes her fingers.

"Give me your name, demon, or I will take it from you.”

Oh no.

Oh gods no.