Page 79 of Dark Souls Academy: The Sacrifice

In my peripheral vision, Tila and her mates appeared to the left of me, weapons in their hands. Tila shook slightly, but her chin was high. No one wanted to be in Lucifer’s faction. He had too many powerful demons on his side, so they’d always be the grunts, the expendable ones.

“This isn’t going to end well for us. Be prepared for a fight,” Balthazar whispered.

If I died, they did as well, so I understood their reaction, but it still felt weird. Not too long ago, I wanted to kill all three of them. Still kind of did.

Lucifer’s face was almost angelic with the lights on him. When my mother taught me that the good-looking demons were usually the deadliest, she meant demons like him. The bastard needed a few scars. Shoot let’s just take his face off.

He made a big show about tapping his chin in contemplation. Everything was a performance to him. “I’ve changed my mind. Your king wants to believe in his people, so instead of the faction determining your fate right away.” He lifted his arm up to the left in a welcoming gesture. “My spies will. They know you. Spent time with you. Now, they control your destiny. Come.”

One by one, people I’ve seen in the hallway or in class walked on stage. No one from my faction, though. Some of them were lower-level Masters, which surprised me because Lucifer barely tolerated weak Masters. Why would they help him? Probably to save their own ass, but didn’t they understand that it would only buy them time? He’d eventually turn on them again.

One person that had begged to be in my faction was up there, and I was glad my instincts were right with that one. The fucker. All Lucifer did by showing us them was to put a target on their backs. I’d personally kill them all. These people were the reason Nati Demons got into the school, and why I could never have full control because they were hidden too well.

Okay, let’s move in. Potions ready. As soon as he’s done hearing himself talk people are going to start dying. We need to stop him before that happens.My voice was a little shaky from the adrenaline. The pressure to win was becoming crushing. So many people depended on this plan.On the count of three.I opened all the links inside of me, so they could all hear me. The sensation felt like I was drowning. I couldn’t do it for long, I’d eventually have to breathe.

Each group knows their assignment.

One.

Two.

Before I could say three, the last two people stepped onto the platform, and my world crashed around me. This changed everything. How was I supposed to say three now?

Demarcus and Lilah stepped into the group of spies with their chins held high.

“What the fuck is going on?” I didn’t care who heard me or about anything anymore. Not when my soul left my body at the sight. Did my best friend just fucking betray me?

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

My third eye activated without me even thinking. I ordered the energy into Lilah’s mind. The pink magic zipped around gracefully, but slightly blurred at the edges from my frantic mood.

I closed my eyes as the flashes of Lilah’s mind settled into me. Her memories of this morning where she gave her virginity to Demarcus, and he demanded her allegiance. I could feel her love and willingness to please him. Her worry for Brandon because he had disappeared two days ago. Her uneasiness for me played in her mind like a movie, but her betrayal was clear to me. Without Brandon or me around Demarcus had gotten into Lilah’s head. She had chosen him.

The back of my eyes stung and the hands on me from my mates couldn’t hold them back. My heart shattered into pieces, turning into ash at my feet.

This is what he wants, mate. Please focus. Lucifer is a master manipulator. He’ll knock you off your feet to grab onto them to drag you away.

I knew Bones told the truth, but I couldn’t stop the emotional overload.

Turn it to hate, Dreamgirl. Let the emotion fuel your power not hinder it. This battle is happening whether you can or not.Trigger’s warning slipped through the chaos inside of me.

I pulled on my demon magic to help with my emotions. She would numb the hurt, so I would only feel the fury raging inside of my blood, boiling it.

That son of a bitch is dead. I’ll kill them all if I have to.The venom in my voice could make a lesser being drown in their own blood.

Good.

I linked with my faction. Everyone except Demarcus would feel my call. They knew not to say anything after I opened the link, or it would hurt me.

By now, most of you see that Demarcus has betrayed us, so it’s safe to say, our plans are not a surprise anymore. The question to all of you is, are you still willing to fight? Lucifer will know who is in my faction, so regardless of if you don’t, he’ll come for you eventually. You stand with me, or you stand alone. I wouldn’t blame you for running, if that’s what you choose, but I hope you’ll stay and fight for your freedom.

I paused to let everyone think. I couldn’t sense them through a bond like this. It’d be too much.

These cowards better not?—

Bones. Don’t. This fight isn’t going to be easy. If any of them aren’t fully in the fight, we’re better off without them.The others were pissed. Their anger flared in the bond, lighting it up like a Christmas tree. They were the only ones I could feel, and they were already giving me a headache.

No one will get to the Haven. I’m staying to fight,Ark said, making me smile to hear him. They would know where the Haven was located now, so I was glad his group chose to stay.

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