Page 58 of Crown of Blood and Vengeance

Tears flooded my own eyes, distorting the world around me as Angelo seized me into his powerful embrace. His lips crashed onto mine with a ferocious hunger, an insatiable need that screamed of countless nights spent scouring the depths of despair, of an unyielding determination that had dragged him through hell and back. I dissolved into him, my savior, my unyielding fortress, as the fractured fragments of my shatteredexistence finally snapped back into place with a resounding clarity.

A surge of raw energy detonated within me, a power I had never imagined I could wield. Desperately, I wrapped my fingers through his long hair, driven by an urgent need to confirm it was truly him and not Balthazar. Yet every fiber of my being screamed the truth—my heart recognized him, my body was certain.

He broke off the kiss, but our bond thrummed between us like a living thing. “I’ve got to get you out of here.”

“My mom...” But the words died on my lips as I saw it: a sphere of pristine light dancing behind Angelo, defying the very darkness of hell itself. The pure white radiance pulsed with my mother’s essence, with every moment of love we’d ever shared.

“Your love brought her,” Poison whispered, wonder breaking through her usual fierceness. “Love conquers darkness. Always.”

“Julienne.” Vlad’s voice cracked with centuries of longing as he rushed into the room. Like Angelo, his clothes were tattered, hellfire burns scoring his ancient flesh. But it was his face that struck me: nothing like the composed headmaster I’d heard ruled the academy with quiet authority. In his place stood a warrior prince of darkness, raw and desperate, ready to claim his queen.

He materialized beside Julienne’s still form in a blur of vampire speed. The anguish in his eyes made something in my chest ache. Dracula himself, brought low by love. His hands trembled as he clutched her shoulders. “Wake up.”

“Kiss her,” Poison pointed toward Julienne. “Trust me.”

Vlad brushed his lips over Julienne’s, a kiss as gentle as moonlight. White light bloomed from where their lips met, rippling outward like waves of starlight, chasing away the dark spell that had imprisoned her. The very air seemed to lift, shimmering with ancient magic as color flooded back into herpale cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open, clear and bright as if waking from a hundred years of darkness.

“Vlad.” His name was like a prayer on her lips. “Vlad.” She slipped her arms around his neck, her movements fragile but desperate. He lifted her into his arms as if she were made of precious glass, cradling her against his ravaged body as centuries of longing crystallized into this single moment.

Angelo clasped my hand, his grip fierce with urgency. “We have to get out of here before we’re ambushed.”

“Mom, follow me.” I glanced over my shoulder, watching as her luminous soul pulsed in response, dancing after us like a star torn free from heaven.

The scene in the hallway made my blood freeze. Enzo, Dimitri, and Keir stood with swords drawn, their blades streaming with black demon blood. Bodies of fallen demons and hellhounds littered the floor, their flesh still smoking. The harpies perched on broken pillars, their magnificent wings and deadly talons dripping darkness, their black eyes gleaming with promised violence.

Balthazar lounged against the wall, looking almost amused by the carnage in his domain. His casual posture couldn’t hide the lethal power that burst around him like an explosion. “You’ll never leave here alive.”

Chapter

Thirty-Two

Angelo

I shoved Serenity behind me,my sword raised with lethal intent. Every muscle in my body coiled tight, ready to spring. There was no way I was going to lose her again. The sword might not kill Balthazar, but I’d make damn sure he’d feel every strike.

Vlad materialized alongside me with Julienne and Poison. Like Serenity, Poison’s wings were unleashed, their holy light flooding the living room and revealing the true extent of our carnage.

Death and mayhem had transformed Balthazar’s living room into a scene from the darkest nightmare. Black blood soaked into the leather couches, dripping onto the floor like tar. The broken bodies of hellhounds and demons lay scattered like macabre decorations. Keir circled the perimeter, his vigilant eyes scanning for new threats while Dimitri knelt to examine one of the fallen creatures. Nearby, Enzo wiped his blade clean, the black blood smearing across his already stained sleeve.

The harpies crouched by the front door, their massive wings spread wide, talons gleaming with fresh kills. Nothing would get through them.

But Balthazar was right. Nothing was getting in, but we weren’t getting out.

He headed over toward Vlad, stepping over a dead hellhound with a predatory grace. “Vlad, it’s so good to see you again.” His voice dripped with false warmth. “I propose we make another deal, a deal you can’t refuse.”

I crowded Serenity away as Balthazar approached Julienne and Vlad. Enzo caught my eyes and moved smoothly toward us, positioning himself so Serenity was sheltered between our bodies. A silent understanding passed between us—to get Serenity, they’d have to go through both of us first. If I could get her to one of the harpies, they could spirit her away to where Trystan and his wolves waited.

“Don’t do it.” Julienne’s voice shook as she clasped Vlad’s arm, her other hand pressed against her head as if fighting old memories. “Please, not again.”

Balthazar’s smile spread like oil across water, but his eyes blazed with hatred. “I wouldn’t interfere if I were you, Julienne. You interfered last time, something I haven’t forgotten.”

“Stay away from her.” Vlad stepped in front of her, his power erupting around him like a storm of ravens, dark and deadly and hungry.

“Make the deal, and I’ll allow you and Julienne to leave here. The terms would be the same as last time—kill indiscriminately and I will reap the souls.”

“Raphael won’t allow that,” Poison blurted, her wings flaring with righteous anger.

Balthazar tilted his head like a wolf sizing up wounded prey, a lazy smile playing on his lips as he tapped his chin. “He’s not here to stop me, is he angel?”

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