Page 70 of Princess Avenged

What could be worse than them killing Phil?

My stomach ties into a knot. Of course there’s worse. Based on the things Rasputin did to me, not to mention what he threatened to do, I know full well there are things worse than death.

“Is there any good news?” I ask, suddenly feeling desperate to hear some.

“The dagger—” Zuben nods toward Blade. “You tell her.”

“The dagger,” Blade says. “The one Rasputin stabbed Phil with?—”

“I was the one who found a picture of it in the books.” Flame squeezes my shoulder, and I smile at him, loving the obvious pride in his eyes.

I turn back to Blade. “What about the dagger? Do we even know where it is?”

“I do,” Zuben says, and then his eyes flick toward Phil, who turns the other direction.

“We think it could be the weapon we need to kill the demon,” Blade says. “The weapon described in the texts is a sword, not a dagger, but it has the same markings and design.”

“That does sound like good news.” And if Zuben has this dagger, why hasn’t someone killed the demon already?

“Thing is…” Blade rubs his head “…we have no clue how to get the demon out of Phil so we can kill it.”

“And since Phil is a vampire…” My thoughts keep racing. “Can the demon be killed with a weapon that can’t kill its host?” Or worse, can the demon be killed without killing Phil too? I keep that last question to myself.

“There are a lot of unknowns.” Blade squeezes my leg. “That’s why we need to consult the magic keepers.”

“Okay,” I say slowly. “When are you leaving?”

“Sundown,” Ember says. “Or we could…” She looks into my eyes with obvious questions in hers, and I realize what she’s suggesting.

I hate the idea in so many ways, but it does make sense. Time is of the essence. “If Blade feeds from you, you can leave during daylight hours.”

“Bingo.” Ryker makes a gun shape with his fingers, clicking his tongue as he points it toward me.

Ember shifts forward in her seat. “Ana, I think you should come with us. You can feed from me too.”

I consider her offer. Ember is not only a witch, she’s a very special one—the vampires’ illuminant—and any vampire who feeds from Ember can walk in the light for at least the following twenty-four hours. Feed from her often enough, and a vampire becomes lambent, able to walk in the light all the time. Ember’s powers are a massive secret in the vampire world. Outside her mates, very few know.

When the whole mess at DEFTA erupted, and Octavia’s secret underground prison was located, I didn’t even tell my father about Ember’s powers. She fears, understandably, that someone in the vampire world might try to use her.

“Ember will be safe here,” Crusher says boldly. “I’ll make sure Phil doesn’t go anywhere near her.”

“Me too,” adds Flame.

“I won’t fucking hurt her.” Phil growls, and we all turn toward him. “I can barely hear the demon anymore. I think I’ve got the fucker tamed.”

“Really?” My heart swells with happiness. I cross the room slowly, my urge to be in his arms overpowering, like I’m fighting the powers of a current that wants to sweep me toward him.

“Careful.” Crusher steps between us.

“I’m fine.” Phil says. “Stand the fuck down, big man.”

Crusher turns toward Phil. “You’re the one who told me not to let her near you.”

Phil shrugs. “I’m better now. Can’t believe Rasputin couldn’t fight that thing off.”

“Phil!” Pushing past Crusher, I dive into his arms.

The moment my body is pressed against his, I feel like I’m home, like I was lost for a thousand years and finally found my way back to where I belong. Phil’s heart is thumping loudly, faster than usual, and his arms tighten fiercely around me. A little too tightly. Clearly, he’s been missing me too.

---