Page 47 of The Devil's Hunt

I leaned down. "How does it feel knowing this maggot will stand beside him, ruling his kingdom with him as his queen, soiling his perfect cock every single night?" I whispered, adding emphasis to mystatement as I continued, "And my face is the last you'll ever see before leaving this earth. That's gotta be a bitch."

I sat back up, letting her look at my face.

The face of the devil's queen.

With a fierce grip, I wielded the apple like a weapon, bringing it down with all my might onto her skull. The heavy gold ornament pierced through her skin and bone, sending a sickening thud throughout the forest. Her eyes widened in terror, briefly reflecting genuine fear before being crushed by the force of impact. Blood spurted from her head, drenching me in its warm, sticky embrace as I continued to pummel her. The red strands of her hair mingled with the crimson liquid, creating an eerie mural on the ground beneath us.

But even amidst the gruesome scene, I could feel his presence. Watching me from the safety of the trees, observing as I transformed into a killer, just like him. With each strike of the apple, I could sense my humanity slipping away until there was nothing left but cold calculation and primal instinct. I let out a scream from deep within my soul, releasing the pain and anguish, the rage and darkness, that seeped out of me.

No longer the prey, I had become the beast.

And as I looked at my reflection in the pool of blood that once belonged to my victim, I knew that there was no turning back.

19

NINETEEN

ARCHER

Every fiber of my being, from the depths of my soul, yearned to charge down there and unleash vengeance for her. If only she had looked up at me. If only she had asked.

I would have forsaken every rule, overturned The Brotherhood until it lay in ashes, all for her.

But her eyes never sought mine.

Not even when a look of acceptance flickered across her face.

Not even when death's shadow loomed over her.

She held her head high in defiance, as if not even death could bring her to her knees.

And in that moment, I felt an intense stirring within me, more powerful than any physical attraction.

As I watched her transform before my very eyes, I sensed a shift in the air. The devil inside her finally made its presence known, and I reveled in seeing her embrace it with pride.

If I were one to pray, I would thank God for the divine gift he bestowed upon me—the privilege of witnessing such unbridled strength and power. My gaze remained fixated on her, even as my men cheered and whooped at my choice. One of the fiercest warriors wasmyChosen.

It was only when she released a battle cry, unleashing all the pain from her soul, that I finally went to her.

As I drew closer, I couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and trepidation. Pride in witnessing the raw power that lay dormant within her for so long, and trepidation for what her newfound strength could unleash upon the world. But deep down, I knew she was not to be feared; she was to be honored.

As I reached her side, she turned to face me, her eyes ablaze with an intensity I had never witnessed before. Gone was the innocence that once lingered there, replaced by a raw determination fueled by unyielding resolve. The weight of her newfound power was palpable, radiating from her like an ethereal aura.

I pulled her to me, clutching her blood-stained face between my hands. "My little rabbit. My Chosen. My queen. You are more than I ever could have imagined."

At that moment, I saw a flicker of vulnerability pass through her eyes like the dying embers of a fire. She leaned into my touch, her body trembling ever so slightly. The weight of her transformation was heavy upon her shoulders, and I knew it would take more than mere words to ease the burdens she now carried.

With tender care, I lifted her and wrapped an arm around her waist, supporting her injured leg as we made our way toward the four-wheelers and dirt bikes that waited to chariot us home. But she resisted, stubbornly refusing to leave The Sanctuary.

"Mila, you're bleeding," I pleaded with her, trying to reason with her. "Let's get home so Gage can stitch you up."

"I need you." Her words were barely a whisper, but struck me like a physical blow.

"You have me. I'm right here." I reached out to touch her cheek, desperate to soothe the turmoil within her.

"No, inside me." Her dark eyes met mine, blazing with an intense desire that mirrored my own.

The realization of what she wanted hit me like a lightning bolt, igniting a fire in my veins and sending my pants tightening inresponse. But I couldn't resist her plea. She needed me, and I would give myself to her entirely.

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