Page 111 of Savage Blood
I kept my focus on Barric instead of Coltrane, so he didn’t suspect someone sneaking up on him. “You’re not invincible.”
His chuckle had ice skating down my nape. “Are you sure about that?”
I sure as hell hoped not.
But before I could say or do anything else, Coltrane jumped on Barric’s back.
“What the hell!” Having been caught off guard, he stumbled back, snarling. “Get off me.”
As he fought with the former raven captain, the influence of the Infernal Sol on the dux demons finally shattered. Barric couldn’t fight Coltrane and maintain the power.
I scoffed, knowing I could have.
Not important now, Tate.
“You shouldn’t have the amulet, Barric,” Coltrane gritted out. “It doesn’t belong to you.”
He tried to buck her off, but she held on, wrapping her legs around his waist.
“Because it belongs to you?” His bitter laughter erupted. “You’re as psychotic as I am.”
Not quite.
As I rushed forward, Barric’s jaws snapping and claws raking through the air, Coltrane reached around and grabbed the amulet.
“No!” I yelled.
Her reaction was instantaneous, and the scream she expelled nearly busted my eardrums. The stone glowed like scarlet fire around Barric’s neck as Coltrane released it, her palm sizzling and burning.
My stomach heaved as the scent of burned flesh choked the air. But Coltrane still distracted Barric as he tried to shake her off, so I took my chance and darted forward.
I gripped the sun-shaped stone and yanked as hard as I could.
The amulet didn’t burn me like it did Coltrane, but it also didn’t budge.
The chain wouldn’t break, and I couldn’t lift the stone from my father’s neck.
What the fuck?
A sly smile curved Barric’s mouth, and he finally tossed Coltrane off. She slid across the floor and vanished into the shadows behind a giant geode.
I dropped the Infernal Sol and took one step back, but Barric’s hand jutted out and wrapped around my wrist. Panic exploded through my chest, and the air catapulted from my lungs. Barric had me right where he wanted me.
Again.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Barric’s grinmade chills rake down my back and tremors travel up my legs. His fingers practically burned my wrist as he held it in a bruising grip.
“It’s time to come home, sweetheart.”
“Your hideout in Karn’s manor isnotmy home,” I hissed, trying to break his hold.
He tsked. “It is—until your death.”
No longer attacking the other patrons, the demons looked around, confusion swirling in their eyes. Would any of them help me? Or were they too busy trying to figure out what the hell happened to notice or care about my situation?
