Page 14 of Wreaking Havoc
“Do you?” Kai asked softly, his gaze narrowed in on that pink mouth. “When was the last time you used it?”
“You don’t use it. It justis.” Sascha let up his nibbling and threw his hands in the air. He seemed to waver strangely between hesitation and boldness. It was rather entrancing, in a dizzying way. “I haven’t had enough coffee for a theological debate.”
Kai straightened abruptly. “Coffee? You have coffee here?” He craned his neck, trying to find evidence of the brew. He’d had it just the once, an offering from one of his last bargains, and he’d longed for the taste ever since.
“Not here in the house. I’m a civilized man.” Sascha crossed his arms with a sniff. “I have other people make it for me.”
“Your servants have it, then?” Kai continued to search the room with his gaze, as if maybe one would appear, steaming mug in hand.
“What servants?” Sascha shook his head like he was clearing it of cobwebs. “Stop changing the subject. Okay, so a piece of my soul—which I willnotmiss, according to you—and you take care of my enemies?”
Kai nodded, anticipation zipping down his spine. They were getting somewhere now. “If that’s what you wish.”
“That’s what I wish.”
“Perfect. I, Kaisyir of the Demon Realm, will vanquish Sascha—” He paused, looking to the human. “What’s your clan name, pup?”
“My clan name? Oh. Um, Kozlov.”
“I will vanquish Sascha Kozlov’s enemies to his satisfaction, in exchange for one piece of his immortal soul.”
“Oh God,” Sascha moaned. “Okay.” Then he straightened, seeming to steel himself, and met Kai’s eyes. Perhaps he wasn’t completely soft, this human.
Kai grinned at him, his smile only widening when Sascha’s gaze caught on his sharp teeth. “And now we seal the bargain.”
“How?”
“The same way you called me. Blood.”
Sascha began shaking his head furiously, stepping back. “Oh no. Nuh-uh. No way. I don’t do blood.”
“It’s only a few drops,” Kai argued, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. He was so close, damn it.
But Sascha kept up his furious shaking. “I can’t. Not on purpose. I can’t—can’t look at it.”
“Then I’ll help you,” Kai soothed, unwilling to lose this chance. “You may look away.”
Sascha halted his retreat. “How?”
Kai beckoned him closer. “Place your hand into the circle.”
“It won’t stop me?” Sascha asked, cocking his head.
“No part of me may leave it, but any part of you may enter. Give me your hand, pup.”
Sascha’s limb trembled, but he did as Kai asked. He had a remarkably slender wrist and delicate fingers. Kai took hold.
The human gasped. “You’re warm.”
“Always.” Kai kept his voice soft and low, as much as he was able. “Look away now.”
Sascha turned his head, and Kai brought Sascha’s index finger to his lips. “Deep breath,” he instructed. Sascha obeyed, inhaling and holding it.
Kai bit down, ever so gentle, slicing the tip of Sascha’s finger with one of his teeth. Copper dripped into his mouth and—unable to resist—he sucked gently, just for a moment.
Delicious.
Sascha made a strangled sound, head still turned away, and Kai released his finger from his mouth, allowing a few drops to fall onto the summoning circle.
