Free Devoured By Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

battle.”
    “And so modest.”
    “I’m the best. No amount of modesty can change that.”
    She paused, continuing to gnaw on her lip. “Do you promise not to try and force me to the Commission?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. You know I can’t make that promise.”
    “Then stay here,” she snapped.
    “Damn you, Laylah.” With a blinding speed, he reached out to grasp her arm, sensing she was a breath from disappearing and leaving him stranded. “You want my promise? You have it.”
    “You’d say anything to get out of here.” She held his gaze, refusing to back down. Dammit. That insane courage was going to put her in her grave. “You’re going to have to do better than a promise that isn’t worth jack squat.”
    “What do you want?”
    There was the briefest hesitation. “I want you to make a wish.”

Chapter 5
    Laylah was prepared for Tane’s foul curse.
    Jinn were universally disliked for their cunning guile, their unpredictable natures, and merciless power that few demons could match. And of course, there was always their charming lust for violence.
    But while most creatures wouldn’t admit the truth, it was the Jinn’s ability to enslave others that truly made them itchy.
    It wasn’t the pansy ass version the water sprites could conjure.
    The fey magic could capture humans, and only if the mortals were foolish enough to accept three wishes.
    There was nothing pansy ass about the Jinn.
    They only needed a victim to willingly fall into their debt, no matter how slight an IOU, to make a claim on their soul. And it didn’t matter if they were mortals or dew fairies or vampires. They all fell beneath the Jinn’s spell of enchantment.
    When Laylah was barely more than a child she had accidentally enslaved an imp she’d found caught in an iron trap used by a poacher. It was her nature to heal those in need and she hadn’t realized the danger until the imp refused to leave her foster mother’s farm, his desperate attempts to please her causing complete chaos until she’d finally figured out how to release him.
    She’d done her best over the years to keep the talent locked deep inside her. It seemed immoral to claim another’s soul. Even worse than killing them.
    And it was only when the mage had taken her captive that she’d deliberately tried to bind another to her will. Unfortunately the bastard had kept her so weak she hadn’t been able to use any of her powers.
    Now she was left flying with a wing and a prayer.
    Her usual state of affairs.
    Tane narrowed his eyes, looking at her as if she’d sprouted horns.
    “You have the power to bind a vampire?”
    Well, that was the question wasn’t it?
    She had no way to calculate how much strength it would take to enslave a vampire, but she was fairly certain it was waaaay more than she could claim. Her only hope was being able to … prompt him to do her bidding.
    “I can’t turn you into my private puppet, if that’s what you’re worried about, but it does give me the upper hand in our negotiations,” she smoothly said, pretending she wasn’t completely clueless.
    His hand lifted to cup her cheek as he easily sensed her shaky confidence.
    “You’re lying.”
    “Whatever.” She shrugged. “Are you coming with me or not?”
    “Maybe I want to wish for something beyond …”
    “I’m counting to three, you can come or stay, I don’t give a crap,” she hastily interrupted.
    “Oh, I intend to come,” he assured her with a sinful smile. “In more ways than you can imagine.”
    “One,” she gritted.
    “And you’re coming with me.”
    “Two.”
    He brushed his lips softly over her mouth. “You got it, sweet Laylah?” “Three.”
    As the word tumbled from her lips the fog began to swirl, twirling ever faster as she thinned the veil between worlds. Dammit. She’d made her decision and no arrogant bloodsucker was going to stand in her way.
    “I wish to remain at your side,” he muttered, grabbing her arm just as she began to step