Page 3 of Lifeblood

I wrapped my arms around her, my thoughts already whirring. “It’s going to be okay.” Not that I was sure I believed that myself. Because while I had the beginnings of a plan, it was ashittyone.

Maria shook her head. “No. Every year, it got closer and closer. Every year. Oh, Ava. I don’t—”

“There!”

Two demon guards appeared—both in their humanoid forms but armed with guns and magic. I could sense their dark demonic power and auras from here.

I put myself between them as they approached. “No.”

Three more names were drawn. Announced. But the only woman I cared about in this moment was Maria. Her kind, brown eyes, her calmness, hergoodnesswere not meant for these horrific demon kings. And in short order, she’d be taken away and none of us would ever see her again.

“No!” I shouted as the guards approached. Sonia wailed again and Maria clung to my shoulders.

“Step aside,” the taller of the two guards ordered. His eyes were grim, his jaw severe and locked.

I considered my options. Icoulduse my magic to blind the guards and anyone nearby. Maybe Maria and I could disappear into the crowd and run. We would still be tracked by whatever magic the demon kings used to track women. Maybe I could dispel that somehow. But light magic was reserved for only lifebloods, children of the divine, and it’d out me right away. Thatwoulddraw attention from Maria, though, and…

Fate. A sense of knowing settled deep in my gut. An acceptance so sure and raw that I found my breath stilling. Resolve building.

I’d spent my entire two hundred years of life terrified of the Demon Courts and their kings. Their power and control. But for the first time, that fear might have put me in a position of power.

I pried Maria’s hands off my shoulders so I could turn to face her. Taking her hands in mine, I squeezed them tightly and looked her in the eyes. “You’re going to be safe, Maria. I promise. Stay with your family. Live. I love you all.”

Her brow creased. Tears streamed down her red cheeks. She looked confused and scared. I understood. “What?”

I held her face in my hands. “You’re going to be safe.”

She shook her head. “Th-They called my name. They’re coming. They’re—”

I let go of her face and wrapped her in a hug. Behind us, the heavy footfalls of demonic soldiers sounded closer and closer. Time was up. “Knowing you has made my life so full. This is the least I can do to thank you for that.”

Maria still looked confused. Piper and Sonia were clutching each other. As the guards finally reached us, I pulled myself from Maria’s grip and turned to face them with whatever remained of my resolve.

I held up my hand. “Stop. I’m who you want.”

“Out of the way,” the taller of the two said. He was skinny but outfitted with kevlar. He reached out to shove me away from Maria, but I gripped his arm.

“You wantme,” I argued. “I’m—I’m a lifeblood. The last.”

The guard stopped only long enough to laugh. “And I’m Dracula. Out of the way, bitch.”

His partner flanked me, his eyes set on Maria and her family. “Say your goodbyes quickly.”

I pulled the guard’s arm. “I’ll prove it. Give me your knife.”

“Ava!” Maria yelled, sounding equal parts concerned and confused. And scared.

Of course she was. Not even Maria had known that I was a lifeblood.

The taller of the two guards leveled me with a look that sent cold ice straight through my body. His dark eyes swam with living shadow. This close, I could just make out the demonic aura around him starting to swim into a hidden, monstrous form. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

Panic swept through me, melting the ice into nothing but frenetic thoughts. I held out my arm and pulled up the sleeve of my jacket. “Then cut me yourself. My silver blood is all the proof you need. But I’d suggest you not spill too much or your kings will have your head.”

My hand shook as it hung there between me and the guards. They looked down, clearly thinking I was crazy or trying to kill time. But I held my arm there, waiting for them to see for themselves.

The shorter of the two guards, a bulky man with red hair, held my gaze for a long time. “Oh, for fuck’s sake.” He sighed and drew his blade.

“You don’t want to be wrong about this, trust me,” I said. “Take me instead of Maria. Instead of all the women this year.”

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