Pretty When She Kills (Pretty When She Dies #2)(80)

“They haven't all risen,” she whispered to Cassandra.

“The zombies?” Cassandra asked warily.

Amaliya nodded.

Behind Cassandra an enormous beast that was part coyote and part man prowled in their wake. Eduardo flashed his fangs. Amaliya ignored him. Slicing open her wrists with her nails, she let her cold blood drop onto the graves while she walked.

“I should have no mercy on you!”

“I did all you asked!”

Cian thrust aside a few more zombies and the two arguing vampires came into view. Rachon was on her knees before Bianca. The sight startled Amaliya. She had not expected this at all. Cian's darting look in Amaliya’s direction said he was surprised as well.

Bianca's glowing white eyes flicked in their direction. Rachon shot to her feet and stumbled back a few steps to the side of the rapidly-dissolving body of a massive vampire.

“We have company, Rachon,” Bianca said. “Hello, Cian.”

“Bianca...” Cian said warily. “We're here to rescue you and stop Rachon...” His voice trailed off as Rachon vehemently shook her head at him.

Amaliya stepped around Cian to gaze at the young woman in her blood-splattered dress. Bianca appeared exactly how Amaliya had viewed her in her dream: glowing white, beautiful, stained in blood.

The power of the girl before her was chilling in its intensity. Amaliya felt it slithering over her, touching her, exploring the edges of Amaliya's own abilities. The silken touch of the dark necromancy elicited a shudder of arousal as it caressed her body. Amaliya gasped.

Disregarding Rachon, Bianca gazed at the interlopers thoughtfully.

“What is going on?” Cassandra dared to ask.

“Well, Rachon’s plan was to collect the ingredients for a ritual that would have rendered Amaliya human so she could kill her to avenge The Summoner's death,” Bianca said.

Her voice was slightly different from her dream, Amaliya realized.

“Is that possible?” Cian asked warily.

Bianca nodded once. “Yes.”

“But you stopped her?” Cian tilted his head, scrutinizing the girl.

“Yes.”

Amaliya trembled in the wash of Bianca's necromantic power. It wrapped her in great dark, icy waves. It lapped against her, seeking a way in, trying to overcome her defenses. A hollow ache opened up within Amaliya, the power calling to her. She wanted to let it in, drown in its power, let it consume her. Gritting her teeth, she fought it.

“Why?” Cian took a step forward, but Amaliya gripped his arm and yanked him back.

“Don't go near her,” Amaliya hissed.

Cassandra stood at the ready, blades glittering while Eduardo hunched at her side, fangs bared. His powerful body was covered in a thick orange pelt shot through with black fur.

Bianca's perfectly-shaped pink lips smiled slightly. “Amaliya...”

The mere sound of her voice caused Amaliya to quiver. The power of the necromancer licked at her, arousing her even more, calling to her.

Out of the corner of her eye, Amaliya could see Rachon edging away. Eduardo growled at the female vampire, lowering his body as he prepared to spring.

“I wouldn't move if I were you,” Cassandra warned Rachon.

Amaliya struggled to stand, her body now visibly quaking. Bianca smirked.

Cian shifted on his feet, his hand extending to steady Amaliya. She ducked away from him, inadvertently moving herself closer to Bianca. “Don't touch me!”

The dark power of the girl battered Amaliya's defenses and it took all her willpower to shut the other necromancer out. Her wrists still bleeding, Amaliya turned to face Bianca.

“Why does a girl from East Texas speak in an English accent?” she demanded.

Bianca’s smile became almost serpentine. “You tell me.”

“Where’s my grandmother and my cousin?” Amaliya demanded.

The lithe girl in the stained white dress swayed on her feet, smiling. “Tell me, Amaliya.”

“Where is my family?” Amaliya shouted at Bianca.

Bianca licked her lips. “Dead.”

With a scream of anger, Amaliya hurled herself at the young woman. She instantly realized it was a mistake. Bianca caught her, a triumphant smile on her face. “Always making mistakes. Always self-destructing. Tell me, Amaliya, what does death taste like?” Bianca crushed her lips against Amaliya's.

Instantly, Amaliya was flooded with the darkest of magicks. It filled her up and battered against her own power. It tried to overwhelm her mind and drag her into the abyss. Her body sang with need: the need for blood, the need for death, and the need for sex. Teetering on the edge of madness, hunger, and pleasure, Amaliya clutched Bianca to her. Their kiss was savage, full of hate, desire, and nameless darkest needs.

Amaliya wanted to drown in Bianca's power and rise again as her darkest bride.

No, as his darkest bride.

With a scream of rage, Amaliya hurled Bianca from her. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she swayed on her feet. She briefly caught sight of Cian, held back by Cassandra and Eduardo. Understanding filled his horrified gaze.

Laughing, Bianca languidly licked her lips.

“How?” Amaliya gasped. “How?”

“Do you think I would die so easily? Did you think I would not find a way back from beyond the veil?” Bianca scoffed at her.