Page 5 of The Curse of Blood and Silenc

At first, nothing. Then—a spark.

Tingling sensations skittered across my skin, raced down my arms, danced along my spine. My breath caught.

“Come on,” I hissed, fingers curling into fists. “Come on!”

The spark ignited. Power surged through me like wildfire in my veins. Every nerve ending crackled with energy. My body felt too small to contain this force.

I gasped, my eyes flying open. The world looked sharper, brighter. I could feel every molecule of air around me.

It was both exhilarating and terrifying.

I turned to the barred window, heart pounding. This was my chance. Possibly my only chance.

“Angelo,” I whispered. “Watch me fly.”

The energy surged. Nothing happened to the bars, but suddenly, heat licked at my back. I spun around, my heart in my throat.

Shitshitshitshit

The quilt on my bed was engulfed in flames, hungry tendrils of fire reaching for the ceiling. Smoke billowed, thick and choking.

“No, no, no!” I coughed, my eyes stinging.

As panic flooded my system, my concentration was broken and my powers slipped away. The warmth drained from my limbs, leaving me cold and shaking. That incredible strength, that sense of invincibility—gone in an instant.

My knees buckled as the last whispers of power faded. I was empty, hollow, utterly drained—and now, helpless in the face of the inferno I’d unleashed.

Noxious smoke filled my lungs. The unbearable heat was closing in from all sides. My eyes darted frantically around the room, searching for an exit that wasn’t there.

What had I done? I’d wanted freedom. Instead, I’d created my own fiery tomb.

The door swung open with a bang. Gage stood there, his eyes widening at the inferno before him.

“What the hell?” he growled. “Fire. FIRE!”

He seized my hand and pulled me out of the smoke-filled room. I twisted, trying to get away, but he was too strong and easily slammed me up against the wall, his hands at my throat. His long fingers squeezed tighter and tighter, cutting off my air.

Tears sprang to my eyes as I batted at his hands, but he didn’t loosen his grip. His gray eyes turned gold, and he released a growl that stopped my heart.

“Were you trying to burn down my home, Nephilim?” he snarled.

I didn’t answer, just kicked and scratched, but it was useless. He shook me violently. “Do not disobey me. Do not resist. I am your master, and you will stay here. If not, the DuPonts die. Remember that.”

As suddenly as he’d grabbed me, he dropped me to the hardwood floor. I fell in a heap, sputtering and gasping for air.

I looked down the empty corridor, wishing I could speed away and escape. But something told me the DuPonts were here, too, and I couldn’t leave them to die. Aside from Angelo, they were my only family.

As I lay there, my throat still burning and my body still aching, despair seized me. It appeared I was only able to control my abilities when Angelo was present. His presence and belief in me gave me confidence, almost like a shot of adrenaline. My feelings bubbled up inside me like a volcano, exploding into frustration. I wanted him so badly.

Tears streamed down my face as I curled myself into a ball on the cold, hard floor. The intensity of my longing for Angelo overwhelmed me. It was more than a desire to feel safe orprotected; it was as if a part of me was missing. The void left by his absence left an almost physical ache deep in my bones.

Angelo, where are you?

Chapter

Three

Angelo

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