“They didn’t set me free,” I said. “You did.”

“Yes, we let you go. This is just a little session to negotiate our reward. Well, not really negotiate. Demand, actually. Either you pay up . . .” She lifted her fingers. They frosted over. “Everyone says it’s a party-trick power. What’s it good for, other than chilling beer cans fast? Thing is, they lack imagination. There’s a lot of things you can do with ice. Nasty things. Painful things.”

“What do you want?”

“To join your team. Help you.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. They waited patiently until I was done.

“Seriously?” I said. “If this is Giles’s backup idea for planting a spy in the enemy ranks, then he really isn’t very good at the underhanded stuff. So, what’s your story? Let me guess. You’ve been having doubts. Wondering if exposure is really such a good idea. Now you’ve met me and you’ve seen the light. You want to switch sides.”

“We don’t have doubts,” Sierra said.

“Ever,” Severin added.

“What we do have is ambition. You’re about to be made a very generous offer, Savannah. One that will put you in a position”— Sierra’s lips pursed—“a position we don’t think you’re ready to undertake. Not alone, anyway. You need help. Our help.”

“So you’re threatening me with torture because you want to team up with me?” I sighed. “Okay, look, obviously you guys skipped preschool and missed out on all the lessons about making friends. Let me give you a few pointers—”

Sierra laid a finger on my arm. A shot of icy agony had me howling in shock and pain. “You have no idea what we’re bringing to the table, little girl,” she said. “No fucking idea.”

“Okay.” I struggled to keep my voice calm. “Why don’t you tell me?”

She eased back and peered at me, jaw set in a way that said she didn’t think I deserved a response. Not yet.

She touched my arm again, in the same spot. Pain shot through it, and I choked on a scream. When she withdrew her finger, she’d left a patch of white skin.

“Ice is a nasty thing,” she said. “Much worse than fire if you do it right. Localized freezing. That’s the key.” She stroked the back of my hand. “You have very pretty fingers, Savannah.”

I remembered Walter Alston’s fingers lined up on the desk. I yanked my gaze away before she could see my reaction.

Severin was drawing a chalk circle on the floor.

“What’s that for?” I said, jerking my chin at the circle.

“Did I mention you were about to receive a very generous offer?” Sierra said.

I stared at the circle. “From a demon?”

“You’re a lucky girl.”

Severin stood. “My sister’s given you a little taste of our powers, Savannah. I’d suggest you don’t mention that incident to our employer. He may be powerful, but he won’t be able to protect you all the time. Just remember our offer. We’ll be making it again after you’ve gotten yours. I’d suggest you consider it.”

“Strongly consider it,” Sierra said.

Severin stepped into the circle and began reciting the incantation. I tugged and writhed against my bonds, but I wasn’t going anywhere. Not until this was over.

I didn’t need to wait long. The last words had barely left Severin’s mouth before he teetered, then jerked upright. Then he looked at me and his eyes glowed a green so bright I blinked.

“Savannah.” His voice was pitched low, silky, musical. He seemed to glide across the room toward me. I could feel the heat radiating off him. Sweat trickled down my face as I stared into those piercing green eyes. Not just any demon. A lord demon.

I struggled not to shrink as he came closer. I’m not sure I didn’t anyway. Sierra stepped back fast, her gaze averted, cheeks flushing, lips pursing, as if annoyed by her reaction.

The demon stopped right in front of me, those waves of heat making sweat spring from every pore. Then he lowered himself to a crouch. When he reached to touch my face, I had to grit my teeth to stay still, and even then, I couldn’t maintain eye contact.

He cupped my chin in his fingers and rubbed his thumb along my jaw. I knew the incredible heat of his touch should burn, but it was like a hot-water bottle on a winter’s night. I leaned into his hand, in spite of myself.

“As perfect as any mortal could be,” he said. “Such power. Such incredible power.”

Not anymore.

I didn’t say the words aloud, but his grip tightened and I looked up to see his eyes flash with an anger that should have terrified me, but I drank it in and I felt . . . pleased. Satisfied.

“Someone took your powers,” he said. “I had heard the rumor, but I didn’t believe it. I didn’t think anyone would dare.”

So it wasn’t you? Again, I only thought it, but his grip tightened and that anger flared once more.

“Never,” he said. “When I find out who did . . .”

A blast of heat sent every scrap of paper in the room whirling. Sierra yelped and fell back. To me, it felt like a sauna door opening, and I basked in the heat of the demon’s rage.

“Whoever did this will pay for his trespass,” he said. “Now that I have confirmation, I’ll set a legion of demi-demons on the task. You’ll get your powers back, Savannah.”

I shook my head. “I’m not making any bargains. I don’t care who you are—”

“No?” He tilted my face up. “I think you know who I am, and if you do, you know that I’d never try to bargain with you. I’ll give you what you need. Freely. That is your birthright.”

When I didn’t answer, he lowered his face to mine. “You do know, Savannah. I know you do. Who am I?”

“Balaam.”

“Yes.” He kissed my forehead and when he pulled back, I felt the burn like a brand on my skin. He crouched before me, his face level with mine. “I’m not here to make bargains, Savannah. But I am here to ask for something. I need your assistance in helping you achieve your birthright. The kind of life you deserve. Which is not a life spent hiding. All supernaturals are superior to mere humans. You know that.”

We have gifts. So do many humans—intelligence, wealth, strength. It’s what you do with them that counts.