Page 144 of Savage Blood
“Iampowerful. Much more than that impostor wielding you,” I said.
Barric scrutinized me as he sipped from the copper bowl again, his mask gone to reveal the crease between his brows.
My heart skipped a beat. Could he hear me? Was I speaking out loud?
“Yeah, fiera mika.”Fane’s voice swirled into my mind, cutting a line through the fog and hunger.“You’re talking out loud.”
There is something very familiar about you.
The Infernal Sol’s voice diverted my attention from Fane, and I focused on the conversation before the stone realized I wasn’t an ancient demon.
“We’ve crossed paths before,” I told it. “You’ll remember—once you come to me.”
Yes, perhaps I will. I’ve grown tired of this one. He can’t handle much more before his mind fractures.
A manic laugh burst out of my mouth as the Soulvation swelled through my system again. “Bloodstains and daggers. My favorite white knight. A crimson cape and down the rabbit hole we go.”
What the hell did that mean? I was freaking losing it. My thoughts rolled into one another and collided with images that made no sense. Or theydidmake sense, but not when I tried to explain them.
This was how my mind felt when the amulet slipped behind the wheel to take control—crazy and unhinged.
Obviously, I spoke the Infernal Sol’s language with the Soulvation permeating my bloodstream. Ruin had been right that the madness would entice the amulet.
“Come to me, a gem so wicked. Long is the night, and terror we can take in abundance. And dance until sunrise. Eat the moon and all the stars.” My laughter resounded over the creepy chants still swirling in the room.
But then Barric’s ruby eyes seared into mine as he stood behind me, stealing the air from my lungs and freezing the blood in my veins. The ceremonial dagger he wielded shone like liquid metal beneath the lights.
My heart slammed into my ribs when he positioned the blade a few inches above the center of my chest. And then, with a triumphant yell, he shoved the dagger down.
Chapter
Thirty-Six
Blinding pain slammed into me,and I bowed away from the table. As the blade pierced my chest, hot blood spurted out. My vision turned white, bleaching everything like a bolt of lightning in the darkness.
Fire.
I was on fire.
There was no other explanation.
Molten lava replaced my blood, scorching every inch of my body, every damn cell, until nothing but a searing puddle remained.
As the white receded and colors and shapes re-formed, Marcel convulsed on the floor, scarlet leaking from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Acid shot up my throat. The Admordum Nexia Covenant was killing him.
Bitten shifters all across the realm were dying because I couldn’t stop Barric.
“Tate! Tate!”
Someone called my name.
Not someone. I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
Fane.
My beautiful beast.
