Embraced (The Eternal Balance #2)(66)

“Brim Stone,” Sam repeated. “Why does that sound familiar?”

“Because it’s the stone that enabled Malphi to tap in to the magic of the Gray family bloodline.”

“Wait.” Sam’s eyes grew wide. “If it’s the stone Malphi had, and Malphi is dead, then who has the stone?”

Heckle pinned her with a pitying frown.

She blew a stray hair from her face and rolled her eyes. “You’ve gotta be shitting me…”

“I wish I were.” He sighed. “I’m afraid a grievous oversight on my part allowed Malphi’s stone to fall into the enemy’s hands.”

Sam’s eyes widened, and she opened her mouth, but Azi wasn’t interested in anything she had to say. Suspicion swelled and he focused on Heckle. “And what do you want with the stone?”

“As you can see,” Heckle hitched a thumb over his shoulder at the carnivus. “Something is just a bit off.”

He was right. Azi’s memories swirled, and I knew that carnivi, like most other creatures that inhabited hell, were unable to cross to this plane. At least, not on their own. “How did it come to be here?”

“You can thank Zenak,” Heckle said. He flicked a finger at the beast, frowning. “And there’s plenty more where that came from. I’ve gotten reports from all over Harlow. Denizens of Hell have been running rampant for the last few days.”

“And you believe this is Zenak’s doing?” My muscles tensed, my body’s natural reaction to the apprehension the demon felt. I still hadn’t gotten used to it—the way my body betrayed me by reacting to the whims and desires of another. Everything was so much stronger, amplified by the demon’s senses. “That my enemy has stolen the stone and is using it to call forth an army?”

“I’m afraid it is now in Zenak’s possession. While one half of the stone doesn’t give the demon access to all its inherit abilities, it does give a dangerous edge. It can’t travel home, but it appears that it can call reinforcements.”

“Wait—half?” Tendrils of worry rose from Sam’s shoulders. Her pulse increased, heartbeat racing. “He doesn’t have the whole thing?”

Heckle shook his head. “Sadie only had half the stone. I don’t know what became of the remaining part. You’ll have to find it, though. It’s far too dangerous to leave it floating around.”

“But if Zenak has an advantage with just half the stone, why hasn’t it come for us yet?”

“It’s not immediately clear what Zenak’s plans are. But, knowing what we do—that it wants to destroy Azirak and take control of Sam—I believe getting to the other half of the stone before it does will benefit us all.”

Azi bristled, and I felt a mix of anger and concern from the demon. “And the half of the stone that Zenak already possesses? What of that?”

“Once you retrieve the stone—both halves—I will dispose of them.”

That wasn’t going to happen. Azi had no intention of handing either half of the stone over to Heckle.

“Zenak has brought over the carnivi—and I assure you, there are more roaming the streets of Harlow. It is feasible that it has brought others as well. The tracker, perhaps?”

The shift in Azi’s mood was violent. My body tensed, limbs itching to tear into something, anything. “I see,” came the demon’s deceptively calm response, just slightly deeper than my usual voice. “Then I suppose that escalates things.”

Heckle, seemingly satisfied, gave a short nod. “In the meantime, I suggest you deal with this.” He took two steps backward, melting into the darkness. A moment later, the previously frozen carnivus leaped from the shadows.



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Acknowledgments

My life was a bit upside down while writing this book. My mom was diagnosed with and began treatment for stage four uterine cancer. Some of the worst days I’ve ever lived through happened during the construction of Embraced. If that sounds morbid and bleak, then let me tell you that it’s anything but. Why? Because I’m still here. My mom is still here. My books, my words, are still here. And none of that would have been possible without the amazing people in my life.

Obviously my family was a huge part of that. My Aunts Nina and Lynn, and Kate—you are now and always will be a part of my family—were boundless in their support. My dad, who keeps thanking me when it is me who should be thanking him. One word. Mortimer. mic drop And Kevin. My husband. My rock. My reason for everything. You are the basis for every hero I write, because to me there is no one more heroic than you. When you look at me, you see someone who can do anything. Be anything. That kind of faith is the reason I am the person I am today.

To my crit partner Lynn, for your priceless feedback and suggestion, and for all the times you checked in to see how we were doing. It might not seem like a big deal to you, but to me it was monumental. You are seven shades of awesome, girl. ;) And of course my agent, Nicole Resciniti, who I find myself in awe of. Your tireless enthusiasm and encouragement kept me from breaking some days.