“Perhaps we can make a deal,” said Nyxobas, his voice icy.

Ursula’s gaze raised just high enough to catch Emerazel’s ashy smile. “Oh, I think not. I can tell Bael has a powerful soul.”

Nyxobas’s cold gaze flicked to his son. “Get the Headsman.” Without a word Abrax disappeared into the hall. A few moments later, he returned, dragging Kester’s body over the floor.

“What have you done to Kester?” said Emerazel. The room grew hotter, like the inside of a volcano.

Please make it stop.

“I took his soul,” said Abrax. “He wasn’t very careful.”

Heat rolled off Emerazel in waves. Even Nyxobas seemed to be affected, wiping a line of sweat from his brow.

“Fine. A soul for a soul,” said Emerazel at last.

Abrax lowered Kester to the ground. For a moment the incubus looked at Ursula, his expression burning with pure hatred, then he knelt. With an unnatural jerk, his back arched and a golden light unspooled from his mouth, curling into Kester’s. As the last of Kester’s soul passed from between Abrax’s lips, the incubus fixed his eyes on her. They were black as pitch, his expression almost feral. There was no doubt in her mind that he desperately wanted to kill her.

Even from where she stood, Ursula could see the color begin to return to Kester’s face. His eyelids twitched, and he moaned softly.

She cleared her throat. “What about Zee and Hugo’s souls?”

Abrax stared at her, disbelieving. “Those were fairly acquired.”

“Hugo agreed to give me his soul.” Emerazel’s voice sizzled through the room like water on hot iron.

“What will you give me in exchange?” asked Nyxobas.

“What do you want?”

The god of darkness looked at Ursula, a small smile on his lips. Dread tightened Ursula’s chest.

“Her?”

“Yes.”

Emerazel frowned, considering. Ursula wanted to scream. This couldn’t be happening. Just one peek at the void of shadows had been terrifying. Now she might be sent there permanently.

Nyxobas, sensing Emerazel’s reluctance, added, “I don’t need her entirely. Just a portion of her soul would suffice.”

“I’ll share Ursula with you. You’ll get her skills for half of each year.”

Nyxobas grinned. “This is acceptable to me.”

“Wait,” Ursula sputtered. Emerazel’s eyes blazed, and Ursula could feel the goddess begin to control her. There would be no arguing her fate, but maybe she could save another.

“Are you returning Zee’s soul too?”

The night god’s smile widened. “Whatever you want, my little hound.”

Ursula wasn’t sure if she wanted to drop to her knees with relief or run screaming through the halls, but at least everyone was going to live.

On the floor, Kester moaned again, and Ursula rushed to him, putting her hand on his chest. His green eyes fluttered open.

“Ursula?” he whispered.