Up in Smoke - Katie MacAlister [10]
“In a manner of speaking.” He kissed me again, then reluctantly let me slide down his body until I was on my feet again. “I’ve had everyone working on the situation with you and Magoth. Through Aisling’s auspices, I’ve consulted the Guardians’ Guild, a number of oracles, and even a seer. All of them told me the same thing—there is no way to force a demon lord into giving up a minion bound to him.”
I said nothing but watched him closely, sure that he wouldn’t let the matter end there.
His dimples emerged. “So then I went back to Aisling and asked her what she would do if she was in my position.”
A little pang of jealousy gave me a moment of irritation. Before I had met Gabriel, he had been what I assume was moderately smitten with Aisling, evidently considering stealing her from Drake. That he gave up the idea when he found out Aisling was pregnant said much, but I wouldn’t be female if it didn’t annoy me just a smidgen that he turned to her for help.
“Jealousy becomes you,” he said, his dimples flashing even deeper.
“I sure wish I knew why you can read my mind at times, and I can’t read yours at all,” I answered, giving him a hearty pinch on his attractive behind. “I’m not jealous. I’m just . . . Oh, move on. We don’t have time for me to explain my emotions.”
“I look forward to the time when you can explain,” he answered with a wicked glint in his quicksilver eyes. The amusement in them faded as he continued. “Aisling thought about the situation for several weeks but in the end had only one suggestion: that you barter for your freedom.”
“Barter? Barter what? Not the phylactery, I hope.”
“No, not that,” he said, the lines of his face deepening. “I would not part with that, not after what it cost you.”
“Good, because I didn’t give it to you lightly. I knew you would keep it safe, keep it from Kostya or Magoth or anyone else misusing its power. Er . . . where is it?”
“Safe,” he answered.
I searched his face but was satisfied with the honesty I found there. Gabriel knew what it had cost me to go dybbuk by giving him the phylactery—he wouldn’t give it up to anyone. “Do you have something I can barter with, then? Because I’m at a loss as to what you think I have,” I said, casting my mind over my meager possessions. “If I had anything valuable, Magoth would have long ago demanded I hand it over.”
He shook his head. “I have many treasures that the demon lord would no doubt covet, but I do not give up anything I hold.” His thumb swept across my lower lip. I bit it. “That includes you, little bird.”
“Then, what am I supposed to barter with?”
“You.”
“Me?” A horrible thought came to mind, one that I instantly dismissed as being too ludicrous for words.
Gabriel looked offended. “Do you seriously believe I would allow you to sell your body—”
“Of course I don’t! And stop being indignant over the idea. If you hadn’t read my mind, you wouldn’t know that the thought had even occurred to me. It’s just . . . what exactly about me do you think will sway Magoth?”
“Your origins, Mayling. You’re a doppelganger, yes, but you live in the mortal world. Aisling tells me that of all the princes of Abaddon, only one has the ability to frequent this world, something that irritates the other lords.”
Enlightenment dawned on me at that moment. “Agathos daimon—you want to release Magoth on the mortal world? Gabriel, I can’t begin to tell you what a very, very bad idea that is. There’s no one who wants to be out of Abaddon more than me, but not at the cost of endangering mortals.”
“But they would not be endangered, not if Magoth is granted access via you. Aisling has a copy of a book that sets down the rules of Abaddon.”
“The Doctrine of Unending Conscious, yes,” I said, nodding. “I’m familiar with it. You’re talking about the part that says if I agree to become Magoth’s consort, he will have access to my world of origin, but I say again: that’s not a good idea.”
“You are not as familiar with it as you might be,” he said, his hands warm on my waist as