Page 56 of House of Demons and Bones

“Fine,” Rowan snapped. “I don’t want them sniffing around Sy any more than you want them courting Barbie. It’s bad enough that Sy has to share space with her. Makes me sick watching Sy get played while she sits in the dark with no life, and Barbie just bounces around living it up.”

What the fuck?

Sy bobbed her head, biting back hot tears, as if her lover could see her. I rolled my eyes at her dramatics.

Bouncing around living it up? He had no fucking clue about my burdens. My enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike. The druid and his brotherhood cult were still out there, hunting me. Grace and her minions, including my former Underdog supporters, aimed to make my life hell, though they were failing at every turn. The Queen of the Underworld posed an even bigger threat as the mastermind behind many nasty plots against me. I’d been looking over my shoulder constantly ever since that demon queen set up the sixth house in the academy’s backyard.

I’m watching your six,Sy said.

Before returning to campus, Killian cloaked our mating bond. He worried about Queen Lilith discovering it before his plan was set in place. He refused to risk me before he believed I could go toe-to-toe against his ex-betrothed.

For once, I didn’t care that he hadn’t mentioned how or when he would break up with her. I didn’t need a public announcement. He wasmine,through and through.

His dragon grunted.Once we eliminate the threats, Killian, you need to announce our true mate properly!

Tyson kept Hades’s heir in check, my interests close to his dragon heart.

“This isn’t about screen time between Barbie and her sister,” Killian snapped. “The God of Ruin will soon come in person with his army, and we need all the heirs to win this war and protect our mates. Our forefathers divided, but we can’t afford the same mistake when we have a common enemy. I need you to back me up and work your charm with the other heirs. Don’t screw this up.”

“Who’s the one screwing up everything, asshole?” Rowan shot back. “You’ve got nerve lecturing me. Your arrogance truly has no bounds. No wonder you need me to get the rest of the heirs to listen, since no one likes you. Not even Cade now.”

He’d dropped his amiable act toward Killian since their duel. He understood why Killian had forced him into a death match, but understanding didn’t mean forgiveness. He tolerated Killian now only because Sy and I shared a body.

“Just go get them,” Killian said. “The stakes are high. We might have to fight enemies on two fronts. You want to protect our mates or stand here berating me?”

Rowan shook his head in disgust but left to summon the other heirs—after demanding to see Sy first. She surfaced eagerly when I gave her control. The two locked lips, going at it for two and a half minutes until Killian and I put a stop to it. If we hadn’t, they might’ve fucked right there in front of us.

These days, people had no shame.

While I briefedUnderhill about the classified meeting, Killian posted up at the entrance, waiting for the other heirs to arrive. Both he and Rowan had agreed to my proposal of meeting in Underhill, the safest place for dark secrets. I’d promised them Underhill would welcome all the heirs and play the courteous host.

“What’s the emergency?” Silas swaggered up.

“Rowan wouldn’t spill,” Cade said. “I bailed on my budget meeting for this.”

“This better be worth it,” Louis grunted. “I was feeding when you dragged me here to stand outside Underhill like an idiot.”

Feeding? I wondered if he was banging some bimbo while drinking from her veins.

“Will you stop whining?” Rowan snapped. “We’re meeting here because no one can hear us inside Underhill.”

“Like Underhill would let us in,” Louis scoffed.

Last time, Underhill hadn’t just tossed him out—it had maimed him when he chased after me.

I strolled out, my hands in my pockets, my curls bouncing.

“Underhill agreed to host and let you in,” I said, eyeing Killian. “But?—”

“You’ll all swear a blood oath first.” Killian picked up the line.

The heirs narrowed their eyes at him.

“What blood oath?” Silas demanded.

“To share and keep each other’s darkest secrets,” Killian said.

Silence stretched. Every heir had skeletons in their closet.

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