I take his hand.

I'd lived long enough in the shadows, in the barn, maybe it was time I took a chance. I was a merchant, and taking chances was in the blood.

"You've got yourself a partner." I took his hand, shaking it firmly. Theo smiled and laughed, pulling away from me. He suddenly pulled a knife from his shirt and drove it into the wall of the stables. "Yikes, you've also got a hell of an arm."

"I've been practicing." Theo gave a wolf's grin. "Good thing you agreed, or I would've put that in your heart."

"Shouldn't turn my back on you, then?" I said, faking bravado. This man was more than a little unhinged, I was gathering; who just says something like that.

"I promise I won't." He tilted his head. "You're my demon king now, and I'm your minion. That's a sacred trust, you know."

"My minion. That's a little lame. How about a dark knight?" I asked sarcastically.

"Perfect. Though, as a knight, I'll need an oath to bind myself to." He punched me across the jaw. I looked back at him, a little shocked and annoyed. "Sorry, sir. The bruises, remember?"

"Right. Carry on."

"So, what's the timetable, sir?" He asked as he punched me a few more times, and then kneed me in the stomach.

"Don't really have one." I wheezed. "Only had myself until a few seconds ago."

"Fair enough." He said cheerfully as he laid a fist in my nose. "I'll give you two-three days to figure something out; be nice if you had something sooner."

"Okay. Okay." I gingerly touched my nose. What have I gotten myself into? "I'll get back to you soon."