Page 45 of Demonic Division

Her words have an unwanted effect on me, and I reel back as that cord yanks painfully.I should go.

“Yes. I think that’s for the best.”

I turn back for the window, my wings snapping out to the sides as I jump to the ledge. Dagny’s stare burns into my back, taking in the tattered remains and the shuddering flight muscles around my shoulder blades.

Everything in me longs to look back, to gaze into her enchanting eyes once more—but I know it’s better that I refrain. All the same, my heart aches as I launch into the sky.

25

Dagny

I pullmy knees up to my chest, trying to ignore the violent tugging in my heart. Everything in me wants to go to Roark—to ease some of this pain. It’s worse than when I bonded with Cyprien and Lir. This time, something palpable pulls us together. If I just reach out, I’m sure I could feel it. Wrap my hand around that invisible line and let it lead me to the purple-eyed demon.

I close my eyes tight, cursing my actions. I had been so caught up in Lir’s embrace and Cyprien’s passion that I forgot about the danger I’m in. I dropped my guard. I allowed my senses to be dulled by the Welwig drink. I touched Roark’s stag,knowingsomewhere in the back of my mind that this would happen. But I did it anyway. And I only wish I knewwhy.

I’m not normally this impulsive. I take pride in making logical decisions and thinking before I jump. But ever since Cyprien showed up at the foot of my bed, it’s like I can’t think straight. Everything is upside down, and nothing makes sense. At least,Ican’t seem to make sense of it.

And if the bond is truly strengthening with eachdemon, I’m not sure what that means for my fate. What awaits me? Is it better that I’m bonded to three? Will Kaebl be less likely to dispose of me? More so?

I’m beginning to spiral when a familiar mewl cuts through the air. I whip my head to the corner of the room, surprised to find the same black cat stepping out from the shadows. Its molten eyes pierce through the dimly lit room as it stalks toward me, its hornlike ears pivoting side to side like little satellites with each silent step.

“Hello…” I keep my voice low so as not to spook it. The cat mewls, baring its pointed canines, then leans in. It brushes its head against my knee, a gentle purr rumbling in its throat. I long to reach down and run my fingers through its fur, but then I remember the interaction with Comet and keep my hands to myself.

The cat continues rubbing against me, and when that doesn’t work, it flips onto its back, presenting its belly to entice me. Tiny black paws fold into its chest, and the cat releases a pitiful mewl, bloodred eyes locked on my face, unblinking.

I shake my head despite the painful tug the action brings. “I’m sorry. I can’t.”

The cat hisses, springing onto all fours as its shoulders rise. The hair on its back sticks straight into the air like needles, and the creature releases a menacing yowl. Instead of running back to the shadows like last time, the cat springs toward the door. It brings a paw up, batting at the iron before turning its head over its shoulder, an expectant look shining in its eyes.

Confused, I push to a stand and follow the cat, stopping beside it. “What do you want?”

It smacks the door once more with a paw and mewls pitifully. Frowning, I reach out and touch the door, my eyesspringing wide as it opens effortlessly. The cat chirps, the tip of its tail flicking the air as it pads out of the room. It stops just past the threshold, turning its head as if to say, “Well, are you coming?”

“What the fuck…?” Shaking my head, I step into the hallway, my eyes searching the shadows for threats. After a few bated breaths, the cat chirps again and darts down the hall, leaving me with no choice but to follow.

I keep my steps as silent as I can as the cat leads me through the castle and up a large spiral staircase to the third floor. We walk down a long hallway that ends in a simple set of arched iron doors. The cat sits in front of them, its tail swishing gently against the floor as it lets out a high-pitched yowl. It looks back one last time before passing through the closed doors like it's made of smoke.

I gasp, wasting no time throwing open the doors to follow it. As soon as I step inside, the sconces lining the walls flare to life, casting the room in a gentle orange hue. Massive bookshelves line the walls, filled to the brim with ancient tomes and scrolls of parchment. The aged leather bindings lining the walls are faded and worn from time. Most, if not all, of the surfaces are cluttered with stacks of scrolls and covered with dust, and the large stone desk sitting at the center of the room is no exception. Carved from the same material as the rest of the castle, the table's surface is covered with handwritten pages of notes and symbols, penned in a language I’ve never seen.

The cat jumps onto the table, batting one of the papers toward the edge. It flutters to the floor, and the cat gives me an expectant look, prompting me to go over and pick it up.

Like the others, strange symbols and letters cover the page, none of which I can make out. I’m about to put itdown when I notice a small note written in the margins. I pull it closer to my face, trying to make out the scrawl.

Death is the only way.

A small arrow gestures to another symbol hand-scratched onto the page.The same one on the back of my neck. Cyprien’s bond.

I drop the paper like it’s on fire, stumbling back as the blood drains from my face.Oh my gods. M was right. He’s going to kill me.

I look toward the cat, who has remained eerily calm in this revelation. I’m surprised to find its gaze trained on mine, tail swishing the air coyly. Something is strangely familiar about the cunning tilt of its eyes. The way it sits there, seeming to know everything but waiting for me to figure it out.

“Did you bring me here to see this?” I ask, gesturing to the paper.

I don’t know what I was expecting—but it sure as shit wasn’t for the cat tonod.

“Are you… is your name Nya?”

Another nod.

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