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Fane Maverick was a disaster waiting to happen.
Dirgos dropped his glamour to put his full concentration into assessing the amulet, revealing those horns again. He gingerly lifted my shirt to uncover the sun tattoo and held his hand over it. His nails shined under the lights and appeared sharper than they had a minute ago.
Could they grow into lethal talons on his command?
My pulse elevated as I grew hot and cold, and it had nothing to do with the magical examination Dirgos had yet to begin. Being under a demon’s mercy made my muscles turn to stone and had alarms blaring in my ears. A dux demon, who clearly had some magical abilities, could overpower me in this vulnerable position.
Why the hell did I leave my dagger on the bedside table instead of stowing it in my boot?
Maybe Fane had called Dirgos here to rip the Infernal Sol out, killing me in the process. Maybe that was his special demon magic.
The cold, sharp claws of panic scraped over my shoulder blades as my breathing became shallow, and the edges of my vision dimmed.
Warm, callused fingers landed on my shoulders.“It’s okay. You’re safe, Teague. He’s just going to examine you. That’s all.”Thumbs gently massaged circles to loosen the tightness in my muscles.
A long, shaky breath blew from my lungs as Fane’s unusually calm, soothing voice spilled through my mind. A few minutes ago, I wanted to mutilate him for invading my head. Now I clung to his presence like a lifeline.
I hated him more than anything, but I couldn’t resist the comforting effect he had on me right now.
Fane continued massaging my shoulders as Dirgos started his assessment. The dux demon’s hand lowered onto my stomach, and he whispered words from some ancient demon language.
The air catapulted out of my lungs as pain erupted in my center. Fire seared my veins like hot lava had replaced my blood, and my back arched away from the ground. A scream tore out of my mouth, loud enough that Logan and Dirgos flinched.
Oh hell, this would split me in half. The Infernal Sol would either be destroyed or come tumbling out with my innards.
Ringing flooded my eardrums. My nails dug into the carpet, and white flashed over my vision, blinding and bright like lightning washing the color out of the world. A coppery tang spilled over my tongue, and my heart threatened to explode right out of my chest.
Just as I stood on the brink of destruction, the agony slowly dissipated and my vision returned, the living room coming into focus again. The piercing screech in my ears ceased.
Dirgos now held two hands above my torso, and the sun tattoo glowed a vivid scarlet, the same color as the stone that had vanished within me. Instead of being captivated by the luminescent tattoo, lines furrowed Logan’s brow as he studied Fane. The demon’s gaze flickered to me and then back to his friend.
Above me, Fane’s jaw clenched, the tendons popping in his neck as a line of sweat leaked down his throat, disappearing into his t-shirt. His broad shoulders strained beneath the cotton material. His fingers continued to massage my muscles, and his touch remained gentle, but his body had grown rigid and stiff.
“What’s wrong with you?”I asked through our mental link.
The demon shifter’s head lowered, hard lines carved into his face where most of the color had drained, leaving his cheeks pale. When his eyes met mine, my breath stopped at the anguish darkening them.
My pain had lessened to a dull throb while Fane seemed trapped in a cage of torment.
“The Infernal Sol is deeply ingrained in her,” Dirgos said, yanking my attention away from Fane. “But it’s power is still intact, faint as it might be.”
“Faint?” Logan’s lips pursed as he scrutinized the glowing marks below my rib cage. “Does that mean it’s lost some of its power?”
Dirgos shook his head, those spikes across his scalp so shiny they glittered like polished stone under the lights. “It’s dormant, but it’s recharging itself within her.”
“Howis it recharging?” Logan shared a worried look with Fane. “What’s it doing to Tate?”
Fane’s attention snapped toward the door, and his nostrils flared like a beast who scented an enemy. “Company.”
As Logan and Dirgos shot to their feet, Fane gripped my arms, hauling us both up.
“Get to your room,” he hissed, shoving me toward the hall.
As we bolted to the guest room, wood splintered, and the front door crashed open. Grunts, growls, and battle sounds echoed from the living room.
Karn’s demons had found us again.
“The window!” Fane slammed the bedroom door shut, dragged the heavy armoire from the wall, and tipped it against the wood as another barrier.
