Page 91 of Infernal Hearts

“Please, this isn’t right.” He tries to reach her, but it’s not working.

“You remember the price for breaking a fairy deal, don’t you, Richard?” A poisonous smile crosses her face. “Oblivion. And after everything, I’m sure you’d like to avoid something even you can’t survive.”

A dark look crosses his face. “I guess I don’t have a choice, then. We made a deal for you to get the next incubus that comes looking for the first one. I’ll hold up my end of the bargain whether I like it or not.”

Valerie gives an innocent grin. “I’m glad you understand your position.”

“You could have at least saved my wife.”

She scoffs. “The deal was to give you immortality and to keep your son from any harm that came his way. In return, I get the inevitable demon heart that would eventually show up. I held up my end. Your turn.”

“Just because you’re about to die from old age doesn’t mean you need to be so cruel.”

Her eyes narrow. “Shut the fuck up and do it already.”

With that resolved phrase, my heart races out of control. Whatever apprehension the doctor had was forced away by Valerie. I can’t argue with him or make him see reason—he and I both know what happens if you break a deal. He’s selfish, just like almost every other human I’ve ever made a deal with. It takes everything in me to stop myself from crying as I thrash on the table.

“Glad you’re seeing things my way.” She gives a wicked smirk to Blackwell. “I didn’t kill the vampire for nothing. Something good has to come out of it.”

I stifle a gasp. “Youkilled Aranda?”

“I couldn’t have him lead you to us. But honestly, what a waste. I can’t believe he gave up his immortality—it was almost too easy.” She pulls out a golden dagger from her bag, handing it to Blackwell. “Anyway. Ready to get started?”

His lip trembles, his voice filled with regret. “Please forgive me.”

I plead as much as I can. “You don’t need to do this. Don’t do this to me. Don’t do this to Jason.”

He turns away as Valerie starts to chant.

Her words aren’t like anything I’ve ever heard before—a dead language unknown to me, almost as if she’s speaking in tongues. Magic fills the room as the air grows thick. The sigils on the walls glow with an eerie blue light, illuminating the metallic surfaces in the room. One by one, each of the candles grows from a dull orange flame to a light blue jet, shooting into the air.

My hands go clammy as the heat rises in my chest. I clench my eyes closed, trying to withstand the temperature, but they shoot open on their own. Purple light illuminates everything I’m looking at. Valerie’s ritual is forcing itself on me. I can’t control my powers.

I look back at Dr. Blackwell, sobs escaping my mouth. “Please. I’m in love with your son. Don’t do this.”

“Love has nothing to do with this. I’m sorry, but you fell for the wrong man. It was never meant to be. This was fated long before you ever met.”

My heart breaks as I kick and writhe on the table, my chest burning. My heart pounds as it glows beneath my shirt. I’ve never felt a rush like this in my life. I’mflooded with electricity, pouring out from the center of my body. My powers are in overdrive, like I’m an atomic bomb about to explode.

Tears pour down my face as I struggle. I don’t want to die. This can’t be the end. I wasn’t able to charm my way out of this or fight my way through. I’ll never help another person with a deal. I’ll never laugh with Rani again. I’ll never be able to kiss Jay one last time. I don’t know what to do.

“Shhh.” Blackwell stands over me. “It’s almost over.”

This is the last thing I’m going to see. Jay’s eyes, on the face of someone else, watching me as I die.

He raises the dagger high above his head, but right as he’s about to plunge it into my heart, the door bursts open. The chanting stops, and all three of our heads snap toward the figure in the doorway.

Jay.

Chapter Sixteen

Jason

It doesn’t take long to register what’s happening. My dad’s operating room is covered in glowing runes surrounded by blue fire. Valerie chants a strange song right inside the door, and sparks are singeing the surrounding air. Tied down, violet light pours from Levi’s eyes and chest. And my dad stands over him with a golden dagger, about to plunge it into his heart.

I lunge forward. “Dad, no!”

The knife falters. “Jason?”

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