Page 92 of Night of Death and Flowers

I pause, not knowing what to say. “What would you have me do, Calista? The Harvest can only have one winner.”

“Break the rules.”

I smirk as she grows closer, her hands running over me in an obvious manipulation. Against all my instincts, I push her away. “You’ll have to try harder than that.”

“I know you have a heart under there,” she says, bringing her hands to my chest, my heart racing under her splaying fingers.

I lean down, bringing my lips to her ear, “I told you before, Poison. Don’t make the mistake of thinking I am good.”

“I don’t think that,” she points out. “None of us are innocent, but I believe that behind the monster lies just a man who is deeply hurt.”

My eyelids flicker, her touch suddenly so uncomfortable that I would tear off my skin to be away from her. I step away, my jaw clenching in warning when she attempts to get close again. “You do not know me.”

“You’re afraid.” Her words shoot through me like an arrow.

“I’ve never been afraid,” I warn, but she invades my space again, shadows tearing from her fingers, evoking my own.

“Liar,” she hisses.

“What about you, Poison?” I ask, and her eyes darken. “What are you scared of?”

“You,” she admits, then lifts her dagger between us, and I lean into the blade. “Is that what you want to hear?”

“Are you trying to seduce me?” I ask and drag my thumb over her plump, red-rose lips. “So I will free your friend from his oath?”

Her chest rises and falls as her breaths grow uneven. “Is it working?”

I draw nearer until her lips are only an inch from mine. My hand slides around the back of her neck, and I hold her still, my gaze piercing into hers. “Don’t tease me if you don’t plan on doing anything about it,” I whisper hoarsely, my resolve crumbling with a brush of our lips. She tiptoes, her eyes closing. “Because I will not hold back.”

“Then don’t.” She licks her lips, her fingers waltzing to my thighs, and I struggle in a breath as she lifts my shirt, her icy tips contacting my skin.

Her shadows dance around us, heightening my own powers. Does she even know what’s happening to her? Her magic is out of control.

Goosebumps prick over my arms when I hear footsteps dragging through the wet leaves. I almost missed it, over the sound of my thumping heart.

“Quiet,” I whisper, the focus returning to her eyes.

My lips part as the sister walks out from the trees. They’re finally here.

THIRTY-SIX

Calista

The world falls away when I see Arabella running toward us.

My eyes swiftly sweep over her, checking for any damage. Relief settles into my bones as I see no visible signs of injury. “Ari!”

“I found you,” she blurts, choking on a sob as she falls into my open arms. “Oh, Cali. It was awful.”

Tears slide down my cheeks as I hold her so tight I wonder if she can breathe. “Where are the elders?”

“Dephina’s in the caverns. I escaped,” she whispers, wiping her tears with the back of her hand as she withdraws. “Where did you get this?” She asks, admiring the lacy dress Death created for me.

My gaze flicks up to Azkiel, who is observing us intently.

“That’s not important.” I pull her at arm’s length, my hands planted on her shoulders. “What happened?”

Her eyes trickle to Death, her bottom lip wobbling slightly. After a few seconds, the quiver in her lip steadies. “Dephina took me to the caves.”

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