Demon Storm: Belador book 5 Read Free Page B

things have changed. If you force me to end this, I will and you won’t like it.”
    Releasing a hiss of air sizzling with irritation, she said, “You will not kill me.”
    “Let’s add schizo to psychopathic.”  Storm took a step toward her.
    Nadina raised a hand in defense. On a human woman, that would be a weak obstacle, but Nadina controlled a wicked amount of power she could wield with one finger. “If you kill me, we both lose. I need you to help me pay off a debt.” 
    “You what?”  That was ... hell, he had no words for how she could possibly think he’d help her do anything. He studied her long enough that she started to fidget. “What happened to you Nadina? Did all that power cook your brain?” 
    “This is not a joke.”
    Crossing his arms, he shook his head. “I am not doing anything for you except sparing your life if you give me what I want right now. The offer is good for this minute. No more.”
    “You are not listening, my black demon.”
    Storm speared her with all the hatred in his heart. “I don’t know what delusional world you live in, but I have never been anything of yours except the mistake you birthed. If I could wipe any trace of you from my blood, I would. You’re wasting the one chance to save your life, because when I’m out of patience, one of us is not walking out of here alive.”
    “You are the delusional one if you think to kill me.”
    He snorted. “And why is that?”
    “If I do not return to Hanhau, everyone will bear the brunt of his displeasure, including your Evalle.”
    Storm’s blood chilled. “What are you talking about?”
    “Hanhau. We have an arrangement.”
    “Yeah, yeah. I haven’t forgotten your boast back at my house that you’re now aligned with him. Why should that matter to me?”
    “Because your father’s soul and yours are no longer mine to return to you. Not while Hanhau is my master. If I do not deliver what he demands, he will order me to call Evalle to him.”
    Storm’s voice rose with each word. “You made a pact with a demon ruler for what? That plastic beauty of yours? Are you crazy?”  He grabbed his head. “What am I saying? Of course, you’re insane.” 
    Her perfect face distorted, twisting with fury. “Do not call me loco. I had no choice. I did not need him for this.” She pointed at her face. “I learned the secrets of maintaining my youth before I grew breasts. A Macumba witch captured me to trade to Hanhau for demons.”
    Macumba was the Brazilian practice of Candomble, basically Voodoo, Latin style.
    If not for how this would complicate his life, Storm would be chuckling over the irony of Nadina getting to experience being possessed by someone stronger. But right now all Storm cared about was how to terminate any threat to Evalle and regain two souls.
    Couldn’t Evalle get a break without everyone making her a target?
    Storm’s empathic senses would catch a lie the second it left someone’s lips and nothing Nadina said so far had lit up his bullshit meter. He’d received that gift through his Navajo genetics. But along with the ability to determine if someone was lying to him, Storm suffered a painful backlash if he tried to lie.
    If Nadina were any other witch doctor than one he shared blood with, he wouldn’t have the shadow of doubt hovering over his thoughts. She’d managed to successfully twist the truth when he was younger, but his majik and powers had matured since then.
    He powered up his empathic perception and pressed her. “I want straight answers. No playing with words, Nadina.”  When she inclined her head in reply, he continued. “A Macumba witch captured you, yes or no?”
    “Yes.”
    “Then the witch traded you to Hanhau for how many demons?”
    “Three.”
    Truth, so far. “So Hanhau now holds full control over you and all you possess, yes or no?”
    “Yes.”
    No sizzle on his skin to warn him of a lie. By all that was holy, was he actually considering doing this? “If I help