She closed her mouth with a snap, a little shocked by her own confession. Yes, she’d known she valued Raum’s safety above the book, but she wouldn’t have gone so far as to say she didn’t want to find it at all.
Wasn’t her reascension her top priority? Wasn’t that her ultimate goal?I don’t know what I want anymore.
Raum looked surprised too. They stared at each other for a moment in silence. There was so much she suddenly wanted to communicate, but none of it seemed to translate easily into words.
“Please, Raum,” she whispered into the heavy silence. “Agree to break the contract so I can prove to your brothers that I’m not coercing you.”
He stared at her.
“Please?”
His eyes softened and blew out a breath. “Fine. I agree. It’s done.”
The binding fell away, the magic needing nothing more than verbal consent—free from manipulation and duress, just as they’d agreed.
“Swear the vow now,” Belial interjected in a low voice. The threat was clear.
Nodding, she lifted the knife to her palm and prepared to draw the blade across her flesh. But Raum caught her wrist suddenly, forcing her hands apart. “Don’t even think about it.”
He yanked the knife from her grip and tossed it. The blade sank into the drywall across the room with a thunk.
She blinked. “How else can I prove to your family that I won’t harm them?”
“I don’t give a fuck. You will not bind yourself with a permanent, unbreakable vow.”
“She will if she wants to live.” Belial’s voice was ominous.
“Are you willing to swear the same vow in reverse?” Raum challenged him. “To swear you won’t lift a finger against her, no matter what happens, for the rest of eternity?”
Bel’s jaw shifted. His glare was murderous.
“That’s what I thought.” Raum gripped Sunshine’s arm. “We’re leaving.”
“Like fuck you are.”
“Until you’re willing to offer her the same protection she’s offering you, she’s not swearing shit.”
Sunshine protested, “Raum—”
“Here is the key to the manacle.”
To her vast surprise, Mist stepped forward and held out a small metal key.
“Mishetsu,” Bel rumbled in warning.
Raum took it quickly, and Sunshine held up her arm for him to unlock the cuff. She wasn’t going to argue that—every second her powers were bound was excruciating. She didn’t dare look at Belial, but she couldfeelthe fury pouring off him.
She offered a smile to Mist. “Thank you.”
“Don’t make me regret it.”
“I won’t.”
“She’s not going anywhere.” Belial’s voice was a menacing boom. Despite the threat, however, he made no move to stop her.
The cuff fell away from her arm, and Sunshine took it from Raum, key still in the lock, and set it down at her feet. She kicked it across the floor toward Belial, who still hadn’t moved. She didn’t dare go any closer to him.
“Use this if I ever pose a real threat to your family. Mist has already proven he can trap me.”
