Blood Magic (After Dark Book 7) by Sarah Bailey (ereader for android txt) 📗

expected to see, but I had to come.”

Candace didn’t speak for a long moment, eying Dani steadily.

“I suppose you should come with me.”

She walked out of the room without checking if they were following. Jamie hauled himself up from his seat, took Dani’s hand and the two of them left the room, with Dani waving at Mall. They walked with Candace into a large living area. She indicated they could sit down on one of the two large leather sofas. Candace sat across from them, her violet eyes flashing with resignation.

“How is your prick of a brother?” she asked.

Dani stifled a smile.

“Still the same old Theo. For what it’s worth, I’m glad things didn’t work out. You deserve better than him.”

Candace smiled.

“What can I do for you? I imagine you didn’t come here for small talk. How did you get here anyway?”

Dani looked at Jamie.

“Um… Alistair helped me.”

Candace shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“That explains everything. Right, what shit is happening up on Earth? Because I assume something has gone tits up.”

Dani sighed before settling down to explain the events of the past few months since Candace had left. How her father took the throne, the unrest in the community and last of all, how Questor had tried to kill her. Candace listened intently, her expression growing grimmer by the minute.

“I thought he wanted the throne to go to you, but he wants it for himself. I’m concerned he will stop at nothing to go to war with my father. War for the fae would be disastrous.”

Candace sat back, looking down at her hands.

“You want me to formally renounce the throne.”

“I hope you will, but I understand if you won’t. I know the fae have not treated you kindly.”

Before Candace had a chance to respond, the door behind them slammed back on its hinges. Dani looked back, finding herself completely in awe by the man striding towards them. He really looked like darkness personified.

Lucifer.

She reached for Jamie’s hand, holding it tightly in hers. The very sight of the Devil both intrigued and terrified her at the same time. Candace stood up, walked around the sofa and stopped him in his tracks.

“Don’t,” she said. “It’s okay. I know Dani.”

His dark eyes flashed. Dani edged closer to Jamie, who’s silver eyes were intent on Lucifer.

“How did they get in here?”

“They may have used our portal. It doesn’t matter how they got here. What matters is I need to return to Earth.”

Lucifer looked over at Dani and Jamie with narrowed eyes.

“Why?”

“To go deal with the mess I left up there.” She reached up, cupping his face. “Dani came to tell me war will break out if I don’t go.”

There was silence for a long moment.

“I never imagined I’d meet the Devil,” Jamie whispered to Dani.

“All sorts of weird shit has happened to us in the past few months,” she whispered back.

He nodded. Dani didn’t think her life could get more bizarre.

Lucifer calmly pressed Candace to the side and walked over to them. He looked over Dani and Jamie for a moment.

“You, I understand.” He pointed at Dani before turning to Jamie. “But you… You made a deal with a demon, no?”

Jamie’s grip on Dani’s hand became unbearable as the words fell out of Lucifer’s mouth.

“Jamie… that hurts,” she said, trying to pull her hand out of his.

He let go abruptly, giving her an apologetic look. Dani wondered for a moment how Lucifer would know about Jamie’s association with a demon, then she remembered he was the Devil.

“Yes,” Jamie said. “A long time ago, but it still stands.”

Lucifer gave him the once over.

“What were the terms?”

Jamie looked at his hands.

“An eternity of service in exchange for the power to break the bond between sire and child.”

Lucifer’s fists clenched at his sides. Dani looked at Jamie. Why would he want to break the bond between him and his maker? Something niggled at her. Jamie said he’d only taken a life once. Could this be a part of that?

“The term of service is always ten years,” Lucifer said, his dark eyes glowing with fury. “Who is the demon you contracted with?”

“Her name is Selene. She is somewhat obsessed with me. I didn’t come here for that, though. I’m here because of Dani.”

The Devil looked over at Candace.

“Whilst you are there, you can deal with this little problem too. Be sure to send Selene my personal regards.”

“What do you want me to do with her?” Candace asked.

Lucifer smiled.

“As her queen, you can do what you wish, but she cannot continue to flout Hell’s rules without punishment.”

Candace nodded, looking at Dani and Jamie.

“Shall we return to Earth?”

Chapter Twenty Two

The three of them stepped back out of the portal into Hyde Park. It was still night, which put Dani’s mind at ease. At least they hadn’t been gone long. They had a lot to accomplish before the sun rose.

“So, who do we pay a visit to first?” Candace asked.

Dani looked at Jamie who shrugged.

That’s super helpful!

She looked up at the sky if that held the answers. Why did it have to be separate? Couldn’t they kill two birds with one stone? As soon as the thought entered her head, she knew exactly what they needed to do.

The shrill sound of a phone ringing startled the three of them. Jamie pulled out his phone.

“Fuck, it’s Gav.”

“Let me speak to him,” Dani said.

Jamie gave her a sceptical look. She put her hand out and he gave her his phone.

“Jamie, where the fuck are you?” Gavin shouted down the phone.

“Hello, Gavin.”

There was silence