rogue shifter 06 - torn apart Read Online Free PDF Page B

that way. And I would never pimp you out, although it is a common practice in my realm to exchange favors for power. I will behave toward you as a decent boss treats a good employee. The work will be difficult and tiring."
    "Physical labor?"
    He laughed. "Please. I have servants for that. No, it will be mostly magical work. You are more than capable."
    My mouth twisted into a frown. "Can you give me an example of what I might be doing?"
    "No." This time the grin was impish, as if he was starting to enjoy the whole "Slave Jackie" idea. "Do you ever tell me what you want before you summon me?"
    "Garrett won't like not knowing what you're making me do."
    "That is a shame, but it is unavoidable." You could eat the sarcasm with a spoon. Isaiah and Garrett were not the closest of friends, to say the least.
    "What if Bridgett or Grandmother see me?"
    "They will not know you are there. You will stay in my compound. My security is excellent."
    "Like a prisoner?' I asked.
    "It is quite large and comfortable, but yes, if you insist. You will be a prisoner for three consecutive days a month. You will not be allowed out unless I tell you to accompany me somewhere."
    "What's it like? Is it all—hot and sulfury?"
    His eyebrows shot up. "Sulfury?"
    "You know, stinking from—smelling like sulfur...brimstone?"
    "Where do you get your ridiculous ideas? The movies? The Demon Realm is more beautiful than Faerie. In fact you may be able to meet some of the unseelie royalty while you are staying with me. The Goblin King occasionally shows up for dinner unannounced, and the Duke of the Slaugh, well, perhaps it is better if you do not meet him. He is a cad."
    I rolled my eyes. Only Isaiah could use the word "cad" and make it sound normal. "So how do I get to you? Do you teach me how to travel there through the lines? You told me I have the ability."
    He laughed and I didn't like the sound of it one bit. "Oh no, little demon. I am going to summon you, just like you did to me, only I'm going to do it every month for years."
    I pouted. "How will I know when you're going to summon me?"
    He narrowed his eyes. "I should tell you that you will not know and that it will be whenever I feel like it." He sighed in exasperation. "For now, I will be reasonable in this regard." He looked thoughtful for a moment. "In the afternoon between noon and one."
    "That's reasonable? What if I'm holding Charlie or driving a car?"
    "Did you think today about what I might have been doing when you summoned me?" His voice had deepened.
    I looked down at my feet. "No." He was right. It never entered my mind. "I'm sorry. I should have."
    "I recommend that every day during that hour you sit quietly and read a book, or go for a walk, or take a nap."
    "I want the weekend off."
    "Unacceptable." He was getting angry again.
    "At least Sunday. C'mon, Isaiah, have a heart. I need one day where I'm not worrying about suddenly disappearing from the table in the middle of lunch."
    "I'll only be summoning you once a month. Once you're home, you don't have to worry about it again until the next month begins."
    I flattened my mouth in thought. "Well, we need to work around my schedule. If I'm on a job, or if there's a special event, then you can't have me tied up in the DR for three days straight."
    He frowned. "When you are summoned you will present me with your next month's schedule. I will try to work around it, but I make no promises."
    "Fine." I crossed my arms, pouting.
    "And if you whine or pout while you are with me, I might keep you in your summoning circle for several hours."
    "A time out? I'm not a two year old. Plus, I'm claustrophobic."
    His entire expression changed, turning grim and reminding me that this was not the easy-going Isaiah I'd worked with in the past. He held all the cards. "Perhaps I am not being completely clear. When you are summoned, you will obey me. If you do not, there will be consequences. I will not ask you to do anything that jeopardizes your alliances or