Chapter 100: Bloodshed.
Her human side was cunning and unapologetic. It had surged forward to shield her. This wasn’t a battle for purity or pride. This was war. And war demanded guile. The Fae blood in her pulsed with dignity and restraint, but her humanity? That part of her knew how to lie, how to scheme, how to win. They saw her as her mother’s mirror, graceful, light-touched, noble. Let them keep believing that. She was different and they all hurt her in every possible way.
"You have my word," He promised.
The Demon God didn’t hesitate. He summoned Kai. And in the blink of an eye, everything shifted. His voice turned cold again, clipped. "I’ve made a deal with your wife. I’ll break your curse. In return, you will bring me the book, and Lutherieth. You’ll hunt down all twelve of his Lords and deliver them to my court."
Kai stood still, stunned. The softness he’d worn moments ago vanished. What kind of deal was this? His throat tightened as he swallowed hard. She had made this arrangement? For him?
His father never made fair trades. He was a god who twisted terms like threads in a snare. And yet... this sounded almost just. Too just. Kai’s heart raced. Did he approve of Ren, as his son’s bride? Would he let the power of Shadow slip his hand?
The Demon God raised his palm to Kai’s chest. A red ribbon of light burst forth, spiraling into the air before scattering like ash on the wind.
"You are allowed to leave. Keep your word," he warned.
Ren nodded. "I appreciate your mercy."
She didn’t add that she had no intention of repaying it because she wouldn’t. She would do it for the sake of her people and Kai, not this god of the underworld.
Today, she realized Aunt Eve had been right all along; humans could be far more demonic when they chose to be. And she’d just received a demon god’s grace simply because he couldn’t read her twisted thoughts. That alone had been telling enough, he had paused and was uncertain, weighing what to do. That was enough for her to find him struggling.
She couldn’t read his mind, and he couldn’t read hers. That made them even.