"Let me guess. You want to make a deal."
Grace's hand automatically flew to the blade that was tucked into her waistband, drawing it out and spinning around, pressing the edge against the soft flesh of the demon's throat. It took her a second to recognize him but she slowly relaxed and pulled the knife away, tucking it back into her belt.
The King of Hell studied her curiously, his gaze landing briefly on the tattoo on her wrist before glancing back at her scarred face. "Grace Hardigan, how nice to see you again."
A grimace danced across her features before she settled on a glare. "I want you to bring my brother back."
"Straight to it then?" Crowley asked, tilting his head and leaning casually against the rough brick siding of the building.
Grace's scowl grew, her voice snaking its way through clenched teeth. "Bring him back."
Crowley smiled slightly and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, sweetheart, not a social call. What're you proposing?"
She eyed the demon, her hand twitching toward her blade."You bring my brother back and I get five years."
Crowley's grinned slightly before he answered her with a simple, "No."
Her expression was increduluos. "No? But you owe m-"
The air rushed from her lungs as she was pinned against the wall, the broken bricks digging into her back. It took her a second to focus on his snarling face before his voice filled her ears. "Now you listen close, sweetheart, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. I don't owe you a damned thing, so get that through your thick skull." His fingers curled into her neck as he continued. "This is my game and we play by my rules. I can bring your brother back, but this is a rough business, darlin', so it's gonna cost you a little extra."
Furious eyes met Crowley's as her hands tugged uselessly at his hold on her. Slowly, he released his grip, watching as she slumped to the ground. She glared up at him, her eyes brimming with silent rage while her hand absentmindedly rubbed at her neck. "What do you want?"
Crowley simply looked down at her, his mouth pulling up into a smug smile. "Let's just say you'll owe me one."