Page 84 of Monsters of Desire and Nightmares of Passion

Ashole turns his head to her and nods. Damn, I was right.

“I’m not here as the Shadow Prince. I’m here as the mate to the last anchor. I know you want her blood. However, our blood has mixed with hers and our blood is now one. You can use me as the sacrifice so long as you give me your word you’ll leave my mate alone.”

Ashole studies me, measuring me from head to toe. I know my real appearance scares him to death, and he’s trying to compose himself and stand his ground in front of me. This is not our first confrontation. I’m well acquainted with the old spirit that possesses the body standing in front of me. We are old enemies, and his new incarnation has limited knowledge of the power that slumbers inside its meat suit.

Ashole considers my proposal. “Are you offering yourself to me, you and all the Shadows from your mating bond?”

“I’m offering myself. That should be enough.” I lean closer to High Priest Ashole, and he takes one step back. I can smell his fear. He chose the body of an average-looking man to be his vessel, a man who is not tall and is slightly out of shape. The spirit of my enemy could have chosen a better host.

“The ceremony won’t work with just one. How many are alive in your bond?”

Mrez step next to me, his rage matching mine. “I’ll join my mating brother in death if you give us your word if you’ll leave Ivy alone.”

“Two Shadows?” Ashole paces. “Aren’t we blessed by The Dark Lord? Anyway, you have a deal.”

“You play with powers you don’t understand.” I had to threaten him. “What do you know of The Dark Lord?”

“More than you ever will, little man.”

I start to say something but refrain from doing so.

“Enough chatting,” said Ashole. “If you came merely for a conversation, I’ll send my men to grab Ivy. And they’re high, so I have no idea what else they’ll do to your pretty anchor.”

I flash my teeth. I want to rip off his head and make him bleed. “As I said, you can have us, but don’t you dare touch Ivy.”

“It’s nothing personal. I just want the blood. It’s a business deal.”

I lean closer to him, my tall body making him shiver with fear. “The exchange of blood is never just a business deal.”

Nonetheless, it’s done.

My old enemy calls out to his people. I feel their gazes tracking my moves. Two scared men approached Mrez and me with chains in their hands. As much as they try to remain cool, I feel and taste their fear. It nourishes me and makes me stronger, although this is a kind of useless strength I’ll never use. I stretch out my hands and the men wrap the chains around my wrists. They used real iron that begins to drain my strength like leeches would blood.

The fire around me loses meaning. The chanting sounds like waves in my ears. My only regrets are that Mrez must die as well and that I’ll never see Ivy again. How much I long for that one last kiss that we should have shared, but destiny was against us. The entire concept of the ones with the sight was doomed from the beginning. The union between me, a real Shadow prince, and the one woman from the strongest bloodline of the ones with the sight, should have been a blessed one. Only it is not.

Instead of being the savior of my people, I’m their downfall.

I bow my head, ignoring the pain in my chest, and allow the guards to pull me to the altar to the cheers and boos of the crowd. Ashole promised them salvation, eternal life, and strength beyond imagination. They will get it. The power of The Dark Lord is real.

The red headed witch dances to a sound I can’t hear, her golden dress sparkling in the moonlight. Holding on to the blessed iron knife, she walks slowly toward me. She smiles and her power, her magic, slip into my mind. She’s a strong witch. Shining in her slender fingers is the artifact blessed with darkness that will kill me and condemn me into the Nothingness.

Maybe I’ll get to see Khal again. He’ll be upset that his sacrifice was in vain. Thinking about it, maybe it’d be better not to see him again. I don’t want to see the disappointment on his face and then fight his ass.

My eyes close and I blend out everything. My mind becomes empty, clear of everything. Not everything. I see Ivy in front of my inner eye. Ivy, with her pouty lips and sweet smile. Ivy as a sweet kid learning how to hold a sword and fall into position. Ivy in the classroom. Teenage Ivy and me, running around in the night, climbing trees, and challenging each other.

Kissing her.

Holding her.

Knowing I won’t ever love anyone the way I loved her.

Sweet and soft, strong and stubborn. She was all I ever wanted, all I ever could wish for.

Ivy

Was this a bad dream or some type of trip? I’m in the same bed inside my lake house that I shared with the guys.

Powder lands on my chest with a thud, his sharp little claws digging into my skin. His big orange eyes fixate on mine. His pupils are hypnotic.

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