Page 37 of A Vow of Shadows

“No, I just… I thought our vow was more binding than that. Does that mean you can walk away at any time as well?”

“I vowed to keep you from Death until a year has passed or you leave of your own free will. In exchange, you swore to provide the agreed upon payment for fulfillment of my duties at the end of the term. No more. No less. You are the only one that can end it.”

My eyes unfocused as I chewed my lip. In the aftermath of our trek through the manor, I’d grown quite warm again. Using my hand as a fan, I hoped to find some relief, but I only grew more flushed.

“Has it gotten warmer in here?” I asked.

The Ferrier whipped his head to me, eyes wide. “Hide her.”

Inky and Storm sprung from their place along the wall and scooped me into their cool embrace. They were surprisingly solid as they pressed me into a corner. Stretching in all directions, they formed a wall between me and the Ferrier. I opened my mouth to protest, but a cold touch against my lips told me I should remain quiet.

I bucked against their hold, and the shadows shifted, a small transparent opening appearing at eye level. It was still shaded, but through it I could see the Ferrier pacing. He stopped as if sensing my eyes on him.

In a flash, a blazing inferno sprang to life in the center of the room. A searing blast of heat penetrated my wall of shadow, and I turned my face away. The fire was gone as quickly as it ignited. In its place stood a man.

No, a demon.

He faced away from me but stood tall, shoulders thrown back and head held high. Even without the circlet on his head, he radiated haughty grace. Gold trimmed the edges of his deep blue jacket, cut to emphasize the strength of the physique beneath. The hands clasped behind his back boasted several gold and gemstone rings which glinted in the candlelight. The only thingsout of place amidst his highbred finery were the jagged patterns of ink covering his shaved head.

All of this I observed in an instant before my attention was drawn away by the Ferrier. In one fluid motion, he swept his robe aside and knelt before the newcomer, head bowed in deference.

“Behryn,” he growled. “To what do I owe the pleasure of Your Majesty’s company?” His sardonic tone belied the sight of the loyal subject still genuflecting before the demon.

“You disappoint me, Evander.”

I gasped at the use of the Ferrier’s given name, unwittingly catching Death’s ear. As his head turned to track the sound, the shadows closed off my viewing window. Encased in darkness, I held my breath.

“Excellent,” said the Ferrier—Evander.

I clung to his name, to the normalcy of it, as the shadows parted to allow me sight once more.

Without being given the order to rise, the Ferrier stood to his full height. “I would hate to have done something to make you proud.” His eyes met mine over Behryn’s head, conveying several things in one pointed look.

First, I needed to stay quiet. Second, he was as surprised by this visit as I. And finally, perhaps unbeknownst to him, Evander was just as terrified as I was.

I nodded, not knowing if he could see me through the darkness.

“You forget yourself.” The King bristled, fists clenched at his sides. “I am the one who holds your indenture. I am your master. It is tomeyou’ve sworn fealty.”

Evander winced, but his voice remained calm. “As you like to remind me.”

Behryn growled, the sound as inhuman as that of a wild animal. It may as well have been a bear between Evander and I,though I’d have rather faced my chances with a bear. The hair on my arms rose at the perceived threat, and I retreated as far as I could into the wall behind me.

“There is the matter of this month’s pay.” Death prowled forward, tucking his hands into his pockets.

Evander rocked back, forehead creased as he looked anywhere but at Death.

“I’ll save you the trouble of counting,” said the King. “You’re two days late on your last payment. I hate to add a penalty to your already staggering debt, but neither can I abide such blatant disrespect.”

“Respect is earned.”

The two men leaned into one another until less than a handbreadth remained between them. Muscles bulged on the side of Evander’s neck, while Death appeared calm and relaxed, the easy victor in a rigged fight.

I didn’t know how Evander managed to keep from tearing into the King, but there was more to their working relationship than I’d ever imagined. Perhaps his contract prevented him from harming Behryn. If so, I may have overestimated the protection he could offer me.

Death spun, and I had a split second to see dark eyes in a pale face before the shadows closed over me.

“Interesting.”