He was absolutely bathed in blood. It coated his pale skin and stained his luminous hair, and it was smeared all around his mouth and down his front like he had gorged upon it.
She grimaced at the sight, but Murmur just looked bored. “What took so long?”
“You were supposed to keep Paimon away, not enjoy a blood buffet!” Iris snapped.
He ignored her and looked at Mist. “Ah, here he is. The gorath killer in the flesh.”
Mist grunted.
Murmur pulled out his rag and wiped his sword, but the cloth was already blood-soaked and didn’t do much good. He gave up, pocketed it, and propped a shoulder against the wall as if he had all the time in the world. In the distance, another explosion sounded, followed by tortured screams.
“You’ve earned yourself quite the reputation. Word has spread about your triumph like wildfire. Is it true you killed the biggest one?”
Mist said nothing.
“No one wants to mess with you now. The gargoyles speak of you with something akin to hero worship.” Murmur smiled sardonically, and the shadows at his feet churned with increased agitation. “If I didn’t know better, I might think I have competition for the lair.”
“It’s yours,” Mist growled. “I don’t want it.”
“Now, how can I believe that if you won’t even bargain for it? Word on the street is that after he killed her monsters, the great Mishetsumephtai planned to return to defeat his mistress and claim her territory for himself. You can see how I might find that… threatening, given our situation.”
Lily’s stomach flipped. Was he going to turn on them? Try to prevent them from leaving?
“I don’t want the lair.”
“Your word alone means nothing.”
“Fine,” Mist snarled. “Vow you will let us reach the hellgate unscathed and will not try to track us on Earth, and I will vow not to challenge you for the territory.”
Murmur smiled. “I accept your terms, Hunter.” Sheathing his bloody sword, he slashed his palm open with a claw and held it aloft. “On my own blood, I vow it.”
Mist repeated the words, though he was so bloody already there was no need to cut himself.
“Then this is where our arrangement ends,” Murmur said. “You’re free to go. I hope for your sake we never meet again.”
“As do I.”
With a dip of his chin, he melted back into the hidden passage and was gone.
“That bloke gives me the creeps,” Iris muttered.
“Never trust the Necromancer,” Mist said. “Despite his vow, I don’t believe he won’t try to follow us.”
“Let’s go then!” Lily didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“If I take mist form, I can move faster.”
“How will we know where to go?”
“I’ll guide you.” He bent his head to meet her gaze. “I won’t leave you again.”
“I believe you.”
“I was wrong.”
She squeezed his arm still draped over her shoulder. “We can talk once we’re home.”
He nodded, and then before her eyes, dissolved into mist.
