I roared.
“Feel better?” Marduk asked snidely.
I'd never felt this before, not even when I'd first reached for the magic of Faerie and felt my true self emerge. This was different. Pure. There were no other magics to dampen the dragon and hold her back. She was everything; a massive presence inside me that extended beyond my skin. I felt her head lifting proudly above mine, her eyes scanning the world with shrewd anticipation. The air around me shivered as if it knew a magnificent predator had arrived. Sounds of primal satisfaction rumbled past my lips, and I had to stop myself from shifting right there. I wanted to fly! To burn! To conquer! I was Dragon and the world should tremble in fear of me!
“No, no, no, no,” I whispered as I reined her back. “That's a little too close to Dark Star territory. We're not going there again. We've got to get our family back.”
I felt her curl up inside me with an arrogant but agreeing huff. Whether we went there or not, she knew we were born to rule. I chuckled and climbed to my feet, feeling better than I had in weeks. Utterly refreshed, no muscle aches or exhaustion. I was back, baby!
“You have your deal,” I growled as I swung open the door. “Give me back my life, you fucking bastard!”
Marduk smirked and stepped backward, giving me space to enter the hallway. “I'll need to touch you again.”
I narrowed my eyes at him and didn't move. “You didn't before.”
“For the oath, you foolish woman,” he snapped. “Get a knife; we'll need to cut ourselves.”
“I have built-in knives,” my voice went low and menacing as my pointer fingernail extended into a talon.
“I'm not letting you cut me,” Marduk refused. “Now, get a damn knife.”
“Fine.” I glanced over at the kitchen as I shifted my fingernail back then went to the knife block. I selected a tiny paring knife and returned to the doorway. After staring Marduk down a moment, I stepped through Sin's ward. “All right, let's do this.”
“Cut your finger.” He waved at my hand and waited.
I watched him cautiously as I sliced the pad of my pointer finger. I was just inches outside the apartment. If Marduk tried anything, I could jump back in. I was strong enough now to pull away, even if he grabbed me. Hell, I could probably kill the bastard. I considered it, but that wouldn't get me back my life.
Marduk rolled his eyes as if he could hear my inner argument then made a gimme motion toward the knife. I handed it over and he cut his finger. Blood welled and our stares collided. My dragon licked her lips. She had a taste for blood, but this man's blood, in particular, would satisfy her beyond any other. Despite the temptation, she held herself back; her mate was worth more than vengeance. We'd get that later. Right now, we needed what Marduk was offering.
Magic wove around us, and I sighed into it like slipping into a hot bath. Being cut off from magic had been akin to being swathed in cotton or held underwater. Everything had felt dulled and hollow. Now, the world filled in, plumped up with color and sound and scent. No, that wasn't it. I was the one who had been dull and empty; a dried-up sponge, hard and thin, but now soaked full of magic. With power racing through my veins once more, I felt confident. I felt alive!
“I swear that I shall return your life to the way it was before I altered it and once you transfer your territory to me, I shall never attack you again,” Marduk intoned ceremoniously.
“Or any of my loved ones,” I added.
Marduk grimaced but amended his vow, “Or any of your loved ones.”
“I swear that once my destiny is restored, I shall transfer my territory to you. The Pride lands will be yours in exchange for the return of everything else that you have taken from me.”
“Agreed.” Marduk held out his finger.
Magic crackled in the air and our blood sparked as I tapped my finger to his. The oath surged down my pointer to settle in my chest. I clenched my teeth at the cold, sharp stab of it, and my dragon drew back with a growl, but we let the vow take root. When it was settled into us both, Marduk nodded in satisfaction and handed me back the knife. I took it as I absently blew a tiny stream of fire over my cut, healing it in an instant.
Marduk unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the Tablet.
“Do you wear that thing everywhere?” I grumbled.
“I assumed that I'd need it today,” Marduk said pointedly as he set his palm to the stone. “Give me your hand, it'll go smoother and faster if I touch you.”
I grimaced.
“Touching you brings me no pleasure either,” Marduk sneered. “But I want this done properly.”
I held out my hand, and he snatched it. Instantly, Marduk's eyes filled with light and power surged down his hand and into mine. I ground my teeth together to keep from crying out. The reversal of my fate hurt nearly as much as the initial alteration. Destiny speared me to its dissection tray like a dead frog. She cut me apart, jostled things around a bit, and sewed me back together. I started to tremble but desperately held on to Marduk. I wouldn't screw this up no matter how much it hurt.
Images flashed through my mind as my magic was siphoned through Marduk, back from where he'd sent it, and into me. First to return was the magic I'd been born with; my witch magic. A simple thing of watered-down faerie essence, but I hugged it to myself like a beloved childhood toy. I didn't use my witch power often, but it was still a major part of me—more me than the magic I had taken from other gods—and I had missed
