Page 133 of He Who Ignites The Flame
https://discord.gg/9RvBn2cd3Y
You can sign up for my newsletter here: Newsletter
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to read my book.
XOXO,
Luna Laurier
www.lunalaurier.com
Can’t get enough of the Shadow and Moonlight Universe and it’s characters? Join the Patreon to gain access to bonus scenes and content not in the books (both canon and non-canon *eyes the spicy scene between Cassie, Damien, and Marcus*), early access behind the scenes looks at in progress NSFW & SFW artwork as well as final art, ARC Team access, discounts on merch and signed books, and more!
Check out the “Taste of Darkness” Patreon
EPILOGUE
MARCUS
Istumbled to a stop in the alley, the pavement lurching beneath my feet as the world spun, shifted, and heaved like a wild creature as tormented as I was. My eyes clamped shut, a sharp pain stabbing behind them as my mind buckled under the darkness clawing at it. Always clawing, clawing, clawing....
The rough brick bit into my forearm as I braced myself, my bloodied hand rising to my head as I panted, the once-warm liquid now cold against my skin, and my eyes fell to the crimson-painted knife clutched in my other hand. My hand slid down, smearing remnants of the woman’s blood across my face. Laughter bubbled up my throat as the image of Barrett and Micah’s fear-filled eyes flashed through my mind, and I slumped against the wall as it continued to pour from me, echoing off the walls.
I lifted my gaze skyward, the rain blurring my vision as I soaked in its misery and heaved a sigh. Something fought against the darkness deep within my mind like a caged animal.
Pounding, pounding, and...
Their terror is delicious.
I shook my head, the voices dancing through my thoughts as images flashed across my mind. Barrett cursing as he held me...us off, our teeth snapping within inches of his face, desperate to taste his blood, to fill his veins with the delicious darkness coursing through ours.
Don’t you fucking give up!
Something pounded against a cage in the back of my mind as Barrett’s desperate plea flitted across my thoughts, and I flinched, eyes falling shut.
They deserve it. She would still be here if it wasn’t for their goddess.
“I know!” I growled, chest heaving as the dark voice slithered in, coiling around me until I thought I might suffocate. I threw the knife as I cried out in an attempt to expel the overwhelming sound of voices, the blade ricocheting off the brick wall opposite me, the dull ringing leaving my vision fizzling before flashing back to reality. My eyes darted around, ghosts of faces long gone slipping into view, bloodied hands reaching for me. “It’s their own fault.”
The ringing faded, the faces falling into darkness, and the roar of the rain returned. A smile stretched across my face at the distant sound of Barrett’s shouts, and I pushed myself to my feet, closing my eyes as I reached out, further and further, to a familiar mind.
He stiffened in the distant quiet, feeling my consciousness brush against his.
Who is this?
Damien’s voice was hardened, tired, even, as if he were already on the cusp of breaking under the weight of his fallen mate’s memory.
That hurts, Damien. You don’t even recognize your best friend’s voice?
His mind flooded with emotions, words buzzing to a tune that made me flinch. The ringing returned, the faces and ghastly cries of those I’d murdered filling my ears as I shook my head, stumbling to a stop, panting. A figure fizzled into existence, peering at me from around the nearby corner with sad eyes, her curly golden hair curtaining her face untouched by the downpour. I blinked, and she vanished.
Marcus?
I turned, attention drawn from the ghost at the sound of his voice, so full of sorrowful disbelief that I laughed.
Don’t pretend you care that I’m still alive.
His hesitation and confusion slipped through our connection.
