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“Bargains as in contracts,” Ramanu agrees. “I won’t pretend I understand what drove Azazel to change his plans, but rest assured that you’re safe. Even if he weren’t essentially king, these days no one in this city would dare abuse or threaten a human. Bargains are sacred to our people. Humans are to be protected.”
If I assume this is all real, then I need to start plotting. I press the heels of my hands to my eyes and try to think. Azazel had me sign a contract. If Ramanu is to be believed, that contract is the reason he was able to bring me here. To go home, I just need to do those steps in reverse. “How does one cancel a contract—or a bargain, I guess?”
Ramanu grins. “It would have to be mutually agreed upon.”
Something that won’t happen, given how much effort Azazel went through to trick me and bring me here. “Oh.”
“Of course,” they say silkily, “there are other ways. If the terms of the contract are violated—in your favor, of course—then it’s null and void. The bargainer will be forced to fulfill their side of the deal and return you to your realm.”
My mind trips over their words. I read that contract fully. “There’s nothing in there about him giving me something. And when would it even come into play? The terms were for a lifetime.”
If I weren’t watching Ramanu so closely, I would miss the way their jaw drops. They recover quickly but not quickly enough.
I narrow my eyes. “That’s not standard procedure, then.”
They push off the door and shift their hands to their hips, a flirty position that does nothing to mask the fact that they’re fidgeting. “You must be tired.”
“I’m really not.” I watch them closely. A good part of my profession is reading people, and while Ramanu may not share all the features of a human, they’re not doing a good job of masking their emotions right now. “Those terms are abnormal, aren’t they?”
They clear their throat. “There will be an event tomorrow night that requires your attendance. Please avail yourself to the wardrobe.” They reach back for the doorknob. “In the meantime, you should rest. Food will be brought to your room and cleared when you’re finished with it.”
They’re going to leave before giving me any answers. I start to slide off the bed. “What kind of event?”
“An auction, though not a traditional one. It may seem frightening, but have no fear. Azazel won’t allow anyone to touch you. You’re safe here.” Then they’re gone and the door has closed softly behind them.
What the fuck just happened?