My heart pounded. Bis was learning how to line jump. And with Lucy safe with me, there was only Trent’s life in the balance. He clearly was ready to sacrifice it. The question was, did I trust him enough to give him a chance to kill Ku’Sox? I needed help with my plan, and Quen and Al were still out of commission. I didn’t know who to ask.

“Throw in a trip home for Lucy and me, and you have a deal,” I whispered, and Ku’Sox clapped his hands, springing to his feet to make me drop back several steps, awkward from Lucy’s weight. “But you will stay out of my church and the environs. Swear to it, Ku’Sox.”

“Capital! I agree! I swear!” Ku’Sox said, looking amused, but seeing a black haze blossom on his hand, I bubbled us. Lucy and I weren’t his target, however.

I spun as Trent hit the floor, choking as he grasped his throat. “Hey!” I shouted, backing up with Lucy, the little girl frightened and growing heavy. “You kill him, and all your demon babies are going to die!”

Ku’Sox strode over, and I backed up, breaking my circle. “That is my foot you feel across your neck,” the demon said, leaning over Trent as he gasped. “Serve me without elven trickery, or it will crush your throat, and then I will move on to your children, your family, and everything you hold dear. Do you understand?”

Sprawled, Trent nodded, hatred burning in his eyes, his hand splayed out to show the missing digits that Al had taken from him. “If you harm them, nothing will save you,” he rasped, and Ku’Sox straightened his kimono with a soft hush.

“Good,” he said, looking down at him. “You have spirit. I’ll enjoy it after the ever-after no longer occupies me.” Making a sudden puff of distaste, Ku’Sox reached down, yanking Trent’s pinkie ring off. My eyes widened when he made a fist, opening it to let a shapeless mass of black char ping dully on the tile floor. He’d melted it. Two in a row. “Get up.”

His attention shifted to me, and I held Lucy closer, turning her so she couldn’t see her dad pick himself up off the floor. My feet moved uneasily. I still needed to get home.

“My freedom?”