Page 121 of Savage Claim

The demon attack at Kesa’s house was no coincidence.

“You sent those demons, didn’t you?” I mumbled through numb lips. “You orchestrated the whole thing.”

Ruin tore his attention from Barric, some of the darkness clearing from his gaze. “Unfortunately, it was a necessary evil. I knew if you were on the brink of losing all control, Fane would do anything to help you. I needed him to claim you to break the amulet’s hold enough to do this spell.”

“Dylan almost died.” Blood pounded in my ears as a cold sweat beaded my forehead.

“But you saved him like I knew you would.” He gave a casual shrug. “No harm, no foul.”

No harm, no foul?

He was out of his mind.

I thrashed against the chains as fury inundated my veins. “You’re a dead demon, Ruin! When I get out of this, I’m going to rip your throat out for everything you’ve done.”

Barric gave a disgusted laugh, his mouth curling in derision. “Do you see her? She needs to be put down after you get the amulet out. She’ll tell everyone what you’ve done. You can’t trust her.”

“She’ll be compelled to forget.” Ruin pressed his hand against my chest to hold me down. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t remember that you’re her father or any of your dirty secrets.”

“Will compulsion even affect her?”

“Once the amulet is out, she won’t be this powerful.” Ruin beckoned someone closer. “Stay out of the way, Barric. Attempt to kill her, and I’ll imprison you and have you tortured for the rest of your long life.”

Barric bared his teeth in a snarl that would have most creatures cowering in fear, but it didn’t faze Ruin. My father gave me one more repulsed look and backed out of my line of vision. This wouldn’t be the end, though. Bloodlust swirled in the air around him. The head alpha wasn’t one to give up, and he wanted me dead.

Chapter

Forty-Three

Nadia appeared by the table and held up a glass vial. “Is she ready for the potion?” A thick Romanian accent twisted around the witch’s words.

Ruin nodded. “Go ahead.”

As Nadia tipped the bottle to my lips, I pressed them together.

“Really, Tate? You’re going to be difficult?” Ruin sighed and gripped my jaw to pry it open so she could pour the potion into my mouth.

I sputtered and coughed as the bitter liquid oozed down my throat.

The witch’s copper strands drifted around her face as she began to chant, and magic penetrated the air. How many times had she lied to me about Ruin? And Nik too. He leaned in the corner, but he wouldn’t make eye contact. He’d known what Ruin was up to and never said a word. Why would he, though? His loyalties remained with the demon lord.

Sweat cascaded down my temples and wet my hair as Nadia’s power intensified, her dark irises blazing magenta from the magic. As the potion hit my system, the Infernal Sol stirred awake. My back arched off the table, and I groaned while heavy waves of magic wrapped around the amulet. Heat sizzled within me like lava spewing from a volcano.

The amulet did not like this.

Ruin lifted my shirt to reveal the sun tattoo as it glowed, searing my skin. I gritted my teeth against the whimper attempting to break free.

“It’s working.” He smiled, and if I had the use of my arms, I would have punched him. “You’re doing such a good job, Tate.”

“Go to hell,” I hissed, breathing heavily as pain infiltrated every cell in my body. For shit’s sake, it felt like someone had injected me with gasoline and then lit a match. If Nadia hadn’t put sigils around the room to block Fane, he would have definitely felt this, even in the witch realm.

Nadia moved behind me and rested her fingers on my temples. “Release the ancient power so strong. Will it to part from this vessel. Break the bind and unravel the twine.”

The air ripped from my lungs, and I cried out as invisible knives penetrated my flesh. The room spun, acid shooting up my esophagus. Painful pulses radiated from her fingertips and spread down my chest to my belly button. The sun tattoo blazed bright red, the color of fresh blood.

Ruin waved at Denton. “Bring it now.”

The alchemist marched to the table with an elaborately carved wooden box, opening it. “Proceed with caution, sir. The dagger works, but the amulet won’t go without a fight.”

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