I tried to pull away, but it was stronger than me. I was sick of the blood, of everything. It let me go and I fell back, sliding down the arch of its barrier, feeling my back tingle. Immediately I looked at my wrist. There were two lines where one had once been. The new one looked as old as the first. “It didn’t hurt this time,” I said, too strung-out to be shocked.

“It wouldn’t have hurt the first time had you not tried to stitch it up. What you felt was the fiber burning away. I’m a demon, not a sadist.”

“Algaliarept!” Piscary shouted as our agreement was sealed.

“Too late,” the grinning demon said, and disappeared.

I fell backward as its barrier vanished from behind me, shrieking as Piscary lunged. Bracing myself against the floor, I brought my legs up into him, flipping him over me. I scrambled for my bag and the vial. My hand dove into my bag, and Piscary jerked me back.

“Witch,” he hissed, gripping my shoulder. “I’ll have what I want. And then you’ll die.”

“Go to hell, Piscary,” I snarled, thumbing the vial open with a soft pop and throwing it into his face.

Crying out, Piscary violently pushed away from me. From the floor, I watched him lurch away, wiping at his face with frantic motions.

Heart in my throat, I waited for him to fall, waited for him to pass out. He did neither.

My gut tightened in fear as Piscary wiped his face, bringing his fingers to his nose. “Kisten,” he said, his disgust melting into a weary disappointment. “Oh, Kisten. Not you?”

I swallowed hard. “It’s harmless, isn’t it.”

He met my eyes. “You don’t think I survived this long by telling my children what can really kill me, do you?”

I had nothing left. For three heartbeats I stared. His lips curved into an eager smile.

I jerked into motion. Piscary casually reached out and grabbed my ankle as I tried to rise. I fell, kicking out, managing to hit his face twice before he pulled me to him and immobilized me under his weight.

The scar on my neck gave a pulse, and fear surged through it, making a nauseating mix.

“No,” Piscary said softly, pinning me to the carpet. “You will be in pain for this.”

His fangs were bared. Saliva dripped from them.

I struggled for air, trying to get out from under him. He shifted, holding my left arm over my head. My right arm was free. Teeth gritted, I went for his eyes.

Piscary jerked back. With a vamp strength, he grasped my right arm and snapped it.

My scream echoed against the high ceilings. My back arched and I gasped for air.

Piscary’s eyes flashed black. “Tell me if Kalamack has a viable sample,” he demanded.