Darker (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #6)(88)

He slapped me across the face, an open-handed smack that echoed in the large, open room. I tasted blood. My cheek stung, yet I couldn’t help but grin. The fallen angel was ashamed of what had occurred between us despite the fact that it had been solely power driven.

That shame fueled his anger. Falon grabbed me and viciously tore off my underwear. My attempts to struggle were useless in comparison to his strength. When he had me naked and quaking, he grabbed my hair tight and forced me to the floor on my knees.

“Whenever you’re ready,” he said to Lilah.

I caught Juliet’s eye and mouthed the words, ‘I’m sorry.’ I didn’t know what else to do.

For the first time since I arrived, Lilah acknowledged Shya. She sidled up to him with a confident swagger. She tugged on the silver restraints holding him until she’d forced a sound of distress from him.

“Now it’s your turn to play along, Shya.” She bent down so she could stare straight into his face. “You need both the wolf and the kid. However, you can only have one. I’ll let you leave here unharmed when this is all over. I don’t need to kill Alexa to swipe a little blood. She can be all yours. Or, you can opt for the kid instead. Your call. You choose who lives and who dies.”

“If you succeed in breaking your curse, there will be nothing to stop you from banishing me to the pits. Why should I believe you’d spare me? I know better.” Shya showed no emotion. He was calm, possibly too calm.

“Come now. You know I’ve had a fondness for you. At least, I did until you tried to take advantage of my curse and claim my throne for yourself.” Lilah tapped the dagger blade against the palm of her hand. She pointed it at Gabriel who glared hatefully at her. “I’m willing to spare you. After all, you have provided me with many comforts and protection over the years.”

“Break your curse. Then I’ll choose.” Shya was so relaxed, he might as well have been in a recliner rather than a hard chair with chains. Did he truly fear nothing?

“You think I can’t do it,” she hissed accusingly.

“I know you won’t do it.” Shya’s calculated grin revealed even white teeth. He was f**king with her, having his Cheshire Cat moment and loving it.

Lilah backed away with the dagger clutched in her grip. She spun around to face Gabriel, and I was certain in that moment he was dead. Then, she regained her composure and pinned me with her cold stare instead.

“Shift.”

I was almost happy to if it meant escaping the leering gaze of the vampire muscle. I slapped at Falon until he stepped well out of my personal space. The shift was fast and fluid. All I had to do was embrace the wolf, to let her spill forth and take over. There was a brief moment of exquisite pain and then freedom. I was wolf.

The strength of the beast filled me. I bared my fangs in a snarl, daring Lilah to come at me with the blade. She regarded me with wariness but not enough caution.

“Try anything, and Falon kills your sister.”

Like a good little minion, Falon moved to stand over Juliet, his pale eyes gleaming with anticipation. A growl rumbled in my throat. I glanced around, desperately seeking a way out of this. Jez stood stiffly nearby, watching with growing horror.

I touched Arys’s mind, needing something from him. ‘If I don’t make it out of here I need you to make sure Juliet does.’

‘You are making it out of here.’

‘I need to know you’ll keep her safe. Promise me.’

‘I promise.’

Lilah held the dagger ready in case I lunged. It took all of my willpower to resist.

“Over there. By the couch.” She circled around one side of the couch, waiting while I did the same opposite her.

As I drew closer, I realized that there was a circle. An energy circle, much like the one I had used to trap Falon, encompassed a giant pentagram on the floor. The people within the circle were confined, prisoners. They carried on with each other, completely oblivious. It dawned on me that they were the sacrifice.

An ugly sensation warmed my belly. This didn’t feel right. Lilah would use my blood and their combined death to set herself free. Then what? We’d all have cookies and tea?

The tall demon shadowing Lilah stood at the edge of the circle, holding it in place. He produced a gold chalice and handed it to her. He stood between the two upper points of the inverted star. If Lilah broke the curse, we would all suffer. I was a wreck trying to see a way out.

Every other person in the room seemed to shrink back from the circle. I wished to be among them. The demon began to chant, low and Latin. My hackles rose as my fear grew.

Lilah advanced on me with a renewed ferocity. Eager, she rushed toward me, each step bringing her faster. I braced myself, unable to predict what she had in mind.

“Hold still and this will be over in minutes. A shallow cut, that’s all I need,” she said, the gleam in her twisted gaze growing brighter.

She came only as close as she had to. Resting the dagger blade against my neck, she shuddered with excitement. I stared at Arys and Juliet. I loved them both so much, though I still hadn’t had a chance to reconnect with Juliet. If we got out of here, that would change.

The blade stung as it cut through my fur and flesh. The blood was warm as it seeped from the wound. Lilah was quick to capture it in the chalice. I tensed. This was it, the moment of truth.

Lilah lifted the chalice, sniffing its contents. I saw her consider tasting it. She resisted. Moving to stand at the bottom of the circle, near the point, she held the chalice ready, waiting. The demon continued to chant in a loud voice. Things were happening. I felt the earth tremble as dark powers in deep places began to stir.