Page 19

My shadows have barely any force to them as I spar with the demon, letting Sera lead the charge, until three more demons shimmer into view behind them. More blue bands. Catori must be getting antsy that we’re no closer to completing this mission than when we started.

I move past Sera, taking one of the higher-ranking demons for myself. They’re no match for me. None of these demons possess the power to defeat me or my brothers. Lennox and Hynde especially, who are the oldest and strongest in our group.

The sky flashes—white, pink, yellow—as both demon and witch strike to defend and disarm. Grunts of pain permeate the air as I see one, then another demon evaporate at the hands of Sera and the new witch who fights with them. The black wolf takes down a demon, then another shimmers away before Jett can deliver a defeating blow.

The air is thick and muggy as the fight winds down, teetering on the edge of victory. A second of relief before it all comes crashing down. At first, I’m not sure who attacks me or where. My knees crash to the ground as I clutch my chest. It’s only when I hear Sera crying out, rushing to her sister’s side, that I realize it’s not my pain I’m feeling. It’s hers.

Sera kneels beside Sloane, hands pressed to her side where they quickly stain with blood. The gray wolf throws himself at one of the demons, swiftly tearing at his throat and sending him back to Hell. The giant beast whimpers as he takes Sloane’s other side, nudging her hand with his snout, not stopping until she threads her weak fingers through his fur.

“What do we do? Celeste? What—what do we do?” Sera’s voice falters, tears soaking her cheeks as I stumble over to her.

“What happened?” I wheeze, the pain still choking me as I crouch behind Sera and cocoon her body with mine, careful not to touch her. The connection demands I make contact and comfort her, but I’m hesitant to feed the desire when we still don’t know what it means. Every time we touch, it feels stronger.

“One of them got her with this,” Celeste says, holding up a small blade. The edges are coated in a metallic silver elixir, as well as fresh blood. A demon mark is etched into the hilt. “We need to cleanse her, then complete a blocking spell before we can stitch the wound.” Orange light glows from her palms as Sera’s head drops to her sister’s side, her hands trembling as they glisten with blood.

Fuck.

I can’t fight the pull. My hand runs over her back, clutching her waist as I speak gently in her ear. “She’ll be okay.”

Sera sucks in a breath. “Nix?”

Liquid heat pumps through my veins when she says my name. “Say it again,” I beg, as my hand flexes over her soft skin.

“Oh, Goddess, I see what you mean. Strange magic, indeed.”

Strong hands pull me back, and I’m too high on lust to fight it. My vision clears as Jett repeatedly smacks my face, bringing me back from wherever my mind had traveled.

Sera’s green and gold eyes stare at me with a longing that’s becoming all too familiar. Fuck, what’s happening to me?

“Do you need help with her?” Lennox gestures to Sloane.

“We look after our own, thank you.”

Lennox steps back with a nod as Celeste helps Sloane to her feet, wrapping an arm behind her back. “Sera, get the car.”

She doesn’t move, still kneeling in the dirt with her hands coated in blood.

“Sera. Now,” Celeste commands.

Len gently wraps a hand around Sera’s bicep and pulls her to her feet. My chest constricts as I wait for both the gold magic to appear and for Len to get his hand off my witch, but nothing happens.

Sera gives Len a tight smile before she stumbles on her feet and disappears through the cemetery gates. Celeste follows while the wolves flank Sloane’s other side.

The air is cold and quiet when it’s just the four of us left.

“What the fuck was that?” Hynde spits, glaring at me.

“I don’t have control over it,” I argue. “I’m trying.”

“We’re here to find the witches who can break the curse, not get fucking cozy with them.”

“I’d like to see you fight it,” I shout back.

“This curse probably chose you because you’re weak. When we find the witches, we break the curse, then we kill them. Don’t forget that, Nikolai.”

“Fuck you, Samson,” I hurl his human name back at him.

He sneers then lets his shadows pull him into nothingness, probably slipping back to Hell. He hates missions up here, hates anything human.