Page 42 of Of Nine So Bold

At Valeria’s nod, a gray-haired man among the human survivors took the boy. The older man’s dark eyes tracked us while he led the boy away, his intent gaze not leaving us even as sobs began to escape the younger one’s lips.

I did not care for the way that gray-haired man was watching us. Reproach lived in that gaze, and only the fact the old fool was not worth my energy kept me from growling.

But would he have preferred we let him die?

Lars took the judgment more to heart, however. Closing his eyes with an expression of regret, the blond man turned away. He said nothing as Clay put a hand to his shoulder.

He’s never liked killing,the broken one murmured, sympathy radiating from him.

The emotion was strange and foreign to me, as was the entire concept that upset them. What did it matter if helikedkilling or not? Protecting Gwyneira was the point, and killing our enemies had accomplished that.

If they hadn’t wanted to die, they shouldn’t have threatened my mate.

Dismissing the blond man’s bizarre reaction, I turned my attention to my princess. In my arms, she was motionless, her chest still, her heart not beating.

A shudder crept through me. Death had not taken her. I would not allow it.

“Demon.” Dex’s voice was carefully controlled. “Is she…”

“Tell me she’s not dead,” Clay demanded tightly.

Shivers crept through my muscles. “No, she is not dead.”

Clay nodded, though worried looks still passed among the others.

I did not care. My words would be true—because if they were otherwise, I would hunt her down in the afterlife, bring her back, andmakethem be true anyway.

“Here.” Ozias strode closer, extending his arm. A quick swipe of his blade across his wrist left blood welling in its wake.

She did not stir when it dripped onto her lips, nor when I carefully opened her mouth and let it fall onto her tongue.

Fear gripped Lars’s voice when he spoke. “A-are you sure she’s not?—”

“No.” Ozias glared at him briefly before turning his attention back to Gwyneira. “I would know if she was gone.”

His fist clenched, urging more blood to flow from his wound. “Drink, little mate. Wake up.”

I bit back a snarl. She wasmymate.

His too,the broken one pointed out.

Shut up,I snapped back, not caring how ridiculous it was to respond.

Dex, the twins, and Byron came closer, their eyes trained on her. Nearby, Casimir stood with Ruhl at his side. The vampire’s eyes were closed, his brow furrowed as if he strained after something. A moment later, he cursed under his breath, opening his eyes once more.

“Nothing.” A desperate note clung to his voice. “I cannot hear even the faintest breath or heartbeat from her.”

Fear grew on the faces of the giants.

“What do we do?” Clay asked.

I racked my mind for an answer. I was the demon, after all. I would know.

I could not think of any solution.

“Lower her down,” Byron said. “Gently.”

I tensed. Yes, I traveled all this way for him to use his magic to help her. But releasing her from my arms was asking for something else entirely.

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