Page 67 of Witch Queen

You are not monsters, my witch, Brimstone said quietly.

Hellreaver vibrated against her chest.He is right.

“What exactly are the triggers you speak of?” Cortes asked warily.

“First, theBook of Lightmust be opened with that skeleton key.” Azazel indicated the item hanging from Hellreaver’s chain beside his pendant form. “That is not its true appearance. When it gets close enough to sense theBook of Shadows, it will change into its real form, that of a star-shaped device.” The demon faltered, his expression growing troubled. “But it is upon incanting Davor Lazar’s name and pouring demonic power into that key that it will reveal theBook of Light’sfinal form: a dagger of pure magic. It must be stabbed through theBook of Shadowsto activate its destructive powers.”

Shock reverberated through Mae, just as it did everyone else in the room. An ugly truth came upon its heels.

“Ran Soyun’s soul is also in that book,” Astarte said quietly before Mae could voice her dismay.

Azazel clenched his jaw. “Yes. I sealed half her soul in that book. Which means it too will be destroyed if the artifact is triggered.”

“You had no choice, old friend.” Ilmon touched Azazel’s shoulder. “You were misled by Davor; it was only logical for you to be wary of the next human you gifted your knowledge of magic to.”

Azazel’s breath shuddered out of him. “Still, I should have released her soul from the book when we wed. I suggested it to Ran but she refused.”

Mae grasped the demon’s hand, her heart shattering at the pain echoing through her from Na Ri. Azazel gave her a tremulous half-smile before continuing his tale.

“The Inheritance Ceremony Barquiel spoke of is a ritual where a Sorcerer King bestows his powers upon the one who will take his throne. It is a secret art and one I taught Davor and Ran Soyun in the strictest confidence. Unfortunately, the rite also projects the predecessor’s ambitions upon his or her successor, which is likely why almost every Sorcerer King who followed Davor turned out so evil.” His gaze when he met Mae’s eyes was steely. “The skeleton key can still activate theBook of Shadowseven if Vedran has opened it and absorbed Davor’s soul. All it means is that Vedran will also perish. It matters not that Davor’s soul is no longer in the book. It will maintain the memory of its presence and destroy Davor’s soul wherever it may be.”

“But—won’t my father be practically invincible once he absorbs Davor’s soul?” Apprehension clouded Nikolai’s face. “You said yourself that Davor was strong enough to defeat Ran Soyun.” He looked at Mae. “We injured him when we last fought, but it was in no way a fatal wound.”

Mae’s stomach churned. “He’s right.”

“You’re forgetting something,” Vlad said.

The incubus was frowning. “Like my father said, this isn’t like the time Azazel and Ran Soyun lost the war to Barquiel and Davor. Not only do you have me, Cortes, Roman, and hundreds of powerful magic users at your side…we have you.” He blew out a sigh as he studied Nikolai. “And I hate to admit it, but you’re the strongest sorcerer on Earthandyou can wield Hellfire Magic. While Mae is—” He stopped and waved a hand vaguely. “You know.”

“Incredibly foolhardy?” Alicia hazarded.

“An idiot who acts before she thinks?” Astarte contributed.

“An all-avenging ignoramus like that Michael?” Armaros grunted.

“That’s going too far,” Ilmon protested.

“Well…” Hellreaver started.

Mae scowled at the weapon. “I don’t want to hear that from you!”

“It’s freaky how on point they are,” Cortes said flatly.

Azazel’s lips twitched.

“I was going to say incredibly strong,” Vlad muttered.

Gratitude softened Nikolai’s face. “Thanks.”

Vlad shuddered. “Please. Don’t look at me like that.”

Nikolai narrowed his eyes at the incubus before addressing Azazel. “You said there are two things that might work in our favor when we face Vedran. What’s the second one?”

The demon studied the sorcerer steadily. “He won’t be able to absorb your magic. In fact, doing so will likely shatter his core.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

TheBookof Lightopened yet another pointless breach. Vedran scowled.

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