Page 156 of Magic of the Damned

Dominic seemed reluctant to test the success of Helena’s spell, dodging the claws at the risk of giving Vadim an advantage when he had to correct his position to keep from falling. Frustration flicked over Vadim’s face as he lunged. Raising his hand, a surge of energy came from Dominic’s palm that plowed the vampire back into the crowd, inches from me. Vadim risked a look in my direction, and his fury poured over me.

In his moment of recognition, I became his target. His hand lashed out to grab me. Lunging out of reach for the closest thing I could use as a weapon, I grabbed one of the tools left behind. A wrench. Heavy and well made. Vadim’s grasp on my leg was met with me slamming the wrench down on his wrist as his hold on me tightened. His nails sinking into my skin caused me to cry out. Pain lanced through me. Another strike from me earned a simple sneer and a reminder of the level of pain they could endure. Before I could deliver more blows, Dominic was at my side, his claws slashing Vadim’s wrist until he loosened his grip on my leg.

Dominic tossed him across the room, but with a display of preternatural speed and fluidity of movement, Vadim recovered from his fall. Despite his need to keep his eye on the real threat—Dominic—I garnered a great deal of Vadim’s attention as he glanced several times in my direction, a covetous look spreading over his face each time. Dominic’s vicious response to release me from Vadim’s hold had exposed a weakness that he seemed determined to exploit. He could retaliate against Dominic by using me. Dominic closed the distance between them. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a wall of fire, encircling the vampire and trapping him.

The vampire roared in frustration and rage and rushed through it. His clothes on fire, he changed course toward the crowd of onlookers. A goal to cause the most amount of damage. Madeline whispered a spell, and a rush of torrent energy that felt like a gust of wind but wasn’t pulled from outdoors.

It smothered the flames. With claws and teeth bared, Vadim was a haze of movement barreling in my direction as I scrambled to get out of his line of sight. Dominic crashed into him, sending him back several feet, then raised his hands. A wave of energy surged from his palms, pushing the vampire back farther. In the burst of movement, I saw only a glint of the sword he’d borrowed from Anand’s sheath. He struck the vampire with it. Beheaded him. Handed off the sword to Anand with the easy transition of an act done countless times. Then he approached the body that still managed to keep standing erect despite missing a necessary component. A resilience I couldn’t imagine possible.

Dominic barely pressed his finger to the vampire’s chest, and seconds later, his solid form became dust on the warehouse floor.

Some of the supernaturals were gaping as they looked at Dominic. They seemed to be getting reacquainted with him—the real Dominic. The man with a harsh, unrelenting set to his jaw, the burst of vibrant flames in his eyes that faded to reveal ruthless amber, and each step that marked a brutality that personified his very being. They had gotten used to the kinder version.

Madeline approached him in the manner one would a feral animal. Stilled when he moved, ignoring her and coming to me. Warmth crept into his expression as he placed a gentle hand on my arm.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes.” He didn’t relax until I lifted the wrench. “I was just about to kick his ass. Glad you got to him first. He wasn’t ready for me.”

“Your leg. I need to see it.”

Pulling up the pant leg, he knelt to examine the angry red cuts. My leg throbbed, but since I didn’t have magic to inhibit it, I was left with the secondary problem. Razor-sharp nails embedded in my skin.

His rumble of dissatisfaction filled the space. A hand covered the wounds, a cool feeling wrapped over them, dulling the fiery throbbing. When he removed his hand, he looked disappointed at the marks that remained.

“It’ll heal,” I said. His expression showed a need to retaliate. But Vadim was gone.

When he stood, I gave his arm a reassuring squeeze. “They’re just small cuts. They’ll heal in no time.” I hoped I was right. If the nails were poisonous, could there be some aftereffect? I just hoped for the best. His fingers stroked my cheek, a soft comforting touch, but from the look he gave me, I suspected he wanted to do more but held back because of the audience.

“What?” he demanded through clenched teeth at Madeline, who’d inched closer.

Her voice was scratchy and soft, and absent was her typical aplomb and indignation. “Celeste cannot be handled in that manner.” Whatever showed on Dominic’s face when he turned to her drained the color from her face. “Please handle her with care. We need her alive. I believe we are close to finding a counterspell.”

“I will honor the agreement I have with you.” The apathy in his response didn’t instill any confidence in the witches. Concern and fear were naked on their faces. He huffed out a breath. “Have I broken any contracts with you?” His steeled gaze held Madeline’s.

“The prisoners were released,” she countered.

“That wasn’t my doing.” They both lobbed acetic glances in Areleus and Helena’s direction.

“They will honor it.” The threat threaded through his words. He kept his eyes on the two. And perhaps the remnants of violence and anger were lingering from his fight with Vadim, but his presence felt like coiled violence ready to be released. He gave them a look that promised retaliation if they disobeyed.

Areleus and Dominic glaring across the room at each other ripped away any fleeting hope I had of a reconciliation between them. It would never happen. When this was over, only one of them would be alive. Their posturing and scowls made no secret of it. That was the known, as well as where Helena’s alliance would fall in the aftermath.

Areleus tore his eyes from his son’s. “Of course, your wishes will be honored,” he said, donning a charming smile that hid the lecherous, power-hungry, untrustworthy lord. “That will be upheld. However, all other agreements must be voided.”

A sly smile crept over Helena’s lips. They were using this opportunity as a lever in preparation for Areleus to be the victor.

Unbothered, Dominic shrugged it off with an aloof smirk. “Do as you will. I will honor whatever is in place.”

His chilly confidence made his father’s expression morph into concern, tracking Dominic’s every move with a heightened awareness. Predator to predator.

Emboldened by the obvious discord between Areleus and Dominic, Madeline’s hubris had reasserted itself. “No changes to current agreements are needed. We will not return to you ruling us as if we were your subjects. Our autonomy is expected. We’ve had our share of problems, but they have been handled. We recognize that we must be more vigilant in squelching discord.” She sent a scathing glance at the group of Awakeners, who dropped their gazes from hers like chided children. “The new directives will handle those who break them in a manner that will satisfy the new addition to the Conventicle.” This was directed at the New Conventicles who shared their beliefs and wanted those who didn’t comply to be met with violence or retribution that would coerce compliance. Her informal inclusion was met with smiles and nods of approval from the New Conventicles.

“Those who have sided with the Dark Caster?” Emory asked.

“They defected. They will be handled accordingly.”

If they’d survived this battle, it would be for naught because they’d be punished by death. This was a cruel world that I desperately needed to abandon.

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