Page 78 of Devour the Dark

He can feel his edges fraying, his body shifting. Where once this was a power he wielded against his enemies, now it’s a power he seems to have forfeited.

The witch vibrates with excitement.

Let me devour them whole.

He’s trying to collect himself, but it’s like gathering sand through open fingers.

Devour them or kill them, either way, the outcome is the same.

He sees the Myth Maker nod, and the guard at Wendy’s side readjusts his grip on his blade.

He’s going to kill her.

He can’t have them, but he must save them.

“Wait,” he calls.

The truth doesn’t matter, he realizes. They’re better off without him. He’s a monster, after all, and monsters don’t get happy endings.

He can save them. Right now. Right here.

“I give in,” he says.

He can’t see the witch trapped inside of him, but he can feel her smile.

Finally.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

WENDY

Everything happens all at once.

Firecracker is a blurred ball of fur tearing through the conservatory. Then he launches himself at the Myth, claws out.

The Myth shrieks as Firecracker latches on her face, scraping at flesh, hissing as he does.

“Get. Off. Of. Me!” The Myth yanks the cat from her face and tosses Firecracker aside.

He lands on his feet, thank god, and disappears behind a dead potted plant.

The Myth huffs out, a dozen scratches welling on her face.

Just in time for a blade to sail through the air and thunk into her eye.

Asha bounds into the room.

Relief floods through me as fighting breaks out.

But Roc…

He’s hunched forward on all fours. He’s shifting. Or caught somewhere between man and monster.

He’s shaking like he’s chilled to the bone.

The man at my side whips his arm back, slicing open my throat.

Blood wets my skin.

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