Page 42 of House of Demons and Bones

Then you’ll lose Rowan.

It’s okay,she said.I’ve had the best fucking time with him. No regrets. Let’s do this. Let’s end this motherfucker once and for all.

Tears tracked down my face as a desperate decision clicked into place.

If I could spare you, I would,I told Sy.You’re not my sidekick. You’re a force of nature and a lot more important than me. Remember what the oracle said about our separation? I think you’re the last pure drop of old magic, hiding in me since birth. Right under our worst enemy’s nose.

She inhaled sharply, her beautiful golden eyes misty.All this time, I thought I was protecting you. But you’ve been shielding me, and that shadow god never caught on.

If he had, he’d have absorbed Sy, and with her power, he’d have been back to his full power in no time, wreaking havoc.

Sy, one last favor,I said.

Anything.

I want you to leave me here in the past before I face him. This is our shot. Break away and get back to the present. You’re magic in its purest form. I want you to live, Sy. They don’t need another eater like me, but they need you. The world needs that spark to come alive again. Do it now—I know you can!

Fuck the world, and fuck the greater good,she spat.I’m not playing the fucking savior for anyone. I’ll gladly doom the whole world for you. So don’t ever ask me again to abandon you. And newsflash—I’m a bigger eater. Or did you forget how much you hate my taste for sentient snacks?

Warmth bloomed in my chest as profound love for Sy flooded through me.

But—I tried one last time.

You’re stuck with me,she said.We’re two peas in a pod.

I shook my head as the oracle’s words rang through me.“Where you go, no one can follow. Not even your soul sister.”

I won’t leave you, B. No man, no gods, and no mates come between us. That’s how it’s been and how it’ll always be. We’re soul-bound. You live, I live. You die, I die. Even death won’t tear us apart.

My eyes grew misty.

What are you waiting for?Sy asked impatiently.

After this, we won’t exist.

Then let’s go down with a bang!Sy said.

A war song thundered in our hearts, beating as one. Pride and love for my warrior soul sister filled me to bursting.

I stretched out my hand, calling forth my darkest flame.

12

Killian

Not holding back but giving her all, as if her life depended on it, Grace unleashed the most potent, seductive power she channeled from Lilith. Seduction sank into me, setting my blood on fire and clouding my mind with unbridled lust. I staggered.

Any other man, even the heirs, would succumb to this overwhelming compulsion that promised to sate all their carnal needs and deliver wild pleasure beyond imagination. But I wasn’t just any man. I was of the death god’s bloodline, and I had bonded an extremely powerful dragon from the only royal line. My beast snarled at the invasion, thrashing, fury burning hotter than his flame.

The Queen of the Underworld had bet that her ward, combining Barbie’s form and her star power, could bend my knees and entice me to her bed. They underestimated the bond between Barbie and me and my unwavering loyalty to my true mate.

A grave insult.

Grace’s eyes widened at her failure. Despite my rejection, she moved to throw herself at me, a last attempt.

I flicked a hand, caging her with my starlight and darkness. I didn’t even need to cover her nudity, as it meant nothing to me.

“Why?” she whimpered.

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