“Crak, bring the box,” Draegan barked, and one of his henchmen disappeared down a hallway. He returned a minute later carrying a dark wooden box, which he laid in front of his boss. Draegan lifted the cover and shuffled some papers before he pulled out a folded one. He opened the paper to reveal a long one-page contract with Greg’s uncle’s name signed in blood at the bottom.

I nodded, and he laid the contract in the center of the table then handed the box to Crak.

“Your turn,” he said.

The room had grown quiet around us, and it was as if everyone held their breath when I laid the diamond on top of the contract. Demons moved in closer, forming a wide circle around us. Jordan stood at my left, and Lucien stood at my right as if he and I were suddenly friends. When this was over, I hoped I never laid eyes on him or anyone else in this room again.

Draegan could not hold back his satisfied smirk as he filled two shot glasses and pushed one toward me. “Ladies first.”

I picked up the glass and sniffed the pearly substance. It smelled sweet and made me think of flowers and honey. I put it to my lips and tilted my head back. Here goes everything.

Flavors burst across my tongue: cream, honey, lavender, and too many others to identify. It was the most amazing thing I’d ever tasted. I swallowed and delicious warmth spread through my body, making me want to laugh and run barefoot through a sunny meadow. I licked every last drop from my lips before I set the glass down and looked at Draegan, who wore a puzzled expression. Around us, demons were staring at me like I’d just sprouted angel wings.

“What?” I asked.

Jordan tapped my shoulder. “How do you feel?”

I gave her a grin. “Wonderful.”

Draegan made a noise, and I faced him again to find him watching me with narrowed eyes.

“Your turn.”

He snatched up his glass and downed the contents in one gulp. I watched him enviously. Next time I saw Aine, I was going to ask her why she’d never told me about this stuff.

Draegan grimaced slightly as he put his glass back on the table. It was the only sign he gave that the drink affected him at all, and not in a pleasant way. He picked up the decanter and filled our glasses again.

I reached for mine before he had a chance to push it across the table. My mouth was already watering in anticipation by the time I put the glass to my lips and drank. Mmmm. I sighed happily as I laid my empty glass on the table.

I smiled at Draegan as he took his turn. I couldn’t understand why he was scowling when he should be happy. This stuff was incredible. I could drink it all night.

Two shots later, Draegan started swaying in his chair, and whispers broke out around us.

After the fifth shot, I burped loudly and slapped a hand over my mouth. “Excuse me.”

By the sixth shot, his eyes were crossing, and he had to hold onto the table to stay upright.

I pressed my legs together tightly, suddenly feeling the effects of all the drinks. “Listen, how much longer do you think this will take?”

“Are you ready to give up?” he asked in a slurred voice. His eyes couldn’t focus on my face.

“No, I really need to pee.”

Someone snickered. One corner of Draegan’s jaw sagged and drool ran down his chin. Behind him, his two henchmen watched me with expressions of anger and disbelief.

Draegan tried to scowl, but his lips wouldn’t cooperate. “It’s over when I say it’s –”

His face hit the table so hard I was sure there would be cracks in the wood.

“That’s gonna hurt.” I looked up at Lucien, who was watching me with an indecipherable expression. “Did I win?” He nodded, and I couldn’t hold back my grin. “Awesome! Now could you point me to the bathroom? I really do have to go.”

He pointed down the hallway. “Second door on the left.”

Draegan’s bathroom was as white as the rest of his apartment. “What does this guy have against color?” I muttered as I washed my hands and dried them with a plush white towel.

I grinned at my reflection in the mirror. I did it! Greg and his cousin would never have to worry about Draegan or blood debts again. “Not bad for a night’s work.”

My power surged and I clamped down on it. “What the hell?”

A small tug on my coat caught my attention, and I looked down at the tiny pale creature clinging to my front pocket that held the diamonds.

“Hey, get out of there.” I grabbed the back of the imp’s loincloth and set him down on the vanity. He chattered angrily and snapped his sharp little teeth at my hand.

I flicked a spark at him, making him squeak and scurry backward. “Don’t bite off more than you can chew, buddy. Now go steal from someone else.”

When I came out of the bathroom, Jordan was standing in the hallway waiting for me. In her hands were the diamond and the contract. She handed them to me and watched as I stuffed them in my pockets. “Do you feel okay?”

“Never felt better.”

She peered into my eyes. “You’re acting weird. I’d say you were drunk, but Lucian said Glaen isn’t alcohol.”

“I’m great!” I gave her a quick hug.

She stepped back. “What was that for?”

“I’m just glad we’re friends.”

“Whoa, too much of the happy juice.” She took my arm and led me back to the main room. “I hope this faerie shit wears off soon because it’s kind of freaking me out.”

We were met by Draegan’s two henchmen as soon as we entered the living room. They moved to block our path to the door. The rest of the demons moved back, giving the four of us a wide berth.