The Price of Exorcism by Dakota Brown (sneezy the snowman read aloud .txt) 📗

"Well, use it wisely. It's not every day a demonprince hands the keys to his kingdom over to a mortal."

Ezra's eyes widened, but he didn't look panicked, justsurprised. I sensed a hint of resignation from him, but that was about it.

I turned to face Lucifer. "I…uh, don't reallywant his kingdom, just Sabian."

"Ahh, yes, the incubus. Well, I suggest you goclaim him. An interesting thing about the binding Ezra has put on you, I'm nearlyhonor bound to let you into my domain, at least so you can access his. I coulddissolve the mark so that I don't have to."

I twitched, not at all sure I liked the sound of thatdespite not having wanted to be bound in the first place.

"But I don't think I will. Both you and PrinceEzra are unhappy at the idea." His eyes twinkled with mischief. "Andit will be good for Ezra, I think. On a more serious note, I too am opposed tothe current power struggle and bid for war and I suspect you'll need access tomy realm again. Therefore, I grant it. A token can be removed, so I'll give yousomething a bit more permanent."

My fingers twitched with a desire to grab on to someholy water, or my knife. Both of which were inconveniently out of reach.Actually, they weren't, but I didn't have enough practice summoning things forthat to be practical. Also, I didn't want to stab the ruler of hell withoutbeing damn sure I could get away with it. Right now, I wasn't.

His grin was positively evil, and panty melting, had Inot been terrified about what I thought he was going to do. I could stop it,maybe, but I wanted Sabian back.

The demon lord studied me, still smiling. "You'regoing to let me do it, aren't you?"

"I want my incubus back. Guess that's the price?"

He nodded. "You get more out of it than yourealize. Permanent access to my domain. Complete protection from possession.This one is visible, however."

I sighed and nodded. "Don't fuck up my ink."

"Very well." He studied my chest as if hecould see my tattoos through my clothing. "You should tie your personalwards into Ezra's power instead of your own," he suggested as his eyesroamed over me.

I glanced at Ezra, who nodded, eyes wide.

"Sure, I'll do that."

"See that you do. Ahh, you've left me a littleopen canvas to work with." He stepped into my space and pressed his palmto my chest, between my breasts. Heat and pain flared out from where he touchedme, my shirt no protection from his power, and my personal wards failed toactivate. Either he'd done something to them, or my acceptance of his actionshad negated the shielding they normally provided.

I gasped, not able to stop myself from clutching hiswrist. His eyes glowed with red light, and he grabbed my arm with his free handas my legs went to jelly. The pain wasn't terrible, it was simply as if anentire tattoo session worth of discomfort was narrowed down into a few momentsof time, and there was no erotic touch to distract me from it, like when Ezrahit me with his power. Fortunately. I wasn't sure I could handle that mentally.Being hot on Ezra was one thing...Lusting after this guy was something elseentirely.

"There," he said after an indeterminantamount of time.

Ezra, in a possessive move that surprised meconsidering who had just marked me, came over and put his arm around me. Icollapsed back against him while I recovered.

"Great, thanks," I gasped out. "Doesthis mark automatically tell me where the gates to hell are, too?"

"Ezra can give you that information. You are aprivileged guest. Don't abuse my hospitality."

"Do my best." I had no idea what abusing hisgood graces would entail, but hopefully I wouldn't find out.

He nodded.

"You mentioned you could dissolve Ezra's binding.I thought they were permanent." I had to know the limitations now that Iwas aware of them. I didn't want to accidently screw it up.

"As I'm the lord and master of all that happensin hell, I can dissolve any other demons' marks and bindings should I choose. I'mthe only one with that power. Mine can be undone should I choose it. Again, I'mthe only one with that ability," he answered.

"Great. Thanks." I shivered and Ezratightened his grip on me. Mayhem hadn't objected to any of this, and I hopedthat meant I wasn't really screwed. "Who can sense the marks?"

"Mine is visible. A properly educated occultist willknow what it means. Well, to some degree. I doubt many would know the fullextent of the mark's meaning. A demon will sense it, of course. Angels might.That's about it. Now we'll see if Ezra can keep a hold of you."

"What?" I narrowed my eyes.

"I have many things I need to see to tonight. Goget your incubus. Stir things up a little down there. Ezra, do let me know ifyou find out any more to this plot. It concerns me on more than one level."He didn't answer my question, but I got the sense that I could get the answerfrom Ezra, so I let it go.

"Yes, my liege." He bowed his head.

Lucifer–had to be him–studied me for a moment as ifwaiting for something. If he expected me to bow, that was his problem. I'd lethim mark me, but I wasn't offering him any sign of allegiance. No fucking way.I supposed one day I'd have to confront these choices, but hopefully it wouldbe many years before that was a problem. First…prevent the apocalypse. Well,after I rescued Sabian.

The demon ruler turned his back on us, and Ezragrabbed my arm and practically dragged me down the hallway further into theclub. We were through a couple of doors and heading down a staircase before he tooka breath. Finally, at the bottom, before he opened the steel door in front ofus, he leaned back against the wall and sagged a bit.

"You okay?"

He shook his head before shrugging. "I should beasking you."

"Eh, it is what it is. I guess."

Ezra laughed. "You do realize who that was,right?"

"Yep."

"And you're likely the first mortal in centuriesto bear his mark."

"Yeah, yippie for me." I shuddered.

Ezra arched an