Page 17 of Demonic Division

All these fucking distractions…A deep crease appears between his brows as he brings his fingertips to his lips. Slaine is days from attacking, and we’re still no closer to reversing the sundering than we were eighteen years ago.

I pick a spot on the floor and stare at it hard. “And what if… what if that’s not what we want anymore? What then?”

Kaebl jerks, shock lighting his shadowed gaze.What are you saying, Cyprien?

“I’m saying that it’s been a long time since the sundering. Maybe we’ve changed our minds.”

He leans forward.You know it doesn’t matter. Whether you want it or not, it has to happen. We cannot defeat him otherwise.

I stare off into the distance, my jaw ticking. “What if there’s been another solution this whole time, and we never realized it? What if she’sit? I don’t feel like I used to, Kaebl. Ever since that bond snapped into place, I feel more alive. I’m stronger. Things are clearer and?—”

Enough!he commands, sitting back on his throne with a tired sigh.Enough, Cyprien. I don’t have time for what-ifs. We’re breaking this cursed bond with you and the human, and that is that.

With a snarl, I shove Lir off and rise to my feet. Kaebl’s reached his limit, and though I want to argue more, nothing I can say now will change his mind.

Lir follows my lead, keeping a wary eye on me in case I decide to lunge at Kaebl again. “Speaking of the bond…” Lir clears his throat, giving me one last warning look before turning his attention to the demon lord. “As far as I can tell, it should not have happened in the first place. Since Cyprien’s familiar is an extension of himself, it would only have chosen a true fated mate to bond with—one of equal power and ability.”

But Dagny is a human.

“Exactly,” Lir answers. “This is actually a good thing. I believe that Cyprien’s familiar got confused, and the bond between them isn’t a true one. Which means it can be broken.”

My chest squeezes painfully at Lir’s words, and thebeast within me rears up, bellowing a roar that has my ears ringing. Kaebl’s gaze cuts to mine, and a deep crease forms between his brows.

You heard Lir. This is a good thing, Cyprien. Your bond with the human is not real.

I clench my teeth, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. I pick a spot on the floor and stare at it, waves of heat and anger rolling off my skin.

“Well, then I’m sure he’ll figure out how to break it soon,” I say, though sadness aches in my chest at the thought. I don’t want to lose the little human—certainly not the way she makes me feel when my hands are on her. It’s more warmth than I’ve known in eons and better than any high the Welwigs could provide.

I decide, right then and there, that I have no intention of giving her up. She’s mine now—mybunny—whether she knows it or not.

Kaebl eyes me warily, a million different thoughts passing behind his eyes.She’s not yours to have, Cyprien.

I growl, clapping my hands over my ears. “Get out of my fucking head! Those aremy thoughts,not yours!”

He shakes his head sadly.I wish I could. I’m sorry.

I shake my head with a snarl. “If you’re really sorry, you can make it up by letting Dagny out of the dungeon.”

Kaebl snorts.I’ve heard her thoughts. As soon as she sees a chance, she’ll try to escape. You know this too, Cyprien. She won’t stay for you, no matter how much you want her to.

“You don’t know her!” I shout, my teeth lengthening to points as my control slips. “You don’tactuallyknow what she’ll do. You’re just assuming. Likealways.”

He jerks back, face pinched with hurt.My assumptions are always based on facts. And I would like to remind you thatyou don’t know her, either. You don’t know what she’s capable of.

“No! This isn’t fucking right, Kaebl. She’s not a criminal, and she’s not dangerous! She shouldn’t be kept down there. Have you really grown so heartless over the years?”

Kaebl’s eyes flick to pure gold as an ominous cloud of shadows swirl around his feet.You’d be wise to watch your tongue.

“Or what? You’ll lock me in the dungeons like M?”

As soon as the words are out, regret courses through my veins. I stand rooted to the spot, unable to move as Kaebl’s power freezes the very atmosphere. He climbs down the steps with leisure, the talons on his feet clacking against the stone. Where hurt should be swimming in his eyes, there is nothing but an endless golden void—but I know it’s there all the same.

This false bond to the human has clearly altered your mind. Since you cannot control yourself, you will go to the western lands and aid Roark in his defense. Lir will stay and guard the castle and continue his research.Formless fingers caress the insides of my skull with his command, and my skin shudders with the effort to fight them off.

My gaze hardens as I push through the last of the wispy shadows. “So your solution to this whole thing is to send me away?”

Kaebl just shakes his head.I cannot risk the bond strengthening more than it has. You have to understand, Cyprien.

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