Page 65 of House of Demons and Bones

Rowan frowned. “Who’s Sherlock Holmes?”

“A genius detective from popular crime novels,” Cade said, then gave me a stern look, failing to copy Killian’s ruthlessness. “Not good enough, Barbie. I expected a lot better from you.”

“Cade,” Killian warned.

“This is what went down,” I said. “Bayrose offered herself as a sacrifice to some powerful creep for blood magic. She turned herself into a Fury just to weave that curse into you, making sure you couldn’t have any relationships. And since she was a virgin? Double the power.”

“Obsession leads down dangerous, dark paths,” Louis said.

“Who’s the sick fucker that helped her pull this off?” Silas snarled.

“I’ve got a suspect,” I said, riding high on certainty.

“Who?” they all demanded.

“Who else? The rogue druid!” I shouted. “And this isn’t me throwing shade because I hate his guts. He made human sacrifices in the ivory tower basement. He’s got blood magic experiments down to an art. The creep tried to get his dark hands on me too, wanted me as a sacrifice since I’m so powerful.” I shuddered, and Killian pulled me against his chest. “Bet you anything he started his experiments ages ago. That’s when Bayrose found him.”

“That druid spent years lobbying in my court,” Cade said through clenched teeth.

“We still can’t track him,” Killian said, “even with all our forces.”

“Someone powerful is hiding him,” Louis said. “We’ve searched every kingdom. He isn’t in CrimsonTide either.”

“Every kingdom except the Underworld,” Killian said.

“Only you can go there, Killian,” Cade said.

Killian’s face darkened. The Underworld should have been his—he was the rightful heir.

“I can enter the Underworld too,” I said, flexing my fingers, “though I’ve never been there physically.”

“Lilith hijacked Barbie’s mind and dragged part of her into the Underworld,” Killian revealed.

The heirs sucked in sharp breaths before rage blazed through them.

“What?” they called. “We know Lilith is powerful as hell, but since when can she do that?”

“Lilith’s mind power is unmatched,” Killian said. “She can invade anyone’s thoughts, but Barbie beat her at her own game.”

Tyson puffed out a stream of fire, his rage at the demon queen tangled with pride in me. Killian’s dragon was possessive and overbearing, but his loyalty ran deep.

“Don’t eat or drink anything in the Underworld,” I warned. “I’ve got rich experience down there. If the druid’s hiding out there, I can lead a strike team to break in and haul his evil ass back here for justice. I’m done lying low. Time for me to lead, or I can be second-in-command, especially with enemies closing in and the biggest threat at our door.” I flashed a savage grin and Sy smiled, appreciating this new me. “No hell gate can stop me. No door or ward can block me.”

“You aren’t going to the Underworld,” Killian said, his face grim, fear sparking in his storm-blue eyes. “I forbid it.”

“I know you’re worried,” I said. “I appreciate it.” Killian eyed me with suspicion, since I usually didn’t play nice. “But I’ve got to go, probably soon.” I decided to dump more of my secrets. “The oracle said I must venture into the Underworld to win this war. I can’t ignore her prophecy anymore. I was scared shitlessof what she predicted and what would crash down on me, but running won’t fix anything.”

“You met Lady Moirai, the Maiden of the Wicca oracles?” Cade asked.

And then everyone was speaking?—

“What did she say?” Rowan demanded. “Every detail matters.”

“None of us met her,” Silas said. “She bailed on Barbie’s murder trial.”

“Lady Moirai came to my house with Lilith,” Killian said.

“Fuck secrets!” Louis snapped. “We promised no more hiding shit from each other.”

---