Page 112 of Bound in Blood

A vampire barrels toward me, teeth bared, the scent of my blood thick in the air. I duck out of his way, dodging his heavy frame, and wince as sharp pain lances through my side.

I am right here with you, Chosen One.Anikêtos’s deep voice fills my head, and the gust of wind at my back tells me he is right behind me.

What about the others, Ani? They need the Dragonfyre to stay safe.

Elpis is healed enough to sustain the circle.

Such a shame Dragonfyre can’t kill a wraith.

It can kill everything else though.

Yes it fucking can. I raise my palms and flick my wrists, dousing my hands with Dragonfyre. The hordes of vampires and warlocks that come charging through the trees are no match for Anikêtos and me as we lay waste to the forest around us, along with every living being within it. Thankfully, the animals who call this their home all seem to have evacuated earlier. Screams of agony fill the night air, and the undead crumble from shadow to ash. But they slowly reform again, and there will be more. The wraith opened the crack in the veil, and only his death will close it. The burning forest warms my skin, flames licking at my feet as I plow on, channeling the air around us to quicken my pace.

I stumble over a rock and fall into the path of a grinning warlock. He raises his sword and is about to bring it down when I regain my footing and dive forward, sliding headfirst between his legs before flipping onto my back, where I place my hands on his calves and watch as the Dragonfyre engulfs his body.

Ani, you still with me?My breathing is harsh and ragged, my heart beating frantically in my chest.

Until the end, Dragon Healer.His words bring me comfort despite the inevitability of what’s ahead.

The wraith is waiting for us, his shadowy form ghosting through the ruins of the ancient stone church. My powers are limited here on sacred ground.

What do you need me to do, Ophelia?Anikêtos asks.

Just be here with me, Ani. Don’t try to stop what’s about to happen, okay? It’s the only way.

As you wish, Dragon Healer.His usually gruff voice is gentle.

But its soothing quality is quickly forgotten as the wraith’s unholy screeching pierces my ears. I can decipher its words now—perhaps because he wants me to. “I knew you would come, Chosen One.”

I stand beside the crumbling altar that was once used for pagan sacrifices and lean on it for support as the pain in my side grows more intense. “Come to kill you and close the veil.”

His laugh is a squall that threatens to burst my eardrums. “Such arrogance from such a pathetic little girl.”

I roll back my shoulders and watch his shadowy tendrils slither over the stones around us. He grows closer. “We’ll see just how pathetic I am when I take you down, asshole!”

“It astounds me how a creature of your apparent power has no sense of self-preservation. Giorgios would have allowed you to live at least. You could have reigned by his side. But I have no need of you now that the veil has cracked. I will find another power-hungry vampire to fulfill my earthly desires, and you, Ophelia Hart, will fade into obscurity. There will be no one to mourn your passing. You will leave this world as you have lived in it. As nobody.”

Chapter

Fifty-Seven

ALEXANDROS

15 MINUTES BEFORE THE LIGHT GOES OUT

Ilook at all four of my sons, incapacitated and in need of my help. Never in my long, long life have I felt so helpless. But there are more answers I need from Lucian.When did you taste Ophelia?

I used to watch over her. To make sure the Skotádi didn’t find her. When she was five, she cut her finger on a broken bottle at the playground. Her foster dad was too busy flirting with any woman who looked his direction to pay her any mind. She was bleeding pretty badly, so I helped her. I must have gotten some blood on my finger. I wasn’t careful enough. It was an accident.

And you felt her power then? From such a small taste?

I couldn’t have not felt it.

And you protected her?

His body surges upward, and I have to fight to hold him down as a vicious snarl pours from his lips. I watched her!

Okay. I believe you. Please lie still so you can heal.

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