Page 24 of Fated In Blood

I hoped I fucking ruined it when I bled out.

I kept my mind blank while I slid my working hand beneath the remnants of my tattered dress, hiding my fingers as I wrapped them around the hilt of my only remaining weapon.

Then, before anyone could react, I yanked the last knife from my sheath and dragged it across my throat.

14

BLAKE MARTEN

Bile clogged my throat at what I was about to do, but I was the girl’s best chance.

Tyrell would give her to Valaine, who would turn her death into a gruesome spectacle. The sick fuck would draw her suffering out as long as possible, and only when she stopped screaming, when her torment ceased to be amusing, would the bastard allow her to die.

I’d never shied away from violence, had done terrible things to protect my family and my species, but Valaine possessed a special kind of depravity, even amongst our kind. I knew from experience how twisted that monster was, better than anyone in this room.

I stepped away from Riordan, intending to help the girl to her feet, when she moved faster than I’d ever seen a mortal move. She reached down to push herself up, but instead, a blur of silver swept across her pale throat, and a sheet of blood painted the room red.

Bosch’s mouth dropped open, even Tyrell looked shocked, and the blond on his arm sank to the floor, her blue eyes wide with horror.

I knocked the knife from the girl’s clenched hand, her defiant gaze locking with mine for the final few seconds she had left on this earth.

Her mouth worked to get something out, some last plea, but only a froth of blood issued from between her lips, her broken fingernails dragging down her neck before she pitched into my arms.

For the first time since I’d known him, Laurent was at a loss. “How could she still have a weapon? You didn’t search her?” Beneath the coating of blood and dirt, Bosch turned ghost-white.

“I thought she used everything. Angel took her?—”

“Shut up, you fool,” Laurent snapped. But I barely heard him, too fixated on watching the girl fight to die, every bit as hard as she’d fought to live.

“I’m right here. I’ll be with you until the end.” She loosed a frothy sob, fingers digging into my forearm as if she was trying with all her might to stay with me, her broken wrist limp beside her.

My gaze wandered to the bloodstained blade.

The girl knew exactly what her fate was.

She’d understood her choices clearly enough to choose death, so death was what she’d get. I wouldn’t force the change on her, but I wouldn’t let her die alone in this fucking mausoleum. I pushed her tangled hair back from her face. “Almost over now, just a few more seconds, love. I know you’re strong, and brave, but you can stop fighting.” Christ, she was light as a feather in my arms. “Just let go, and this will be over in a few seconds.”

The comforting words I would have told my sister if I would have gotten to Cassmira in time. The words Cass would have deserved to hear, if I hadn’t been five stories below, trapped in Tyrell’s prison cells, waiting to die.

Her full lips parted on her final breath, a constellation of freckles standing out on her pale cheeks as the life flickered outof her face. She was lovely in death, peaceful, drained of all that consuming rage, sagging limply in my arms, those astonishing blue-gray eyes staring up at me the entire time, like somehow, we’d made a pact.

“Laurent.” The beautiful blond crumpled at his feet wept. “You said she’d become one of us. You can’t let her die.Please.”

“Turn her,” Laurent ordered harshly. “Or I’ll have Valaine do it. He’d enjoy having her as his, I think. She might even be strong enough to survive him.”

I cradled the girl closer, a growl rumbling in my chest. “That fucker so much as lays a finger on her, I’ll rip his arms from his body.”

“This is over, Tyrell,” Riordan hissed from behind me. “Whatever the fuck this is, it’sover. Your control only stretches so far, and you fucking know better than to push us right now.” Riordan’s voice was harsh, cruel, and absolute. He’d go up against Tyrell, but not for this girl…for me.

Just like before.

“There will be a day when you challenge me, pup, but not today. This is my castle. My kingdom. My game. Angel, my pet, go find Valaine. Tell him I have a special treat for him.”

The blond blinked up at Tyrell, her face a mask of confusion. “Is that the only way? I know I brought her here, Laurent, but Valaine…” She bit her lip. “Is he the only choice? She’s my sister, after all.”

“Stop. I said I’d turn her.” Riordan made a disappointed sound, but I didn’t care. I couldn’t go back in time. I couldn’t save my sister or any of the others, but I could make this one thing right. I could spare this girl the hell Tyrell would gladly deliver her into.

“Blake,” Riordan muttered warningly. “Don’t do this.”

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