Page 142 of Dark Shadow of Guilt

“Some I may answer. Some I may not.” He wondered if his escape from Angor had been a ruse. Was the Bearer of Death part of the rebellion sent here to extinct Malacour because he had allowed Praevus to fuck up?

No.

The male to whom Malacour owed allegiance would not do that. Would he?

Michael’s questions were simple. “What is your role in the rebellion?”

Was this a loyalty test?

If so, Malacour failed. Light shining from Michael ate through his flesh, the pain unbearable. “I coordinated rebel activities in Angor as instructed.”

“How did you get Madeline?”

He screamed. The pain was searing. “I received her from an Immortal inside the gateway and gave her to Serita to care for through the transition.”

“What transition?”

“To hybrid-Scourge.”

“So, it was known from the beginning that the human would change?”

“I suppose.”

“The name of the Immortal who gave her to you.”

Malacour steered the conversation away from the name. “I arranged for Remi’s attack above the Razor Mountains to divert him from Serita’s cabin where Praevus was hiding. I sent Scourges to recapture the human from Dom. That didn’t work out. Of course, I didn’t extinct Ike or Praevus.”

“Who is the Immortal who gave you Madeline?”

“Followers are awakening. I know names.” He rattled them off but still held back the name of the male he felt honor-bound to protect. He owed him. Pain loosened his lips but didn’t destroy all of his pride.

Michael was dogged, though. “The Immortal?”

When the Bearer of Death pointed the tip of his sword toward Malacour, his flesh burned until he could no longer bear the torture.

Malacour revealed the name of the one male in all of OneWorld who meant something to him. But he withheld a secret. At the gateway, he’d been given not only Madeline but another human as well.

Michael let loose his sword and, with one blow, sliced off his head. The last words Malacour heard were, “May my blade bring you peace.”

The sensation was odd. He felt the cold steel of the Bearer of Death’s sword slide into his neck. He even felt part of his body crumble to ash.

His final thought was “Have I failed the loyalty test? Hence, extinction?”

Then nothing.

****

When Dom strode intothe bedroom, Maddy was showered and shiny. Not bothering with a nightie, she’d eased herself against the headboard, her breasts perky and one leg cocked up, giving him a great view.

“Fuck,” said Dom, hopping on one foot to remove a boot. Then the other. He stripped off his pants and ripped his tee over his head. Naked and horny, his cock saluting his mate, he prowled toward her. “What do you want, mate?”

“I want joy, an orderly life, and sun on my face.” She reached toward him. “Mostly, I want you.”

Dom had his own plans. He grabbed onto her bent knee and made room for himself between her thighs. He glanced up at her and grinned. “I can give you me.”

“What are you waiting for then?”

He groaned, lowered his head, and flicked out his tongue. When he licked between her folds, with lazy, slow strokes, she squirmed. He pressed a hand on her stomach to hold her still.

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