Page 56 of The Curse of Blood and Silenc

“What am I?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

“Something that Balthazar should be very, very afraid of,” he said softly, reaching for me despite everything that had just happened. He pulled me into his arms, cradling my shaking body against his chest as my legs threatened to give out completely.

Enzo emerged from the smoke, his usually immaculate suit covered in debris, a thin trail of blood running from his temple where he had been struck. His eyes were wide with a mix of awe and wariness as he steadied himself against the wall.

Dimitri rose where he had been protecting Elena and Gianna in the far corner, his broad shoulders smoldering slightly where divine energy had caught him. He must have thrown them on the floor then shielded them with his body when the power exploded. Both women were pale but unharmed, clutching each other as they stared at me with newfound terror—or was it reverence? The vampire’s usual calm demeanor had cracked, revealing raw amazement beneath.

Luigi crawled out from underneath what remained of the bed, scowling as if personally offended by the debris. His face was ashen, hands trembling as he brushed dust and splintered wood from his clothes with sharp, angry movements.

Angelo stroked my hair. “That wasn’t demonic power, Serenity. I’ve seen demon power, and it burns red and black, corrupted and tainted.” His voice carried the weight of centuries of knowledge. “But blue flames? That was angelic power. Pure celestial energy. Holy. The kind that could burn a dark creature like Balthazar to ash.”

I looked up at him. “I’ve never felt anything like that before. What’s happening to me?”

“Your power is strengthening. Maybe Balthazar had something to do with that, but he couldn’t corrupt it. You’re too strong. Your father must be extremely—” He broke off, studying my face as if seeing me in a new light, connecting pieces of a puzzle he’d been trying to solve since we met.

“You mean I could kill Balthazar?” Even saying his name took energy I didn’t have. Weariness wound around me even tighter, making my thoughts as heavy as my limbs.

He shook his head, his expression grave. “No. Balthazar is only one level under Satan. Not even Michael the Archangel could kill him. But you might be able to banish him to Hell.” His voice carried the dark wisdom of countless lifetimes. “That’s why he wants your blood—angelic power as strong as yours could force him back to the Pit. He wants to possess you and corrupt that power before you learn how to use it against him.”

My stomach lurched at the word “possess”. The room spun slightly as the true weight of Angelo’s words hit me. I wasn’t just some random target—I was a weapon. One that could send a demon prince back to Hell. No wonder Balthazar had been so intent on binding me to him. “So that’s why he—” I couldn’t finish the sentence, the memories of what he’d done still too fresh—forcing me to heal Shannon again and again.

“I felt the darkness trying to consume me,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “But I fought it. I think it was my love for youthat kept me from going darkside, Angelo. Even in my weakest moment, it was you who bound me to the light.”

His arms tightened around me, and I felt a low growl vibrate through his chest. “You fought off a demon prince’s corruption. For me.” His fangs descended, possessive hunger darkening his eyes. “Let Balthazar come. Let him try to take you away from me.” He pressed his lips to my forehead, the gesture both tender and fierce. “He’ll see what happens.”

Enzo looked at Angelo. “But Balthazar will try and steal her. He’s not one to give up. Neither is Gage.” His voice hardened. “He desperately needs her to heal theLuparion Crystal, especially now that Trystan is on the hunt for him.”

“I know.” Angelo’s voice was heavy with grim certainty.

Dimitri glanced between us, his sardonic smirk deepening. “Well, this is a delightful plot twist. A demon lord teaming up with a wannabe wolf king. Gage wants to overthrow the current alpha, and Balthazar... what? Decided to play supernatural kingmaker for shits and giggles?” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Unless there’s something about wolf blood that our friendly neighborhood demon needs for his master plan.”

Angelo met his gaze. “My guess is that Gage summoned Balthazar and sold him his soul in exchange for his help in becoming king.”

I rubbed my slick forehead. “But Balthazar said that it was one of the four mafia kings who summoned him, not Gage. He just wouldn’t tell me which one.”

“Then we’ll have to find out which king bears the mark of a demonic pact,” Angelo said, his eyes fixed on me with new understanding. “Your angelic power—it can sense dark magic.”

“Finally,” Dimitri smirked, though his eyes tracked the swirling smoke with barely concealed unease. “Some concrete answers in this supernatural soap opera.”

My heart picked up speed despite my exhaustion. The air around me felt different now, and I tasted corruption on my tongue. A wave of darkness hit me, an oily slick sensation that made my skin crawl and my stomach swirl uneasily. I moistened my lips. “Something’s happening. I taste something foul, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

“Your angelic blood has gotten stronger,” Angelo said grimly. “Strong enough that it can detect demonic magic. The mark of Hell can’t hide from Heaven’s power.”

I looked around the room wildly, my heart hammering against my ribs. Everything felt heavy: my arms, my legs, even my eyelids. My powers, so overwhelming just minutes ago, were now as useful as a dead battery. “Demonic magic? Does that mean Balthazar came back?”

Pascal burst into the room out of breath. “We got trouble. Rankin and Hunter are here.”

As if one crisis wasn’t enough. Angelo’s expression darkened as he looked at Elena and Gianna. “You two go down there and greet them. Offer them refreshments. I want everything to look normal.”

“But Angelo—” Gianna protested.

He snapped his fingers. “Now.”

Elena clasped Gianna’s arm. “Come,ma chérie.”

Gianna grumbled and threw up her arms as she followed Elena out of the room. I envied their steady steps—even standing was becoming a monumental task.

Angelo turned to me, power radiating off him in waves that made my weakened knees want to buckle. “You, however, are staying put.”

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