Page 31 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Seven

Tarek taking his last breath. “Wait.” I gasp. “Wait.”

I keep watching as Lilith reaches over to him and pours her blood into his mouth while the star dies and then Danu stabs her.

And then I see.

“Angels.”

Chapter Fifteen

Lilith

“You’re both idiots.” Danu laughs and starts dragging me across the dirt. I see a body next to me that I assume is either the star or Tarek.

“Where are we?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “Where else? I’m going to feed on you, then feed you to the Fallen Angels in the Euphrates. They get quite hungry. Heard a rumor that even Medusa is down there, just sucking a Fallen Angel dry. Must be Hell for him, over and over again.”

I can’t move.

I’m strong but weak. By the looks of the blood on her lips, she’s probably already fed. I feel half-dead and can’t even save Tarek.

“What did you do with him?” I plead. “Is he okay?”

Danu laughs. “He’s currently enjoying time on the dirt, looking up at the stupid star he called, probably wondering in his death if he did the right thing. But, spoiler alert, all that did was make it so you got superhyped on star blood, which in turn just gave me more power. Some people are just idiots, and you slept with one. I hope you make a better choice the next time I wake you up for two days. Because, wow.”

It doesn’t make sense. The star should have given me unlimited power for at least a few hours. Did she already drain it?

Frowning, I touch my forehead. Why is it wet?

Wait. Her blood.

My skin’s hot to the touch. Danu isn’t paying attention since she’s busy dragging me through dirt and water.

I touch it again, and my fingertip burns.

My body is covered in dust and water as she tosses me toward the cave’s dark entrance.

This is it.

We failed.

And she’s going to survive again and again.

I have no knife.

I have no way of hurting her.

And my curse continues.

I press my hands against the earth and pause as rocks start shaking.

The power of the Earth. The power of a prince of the Earth. The star. I look up and grin. “Bet you weren’t expecting this.”

I slam my hands down so hard the earth beneath us begins to crack, causing an earthquake so loud and big that Danu starts screaming as it gives way beneath her feet.

“You’ll free him!” she yells. “You’ll free them both. Stop!”

I look up at her and grin, keeping my hands planted on the ground. “I heard he’s the worst Fallen Angel of them all. I heard Medusa hates you.AndI heard they have three more chained beneath this very soil. Try to survive the Ancients. I dare you.” Rage burns in my soul. This is what she deserves. And if I’m ended, what better way to go than with the goddess who wields what should have never been hers to control?

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