The smaller demon (Jareth) finally had enough, and with a wave of his hand sent his black mist around my head. I held my breath, but Yex grabbed my nose and pinched. My mouth was forced open and I breathed in, the world turning upside down. I threw my arms out, disoriented and confused.

Yex laughed and yanked on my chains. “Be a good girl and I might even let you enjoy it.”

Thad bristled, his body twitching with anger. It was tempting to kick Yex so he’d never enjoy it ever again, but a warning look from Thad stopped me. He looked down at his nails, frowning. I wasn’t sure who I was angrier at; the demons taking me, or him for refusing to do anything to help me.

“I’m sure with the proper environment, she’ll be singing for you in no time,” Thad snarked.

My eyes went wide, even as the other demons chuckled, not catching the hidden message. If Thad alone controlled the collar, that meant no one could stop my voice magicks if he didn’t bother to do it himself. I held Thad’s gaze to show him I understood, then allowed them to hustle me out of the room. They frog-marched me up a flight of steps, and I waited until we were alone, away from any other guards or demons. Then I started humming.

They jerked at the sound, glaring at me for making any noise. Their pace slowed. Then I opened my mouth further, letting my voice softly escape. They went still, eyes gazing ahead unseeing as I wove a tantalizing, sultry melody that promised everything and nothing. I paused, and they continued to waver in front of me, still caught in a trance.

“Where is the Overlord?”

“No one sees the Overlord,” Yex responded immediately. Jareth’s face contorted as he fought against the hold over him, and I hurriedly started to sing again. Perhaps the half-breeds weren’t as susceptible to my voice magicks? That would be something to file away. When his face went slack again, I switched tactics.

“Where are the children?”

Yex answered without a fight. “Everything is offered to the Overlord.”

Well, that explained absolutely nothing.

Jareth’s face turned red, sweat beading along his head as he fought the compulsion on him. “Shut it, Yex!”

Keeping my eyes on Jareth, I leaned down to whisper in Yex’s ear. “The half-breeds think they’re better than you. They know you will die out, and they will take your place. Stronger, better, faster . . . they will destroy you.”

With a yell of rage, Yex fell upon Jareth, who was still too much under my thrall to fight back. I grabbed a dagger from Yex’s waist as he barreled past me, his fists pounding into Jareth. They screamed together as blood spattered the stones and I ran, gathering my chains into a ball in front of my chest and taking the remaining stairs as fast as I dared. I stopped, realizing I didn’t know where to go. I couldn’t shift unless I took the chains off. I fumbled in the band on my breasts for the key. I didn’t have much time.