Page 69 of Fate and Fury

“What I had to,” the Vila said, lifting her chin. “You’ll thank me for it, when you’re yourself again.”

The dreadful feeling that Katerina had had for weeks—that a disaster was bearing down on them—settled on her chest like a weight. “That’s no Shadow,” she said, spitting each word at Elena. “That’s a demon. And you—you are damned.”

Fury filled Elena’s pale face, congesting it with blood. “Sammael is my friend. He’s been among us all this time, impersonating Alyona to guide me to the truth about the two of you, and has never hurt a hair on anyone’s head. He’s loyal, which is more than either of you can claim.” She pointed an accusatory finger at them. “I saw you together, after the demon attack that injured Alexei. You’re a servant of the Dark, Katerina. You’ve witched Niko. And you’ve underestimated me. I have power now, just like you. I’m strong. And I will win him back again.”

Hearing Elena confirm her suspicions—and hearing that the demon had been walking among them, no less—iced Katerina’s blood. It made her even sicker to see that Elena had conspired to have a demon shapeshift into a Shadow, perverting a Dimi’s most sacred bond.

“My gifts come from the Light,” she said, her mouth dry. “That creature may look like a black dog, but he’s no more than a soulless worm. He’s using you, idiot. Is it possible you’re really this much of a fool?”

“I am not a fool!” Elena’s fists clenched at her sides, one of them knotting so tightly in the dog’s fur that the animal swiveled its head, giving her a reproachful look. “You’re the fool, Katerina Ivanova, to think you can subvert the ways of our village, waysthat have stood for centuries. Niko is my husband. He’s meant for me. And Sammael is proof of my strength. You’re blind if you can’t see that. And your blindness will be your demise.”

Katerina opened her mouth to reply—then shut it as another demon emerged from the trees, impeccable in a black suit, a smirk lifting his lips. She recognized him: This was Gadreel, the creature that had commanded the soldier who nearly killed Alexei. The demon that had threatened to tear out Niko’s heart.

Behind her, Niko snarled again, his energy shimmering with the first hint of his Change. His voice sounded in her head, harsh with rage.I owe this bastard, Katya, for Alexei and for you.Say the word, and I’ll kill him.

Hold, Katerina sent back.

Her Shadow’s breath was ragged as he fought for control. “Elena,” he said, “you don’t want to do this. I’m here of my own free will. Stop it while you can. Call your demons off.”

Elena laughed, a high girlish giggle, brushing her hair back from her face. “Don’t be silly, Niko. Gadreel isn’t mine. He’s quite nasty, really.”

The Vila was on a first-name basis with two demons—including one that had threatened Niko’s life—and she thought she was on the side of the Light? There was only one explanation, as far as Katerina was concerned: Jealousy had driven her mad. Elena had lost her mind.

Gadreel leaned against a tree and crossed his legs at the ankles the way Niko had earlier, his arms folded across his chest. He looked Katerina up and down, his gaze assessing. “The Vila called me nasty. You once called me demon filth,” he said to her and her alone, as if they were on their own in the clearing. “Should I be offended, or flattered?”

Was heflirtingwith her? “Be whatever you like,” Katerina said through her teeth. “It’s no concern of mine.”

Don’t talk to him,Niko sent, low and urgent.It’s a trick, a trap. We have to get Elena away from them, no matter what she’s done. Let me Change, let me fight. You can get her away?—

Katerina shook her head.She’s not worth it. And no matter what, I won’t leave you.

So stubborn. Let’s hope it doesn’t get us killed.He stepped forward, pulling his charm around him like a cloak. “Elena,” he tried again, his voice coaxing, “we can work this out. Come here, away from the demons. Come here to me.”

“You come here.” There was an odd, sly note in her voice that made Katerina’s skin crawl. “Come here, away fromher.”

From his position against the tree, a respectable distance from the rowan-fires, Gadreel laughed, an unnerving, sharp-edged sound that ended in a cough. “This is all very amusing, Sammael,” he said, directing his words to the dog. “Have you nothing to add to the conversation?”

The black dog’s body morphed, sliding effortlessly into the form of a tall man with bright hair in a shade that resembled Katerina’s own. The scent of cloves rose, lifted on the heat of the fires. It reminded her of the cider that the villagers made each fall, culled from the apples that graced the orchard. Then, the scent meant comfort and companionship; now, it made her think only of deception and death.

Sammael shot a possessive glance at Elena before his gaze settled on Gadreel. “For once,” the demon said, his tone wry, “our goals are aligned. There stands the witch you covet, next to the Shadow who rightfully belongs to my Vila. Avail yourself of the one, and I will happily claim the other.”

Niko’s mind-voice was thick with disgust.Grigori scum?—

“Oh, I intend to.” Gadreel straightened, brushing invisible dirt from his hands. “But first—I admit to being most curious as to what you have in mind. You associate with this useless, weak creature. You debase yourself for her sake in the form ofan animal. I cannot imagine what debauchery you are planning next, but whatever it is, kindly get it over with. The smoke is most irritating, and I have a Dimi to make my own.” He winked at Katerina.

His arrogance pushed her over the edge. “You want me? Come and get me, then.” She strode toward the boundary of the clearing, her magic spurring the fires higher.Now, Niko,she sent, and his satisfaction echoed through their bond.

With pleasure, my Dimi,he said.

“No!” Elena’s voice was shrill. By the gleam of the Blood Moon, Katerina saw the Vila slip a hand inside the neckline of her shift. When she withdrew it, she clutched a knife. “Mine,” she hissed at Katerina. “You are mine to kill.”

Katerina almost laughed; Elena could no more wield a blade than she could summon fire. But then the Vila’s lips pressed together in a pale line of concentration. The knife left her hand, spinning toward Katerina, borne onward, impossibly, by the force of Elena’s will.

“What—” she managed, stunned.

Katerina!Niko’s mind-voice reverberated with terror, a second before his body collided with hers, knocking her out of the way. Eyes fixed on the weapon, her Shadow flung himself in front of her, still in human form, a growl ripping from his throat. Elena cried out in horror as the blade sank deep into his chest and stuck there, handle trembling.

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