I forced a neutral expression and laid two more bills on the counter. The demon picked up the money, so I snatched the key and strode out the door. I needed a scalding shower and a soak in a tub of hand sanitizer, stat.
I matched the design on the key to the right door and slid it into the lock. The second I stepped inside, Discord appeared in the doorway. I gasped, nearly choking on my own heart as he casually stepped inside and closed the door.
“Where have you been?” I took off my backpack and set it on a table.
“Hiding.” He rubbed his forehead like he had a headache.
“Did you sprint here? It was definitely more than a five-minute walk.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Are you okay?
“Yes.” He squeezed his eyes shut before opening them again and blinking, his vision seeming unfocused.
“Are you sure?” I leaned in, trying to catch his gaze.
“Yes.” He finally looked at me. “The seer’s magic didn’t agree with me, but I’ll recover. Did you have any trouble with the room?”
“Aside from the fact I have no idea how to read ashmarks? No.” I cringed. “Well…”
“Well?” He laid four ashmarks on the dresser and pointed at each. “Ten, twenty, fifty, one hundred. What problem did you encounter?”
The little shit in the lobby overcharged me by fifty ashmarks, but I kept that to myself and held up my arm. “Does everyone in Hell know this mark is yours? Because I’m pretty sure the rhinoceros behind the counter saw it.”
Discord’s brow slammed down over his eyes. “Did he, or didn’t he?”
A knock sounded on the door, followed by the rhino’s gruff voice. “Housekeeping. I got the towels you wanted.”
I clicked my tongue. “Since I didn’t ask for any towels, I’m going with he did.”
19
DISCORD
I retrieved a dagger from my thigh holster, the worn leather handle rough against my fingers as I clutched it. Without another word, Cinder unzipped her pack and brandished a hunting knife. She nodded once and crept toward the door, positioning herself on the hinged side and resting her hand on the knob.
I understood her plan as plainly as if she’d spoken it aloud.
The brontaur Cinder had encountered in the lobby knocked again. Keys jingled near the lock, and I widened my stance. She mouthed the countdown—three, two, one—and flung open the door.
The brontaur snapped his head up. I grabbed his horn and yanked him downward, jabbing my blade into his stomach at the same time. He wheezed and dropped to his knees.
“Did you tell anyone we’re here?” Cinder took his horn and turned his head toward her. The brontaur simply grunted in return.
“Answer her.” I removed my dagger from his gut, and black blood poured from his mouth.
“Please,” he sputtered. “Don’t kill me.”
“Did you tell anyone?” Cinder asked again.
“No. No.” Mucus dripped from his snout.
“Let’s keep it that way.” Cinder plunged her knife into his chest and twisted it. The brontaur wheezed a final breath before his body and blood turned into ashes.
My heart warmed, and I couldn’t fight my smile. “You obliterated him.”
“He was planning to do the same to us, and I have way too many unchecked boxes on my to-do list for that.” She opened a closet door and retrieved a broom. “Do you think he lied about not telling anyone else?”
I stepped to the side as she swept the ashes out the door. “I believe he spoke the truth. Brontaurs are known for their greed. He wouldn’t have risked sharing the bounty.”
“Good. That means I have time for a shower.” She continued sweeping until the floor was as clean as possible in a place like this.
