Page 19 of Crown of Blood and Vengeance

A violent snarl ripped through the air, followed by savage scratching that made my skin run cold.

“Don’t call out to Angelo,” Balthazar’s voice cut through my reverie, sharp as a blade. “They can hear you.” The threat in his words chilled the lingering warmth of Angelo’s phantom touch.

I opened my eyes, forcing myself back to this hellish reality. My hand trembled as I placed it on Steve’s chest, feeling the faint beat of his imprisoned heart. “I’m sorry—Tenebris Velare.”

My body trembled as power stirred in my depths, writhing beneath my ribs. My mouth opened of its own accord, and an invisible force clawed down my throat, reaching into my chest to pull forth my essence. White stars poured from my lips, swirling around Steve like a miniature constellation caught in a whirlwind.

Pain ripped through me as if those invisible claws had shredded my insides. I doubled over, clutching my middle, the agony stealing my breath. Tears burned at the corners of my eyes, threatening to spill.

“Not quite,” Balthazar said, his bare feet silent as he circled Steve and me like a wolf sizing up wounded doe.

Steve had faded to a ghostly outline, but he was still there—another failure, another potential price to pay.

Someone came alongside me, and the scent of sweet spices wrapped around me like a familiar embrace. Julienne. Her cool hand rubbed gentle circles on my back, a small comfort in this hell.

“Balthazar—” Her voice held a warning.

He held up his hand. “Silence.” His long fingers caught my chin, forcing my face up to meet his gaze. “I can still see Steve. Second lesson begins now.”

As I slowly stood up, Julienne clasped my arm, her grip gentle but insistent. “You need to sit down.”

I shook my head. I refused to let Balthazar torture Steve or even Julienne. Not because of my weakness.

“I’m fine, Julienne.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, and from the way she tightened her grip, I wasn’t fooling anyone.

“Good,” Balthazar said as gestured toward Steve with one elegant hand. “Try again.”

I moistened my lips, bracing for the horror to come. “Tenebris Velare.”

The same clawing sensation reached down my throat, scratching me with long fingernails, ripping through my insides like barbed wire. The same white stars erupted from me, whirling twice as fast as before, a violent constellation that swallowed Steve whole until he vanished into the whiteness.

“Ah, I knew you could do it, beautiful. Your power is growing. You did this on your second try.” Balthazar’s praise circled around me like a caress that promised pain.

But the anguish was twice as savage, the pain a hot knife gutting me from within. My legs buckled beneath me, but Julienne caught me before I hit the ground. Her steadying touch reminded of different arms, of how Angelo had never let me fall.

Angelo, find me.

The silent plea echoed in the hollow spaces where my power had been torn away.

Bam Bam Bam

Wood splintered and angry snarls grew louder, the sound of hellhounds hungry for victims.

“Why do you defy me?” Balthazar gripped my chin hard enough to bruise. “He can’t help you.”

I wasn’t sure, but beneath his rage, I caught something else in those otherworldly eyes—fear. Fear of Angelo? No. But perhaps of losing his grip on me, of having his prize stolen away…

Julienne helped me to the sofa, her touch still blessedly cool against my fever-hot skin. “She did what you wanted, Balthazar. Why was it so important for her to cloak Steve?”

Balthazar shrugged, the casual gesture at odds with the tension crackling through the room. “Because a client requested a favor.”

I sat taller despite the pain punching my insides. Dread crawled up my sore throat, nearly choking the word. “Who?”

“Maximo Barone. He asked me to kill someone for him.”

The blood drained from my face, leaving me light-headed.

Not Angelo. Not Angelo. Not Angelo.

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