Pretty When She Destroys (Pretty When She Dies #3)(99)

“Our time is soon,” The Summoner said with delight. “Tonight we ascend as gods over the new world.”

Crawling onto the bed, he sprawled out alongside her, his long muscular frame alluring in the dim light. His hand slid over her legs to cup her hip. Ignoring him, Amaliya continued to smoke and stroke Bianca’s hair. The Summoner desired her, and she was keen to use that to her advantage. Confidence filled her as she realized just how much power she actually had in the situation. When he kissed her, she passionately responded, her tongue dominating his. With a little growl, he pulled her closer, consuming her mouth. When he finally released her lips to tease her neck with his teeth, she took another long drag on her cigarette.

“So...tonight you get your body back, huh?” Amaliya hated how quickly her last smoke was turning to ash. She wondered if one of The Summoner’s minions would go get her more.

Biting her earlobe, The Summoner growled, “Yes.”

“Will you be a vampire again?” Ignoring the hands wandering over her body, she slung her arm over his shoulders.

“No, something more. A god.”

“And Bianca? Me?” Amaliya tilted her head to gaze at him.

“What you are now.” The Summoner laid his hand gently on Bianca’s head. “Alas, our little one will have served her purpose.”

Amaliya narrowed her eyes. “What?”

“Are you fond of her?” The unemotional blue eyes revealed nothing of his thoughts.

“She’s part of us,” Amaliya answered.

“My blood is the key to ushering in the new world. I have no blood. It’s in your veins and hers.”

“What are you talking about?” Amaliya flicked the butt of her cigarette at the table with the rings.

The Summoner’s face showed his disapproval of her disrespect. “The spell to bring forth the new world demands the sacrifice of the necromancer’s blood that casts it. All of it.”

“So you have to kill yourself?” Amaliya looked at him with disbelief. “There’s no f*ckin’ way you’d do that.”

“The reward is becoming a god once the abyss has consumed the world.”

“Oh, that you would do.” Looking down at the sleeping girl beside her, Amaliya tried to fit the pieces together. “If you use her blood, won’t she become the god?”

“It’s my blood in her veins. I’m doing the spell. I will be the god. She will merely...die.” The Summoner twisted his fingers in Amaliya’s hair and drew her into his arms.

“And what are you going to do with me?” Dread filled her.

The Summoner’s long fingers stroked her cheek and played along her full lips. “Keep you at my side. You are my most wondrous of all my creations. I want you with me.”

“Enough to let my family and friends live. Which I know is tough for you because you really like to get your killing on.” Amaliya wished she could read him, but it was difficult.

“Yes. Though my hope is that once you feel the death of millions imbuing you with power you will finally realize the folly of keeping them alive. They’re your weakness. Eventually, you will have to eliminate those weaknesses.”

Laughing, Amaliya shook her head. “God, you’re such a f*ckin’ * in every single damn way.”

The Summoner moved over her before slipping between her thighs. Bianca didn’t stir, which made Amaliya suspicious of what he was doing to her. As his weight settled on her, Amaliya stared into the eyes of the man who had been her ruin and salvation.

She really, really wanted another cigarette.

“I may be an *, but you’re drawn to me, aren’t you?”

“I’m going to kill you,” Amaliya said, smiling.

“I know you’ll try. I also know you’ll fail.” His kiss was searing, demanding, and full of need.

Amaliya bit his lip hard, and he jerked his head back. He felt pain in his new form. That was interesting. “So, since I’m going to make you kill me later, why don’t you kill me instead of Bianca?”

“Self-sacrifice really doesn’t suit you,” The Summoner chided her. “Besides, I have no intention of killing you. You are mine. My dark bride.” As if to prove a point, he shoved Bianca’s prone, unconscious form away. “Our time has come. You must accept it.”

With a grin, Amaliya shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

“But you will.” The hunger in his kiss was intoxicating.

Even as she succumbed to his seduction and the dark, twisted power of the sword flowed through the room, Amaliya knew she would never allow him to rule the world. Somehow, she would stop him.



Aimee set stones and crystals in a distinct pattern over the large map she had spread out on the dining room table. Candles burned in a circle on the floor and the scent of Cassandra’s blood wafted with the fragrance of magic. Cian and Jeff stood just inside the doorway observing the preparations. Cassandra sat at the table within the circle, her eyes red and swollen.

“This will work,” Jeff muttered, sounding like he was trying to convince himself.

Deeper in the house the cabal was preparing to leave. They hoped to intercept Galina before she reached San Antonio. If they were lucky, she was driving to meet The Summoner. Her route would take her through the Austin area.