Page 34 of Thorn of Sorrow

Life had been brutal back then, but at least it had made sense to me. I’d known who I was, reveled in battle, and had never concerned myself with matters of the heart.

Because I hadn’t possessed one.

The muscular man finally noticed me, only after I stepped from the shadows. He looked at me with apprehension, as if he knew I now held his fate in my hands.

He would be correct.

My morals were jaded at best, and there were very few boundaries I wouldn’t cross. I’d lost track of how many times I’d been tempted to “sample” Dane’s blood, even knowing I would face Malachi’s wrath. But I couldn’t walk away from this.

You had sex with Kyson one time and now you’re out here acting all noble? I inwardly shrugged. What the hell. It wasn’t as if I had anything better to do.

“Was there something you needed?” Clearly his self-preservation had the attention span of a gnat.

The smaller man trembled, his gaze darting between us.

“Try the gas station if you’re looking for directions,” Jackass said.

My gaze flicked to him. “You have no clue just how lost I am.”

His brows knitted. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Is it the power?” I stepped closer, the side of my mouth curling when he took a step back. “The thrilling rush of dominance?”

“Look, buddy. I don’t want any trouble.” He held up a hand, palm out.

I paused, my skin prickling. The darkness inside of me began to surge. Narrowing my eyes, I gazed into his. They were filled with stark fear. Demons didn’t feel stark fear. “Run,” I whispered.

He backed away, spun, then took off.

“Very clever,” I said, turning slowly. “You nearly had me fooled.”

My mind had been so distracted, I’d almost made a fatal mistake. I’d been ready to unleash my fury on the wrong person.

“Please, just leave me alone,” the small man mocked, batting his lashes.

“Whom do I have the displeasure of speaking with?” I asked the demon.

“Oh, this is priceless.” His laugh didn’t fit the face of the person he had possessed. It was too diabolical for someone who looked like a blond twink. “You’ve already lost. You just don’t know it yet.” His voice dripped with dark amusement. “But don’t worry. I’ll make sure you feel it long before the end.”

A chill swept through my core. “That’s impossible. I killed you.”

“You tried.” Khaelix’s narrowed eyes glowed. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to heal from a neck wound, bloodsucker?”

If a stab through the neck couldn’t kill a demon, would daggers through smoke?

Kyson.

“No taking calls this time.” Sparks of electricity crackled and buzzed around his hands, the soft blue glow intensifying. We were out in the open, the wedding reception still in full swing a block over.

I needed to shut this shit down right now before the humans saw a supernatural fight in their park.

The demon wouldn’t hesitate to harm an innocent person. The stolen body was proof of that. Even though I knew Khaelix was controlling him, the small male bore a striking resemblance to Kyson.

The same blond hair, same cheekbone structure, and the same sensual lips I had crushed against mine.

I instinctively reached for my daggers, pulling them free then spinning them skillfully, telling myself not to see Kyson in the young man’s features. Despite my anger and heartbreak, I could never bring myself to harm him.

Yet, that’s exactly what it felt like I was about to do.

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