Page 105 of Kiss of Magic

“It was an appalling tragedy. One I have had much time to reflect on. I am deeply sorry for the suffering we caused.”

Kam’s disbelief turned to rage. Fury tightened his chest and he could barely speak.

“Sorry? You’re fuckingsorry?”His voice shook. “Even now we’re paying the price for your arrogance. Countless people have suffered and died because of your mistake. I don’t think ‘sorry’ comes close.”

“No. It does not.” The angel spread his hands. “There is nothing I can say except it is over. This time, for good. The key has played her part. The demons are gone forever.”

“And it only cost an innocent witch her life,” Kam said bitterly. “I expect the angels thought that was a fair price to pay when they came up with the plan.”

Zeferestiel tilted his head.

“There was no other way. Her wiccan blood is what nurtured and powered the light. When she released it, the witch was destroyed. That was inevitable. But…”

“But what?”

“This innocent witch that you speak of. She wasn’t wholly a witch, was she?”

“Why in the seven hells does that matter?”

“There was a reason we sent the Angelus Coven to the mortal realm. We intended them to crossbreed. Produce hybrid offspring. This witch was part-human. And humans are far more resilient than you think.”

Fifty

England

Dani lay sprawled on the altar stone like a broken doll. Her eyes were closed and she wasn’t moving.

“Blue!” Blake shook her. “Hey, Blue, wake up!”

Nothing.

In desperation he grabbed her wrist and felt for a pulse. Though her skin was still warm, nothing fluttered beneath it. He lay his head against her chest, clinging to hope however small. But he already knew what he’d hear.

Silence.

Dani was gone.

He didn’t accept it. Couldn’t. He climbed onto the stone beside her and started compressions.

“Come on, Dani. Come on.”

The rest of the coven gathered behind him. He saw pity on their faces as they watched. He didn’t give a fuck.

“You are one stubborn woman, Blue. Now quit messing around and wake up!”

Her head lolled each time he pressed down fruitlessly on her chest. In desperation he tilted her chin and tried mouth-to-mouth. But every breath he pushed into her lungs went unanswered.

Lenore lay a hand on his back, perhaps to comfort him, perhaps to draw him away. He didn’t care. He started chest compressions again.

“Mr Blake.” Lenore’s voice was gentle. “Mr Blake, she’s gone.”

“She hasn’t. She can’t have. Come on, Blue. Show them they’re wrong.”

“Mr Blake. Please stop. It’s over.”

He knew she was right. But admitting it was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. He gathered Dani’s body into his arms and held her.

“I’m so sorry, Blue.” He kissed her face, her eyelids. “I should have let you run when you wanted to. I shouldn’t have tracked you down.”

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