Sherrilyn Kenyon: Dream Chaser

Xypher blinked in disbelief. "What?"

Jaden shoved him back, then released him. He pulled a small vial of a white substance from the inside pocket of his jacket. "She's free of her human life span now. She won't age and she won't die."

"But she's bound."

Jaden inclined his head. "So she is." He stared at her soul for a full minute before he held it out to Xypher.

"What's the price?"

"You two owe me a favor. One day, I'll be back to collect." He closed Xypher's hand over the vial, then vanished.

Xypher couldn't breathe as he stared at her soul in his hand. He couldn't believe what Jaden had done for them.

Why?

It was so against everything he knew about the demon broker.

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth . He knew what Jaden had known, there was nothing in this world or any other that he wouldn't have done to free Simone.

His heart pounding in joy, he took the vial to her body and released her soul.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. "Xypher?"

"Your worst nightmare has returned."

Jaden took a moment to glance back at Xypher and Simone, who held on to each other with everything they had.

He remembered a time when he'd done the same. "Whatever you do, don't betray each other."

The band on his neck heated and pierced him. Wincing, he left them and returned to his master. The blistering winds cut through his body as he stood, waiting.

"What did you do?"

"My job."

A disembodied slash opened his left cheek to the bone. Jaden cursed at the pain of the wound.

"Worthless dog. You let the daughter of Palackas go?"

"I fulfilled a bargain that was struck in good faith."

Another slash cut across his torso so deep it forced him to his knees.

"Your compassion disgusts me."

"Yeah, well, you don't exactly thrill me, either." Jaden realized he should have kept his opinion to himself as he was thrown against the wall.

"One day, dog, you'll learn obedience."

Jaden swallowed as his clothes were stripped from him. He knew what punishment was to come and it was going to hurt like hell.

Yeah, Xypher and Simone owed him more than they could ever dream.

Xypher sighed as he collapsed against Simone who was still purring in satisfaction.

"I like demon sex," she said, rolling aver to pin him to the bed.

"I told you, you would."

She laughed, then kissed him senseless. "Thank you, Xypher."

"For what?"

"For trying to protect me."

"I'm not the one who bartered my soul for your freedom from hell."

"No, but you gave up your life to keep me safe. I think that makes us even."

He cupped her face in his hands. "I love you, Simone. And I swear with every part of me that you'll never doubt that."

She took his right hand into hers and kissed his knuckles. "Don't worry, I won't."

Simone smiled before she lay down over him and held him close. Closing her eyes, she realized that Xypher had given her much more than just his love. He'd given her a family and taught her things about herself she'd never known.

For the first time in her life, she had a real future to look forward to. And a family that would be with her no matter what.