"A deal? You have a deal for me?" Xaldreth looked as surprised as I would be if a toddler one day walked up to me and offered me a job. "You do realize that it is usually demons who offer deals, correct?"
"Then would you like to offer me one instead?"
"Yes," he replied without hesitation. "Tell me how you know as much as you do, and I will consider making your death painless."
I resisted the very strong urge to pinch the bridge of my nose.
"Yeah, okay, no offense, but that's a really rubbish deal. Here's a better one from me." I paused to let the silence stretch, because believe me when I say theatrics are always important when dealing with ancient beings like him. "You listen to my demands, and I'll consider— khwaa!"
Xaldreth didn't wait for me to finish.
His finger pressed harder against my chest, and a sharp, searing pain ripped through my heart, as if something had suddenly cinched tight around it like a vice.
