Page 60 of Angel Betrayed

So trust was truly a lie for them both.

He released her and stepped back. “Fine, but ladies first.”

She glared at him. But, after a slight hesitation, she brushed by him and took the knife from Mateo. Mateo touched her lightly on the shoulder, and Sam saw the witch inhale a sharp breath. Mateo’s eyes met his.

Succubus. Mateo mouthed the words and grimaced.

Mateo had been burned, quite literally, by a succubus once upon a time.

“How does this work?” The knife glinted in Seline’s hand.

Mateo cleared his throat. “I just need a few drops of your blood. Stand over the mirror and let them fall onto the glass.”

Seline gave a grim nod. She braced her legs apart and stood just over the mirror. Mateo crouched near the glass and whispered the last of his spell.

“Now,” Mateo ordered.

Seline took a deep breath, then she sliced across the tip of her left index finger. “Just a few drops, right?” The blood dripped onto the mirror.

Mateo’s body jolted. His eyes went blind as he cried out.

Then he started to shake. Hard tremors rattled his frame. A gust of wind swirled through the room, and a deep crack raced across the ceiling.

Seline looked at Sam with wide eyes. “Is this supposed to happen?”

No.

He took the knife. “Mateo!”

The witch fell back. Mateo sucked in great gulps of air. Sam caught sight of the deep claw marks on his arms and back.

Sometimes, you had to pay a price for seeing the future.

With this job, Mateo’s debt to Sam would finally be paid in full.

Sam had killed for the witch. Wiped out four coyote shifters. Now it was Mateo’s turn to face the dark.

Sam’s left hand wrapped around the witch’s shoulder. “What did you see?”

Seline began to sidle toward the door. Sam glanced up and pinned her with his stare. “Going someplace?”

“What?” She shrugged. “Look, whatever your Mateo buddy saw, that couldn’t have been good.”

So she was already preparing to run away? “You aren’t leaving.”

“Oh, no? Well, you need to?—”

“Az comes for her.”

Mateo’s gravelly voice had Seline halting.

“He seeks her now,” Mateo said, voice weaker as he tried to straighten. “He won’t stop until he finds her.”

Well, well. “Why?”

Mateo looked up at him. “Death.”

“He already promised me that sweet deal,” Seline fired, sounding very aggravated. “I told you this.”

---