Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(51)

Jez growled and shot him a vicious glare. I cut in before she snapped. Palming the cross, I stood as close to the circle as I could safely get. I knew I might have to cross it and even hoped it would come to that.

“I’m going to find her, Falon,” I said, my gaze locked on his. “You’re going to help me. I know who Lilah’s hiding from. I’ll do whatever it takes to lead him to her. Are you willing to do what it takes to keep him from finding her? What’s she really worth to you?”

His gaze narrowed. His substantial wings flared out behind him, hitting the invisible wall of the ten-foot summoning circle.

“You don’t know anything,” he spoke through clenched teeth. “Now, let me out of this circle, and just maybe, I won’t tear your head off your shoulders.”

I smiled, pleased with his anger. “I know she was promised to someone. And, I know that someone isn’t you.”

“So you know it all, do you? I bet you’re feeling pretty proud. Well, since you are doing such a great job digging up information, find Lilah yourself.”

Falon’s expression was stone cold. Crossing his arms, he did his best to stare me down. His taller frame might have given the illusion that it was working, but even a fallen angel can’t stare down a wolf.

The cross was warm in my hand. I wrapped the chain around my fist and held tight.

Willow caught my elbow before I could make a move. “Remember, once you enter the circle, you’re trapped inside until someone on the outside breaks it.”

I nodded, braced myself and stepped carefully over the salt line. There was resistance, like walking through water. Then I was through, and the circle closed behind me as strong as if it had been a concrete wall. Fascinating.

Falon stood his ground in the center, refusing to back up even a little. He held his hands up to keep me at arm’s length. “You really are a crazy bit—”

I clasped his hands in mine, slipping my fingers between his and holding tight. The cross was lodged firmly between our joined hands. Falon’s insult immediately became a scream.

Connecting with Falon opened me up to his energy. It ran over me like a waterfall soaking me in his essence. It was pain and pleasure twisted into a delightful rush that I both loved and hated. I tasted all that he was in that moment, discovering the depths of his power. He was an impressive creature, but he had weaknesses. I was determined to exploit them.

With a push of power, I drove him to his knees. A venomous hatred flashed in his eyes as he gazed up at me. I wouldn’t always have the advantage with Falon; I needed to make the most of it.

“Get off me,” Falon grunted, trying to pull his hands from mine.

I held tight, refusing to lose the connection. “Talk fast, or I’m just getting started.”

I gasped then as our energy aligned. His became pliant, easily bent to my will. A deafening roar washed out all other sound. I stared into his silver eyes and saw my reflection. He was mine, a dark entity bound to the will of the light. For the first time, I felt my light, simmering deep in my core. Brightness filled me, bursting forth in response to the fallen angel in my grasp.

“Told you so,” Willow said, but it was muffled, sounding far away. “You are definitely a Hound.”

“Where is Lilah?” With each word, I sent another pulse of power into Falon.

He struggled hard to free the hand that I held against the cross. I knew damn well it was the silver allowing me the edge over Falon. Without it, he’d have kicked my ass well and good already. Still, it was impossible not to enjoy the high that came from having him at my mercy.

“I have no part in your conflict with her. Leave me out of it.”

Despite his weakened state, Falon never once showed fear. He was rigid in his contempt. Having him on his knees before me was satisfying, but unless he was afraid, it just wasn’t enough.

“It’s too late for that.”

It wasn’t easy to hold him. My arms shook with the effort. The pressure began to build inside my head. No way was I letting him go yet, not without an answer.

Falon saw my exertion. He raised a brow in consideration. Unpredictable and unruly, it was impossible to know what he would try.

“You know, Shya may not let me kill you, but there are so many other things I can do to you.”

“Funny,” I replied with a growl. “I was just thinking something similar about you.”

“Alright then.” Falon smiled through the pain. “Ladies first.”

I blinked, and my eyes were wolf. My fangs sprang forth and claws protruded from my fingertips. I held tight to Falon and let him feel my wrath. Focusing on the silver that joined us, I twisted its power over him with my own and shoved it deep inside him.

My temper was short. All I wanted was to make him hurt. After listening to his snarky comments and hateful insults for the past few months, my patience had run out.

Much to my disappointment, Falon’s anguished cry was offset by his wicked laughter. Smoke rose up from our hands. I expected some form of retaliation. Falon was way ahead of me, and the bastard was clever.

“Your first mistake was thinking you could control me just because you summoned me,” he said between clenched teeth. “But, where you really went wrong was when you were stupid enough to step into this circle. Do you really believe a tiny piece of silver is enough to overpower me?”