Page 85 of Shadows of the Soul

Game on Lucifer. You want Cora Roberts, Daughter of Death? Then you will damn well have her.

Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty Nine

My heart is a sucker.

Astorm was coming. My wards were down and, as far as anyone knew, I was powerless. We were sitting ducks, waiting for Lucifer to arrive with an army.

We were back in the parlor with Hudson seated next to me.

Sebastian looked at a message on his phone and sighed. “I’ve got to go,” he said. “My father is losing his shit. He wants the treaty, but doesn’t want to be at the beck and call of your grandmother. I need to talk him down from whatever he’s planning.”

My eyes closed, and I fought the rising panic. Everyone was leaving. “Of course. Don’t let him sign it, Sebastian,” I said, opening my eyes. “My grandmother doesn’t mean well with that treaty.”

His eyes tightened. “What are you talking about?”

Hudson took a sip of the lemonade Maggie had brought him, then leaned forward and leveled Sebastian with his Principal stare. “Eloise wants us united in a war she’s about to incite between humans and supernaturals.”

“To what end?” Sebastian asked. You can take the prince out of the politics, but not the politics out of the prince.

Hudson glanced at me. I gave him a nod. We might not be together, but I still cared and wanted to avoid the bloodshed my grandmother planned. “Eloise wants to be at the top of the food chain. The other factions are cannon fodder for her war.”

Sebastian went so still you’d think he was part of a Madame Tussaud’s display. “I was going to tell you,” I whispered.

A frown appeared on his forehead, and he avoided my gaze. “I need to go.” The door swung open, and he was gone. It was a good thing, the fewer people around to witness Lucifer’s attack, the better. Less people to keep breathing. It was safer this way. Now to get rid of the Principal.

“I have research to do,” I stated. “So you can go back to the stables, or the pack.”Or Mercy.He didn’t move. I turned my head and glanced at him. He leaned in, causing my breath to hitch.Don’t kiss me. I don’t have the willpower to say no, even when I know you are bad for me. “There’s nothing happening here, anyway. The blood magic has lost its traction.”Lies. Huge stinking lies.He tilted his head and ran his nose behind my ear, causing shivers to dance down my spine.

“You smell different,” he growled.

I laughed. It was a nervous sound that struggled to cover my panic. “Your nose is off, Your Highness. I suggest you stick it close to someone who wants you in their personal space.”

He inhaled, then leaned back. His pupils had turned vertical as his prehistoric cat sought to decipher my scent. “What’s changed, Cora? What did that cleansing do to you?”

I swallowed, sucked in a deep breath, and fought with my beast. She was clawing at my insides, trying to get out and protect me from harm, any harm. His eyes narrowed and a green sheen ran over them. My beast paused in her struggles and examined his lurking monster with interest. Fuck. Houston, we have a problem.

I trembled with the harassed power I was restraining. His eyes tightened, and he leaned his forehead against mine. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Wrong. How can anyone say that when they don’t know what it is? It’s an empty promise that would turn to ashes the second he learned the truth. If he wasn’t with me, he wasn’t invested in my life, in my care. He didn’t love me like I could have loved him.Because you are unworthy.

“I need,” I breathed.

“Yes?”

“For you to leave.”

His head shot back, and darkness clouded his gaze. He stood and stalked toward the still open door. That was easier than I thought. Like he could hear my thoughts, he paused, spun on his heel and prowled back toward me. I jumped up and took one step back before he caught me around my waist and slammed his lips against mine. It was ferocious, fevered; it promised violence and peace, love and sorrow. It stripped me bare and forced me to witness his vow, that he was in love with me, that he wanted me, that he would kill for me.

I ripped my mouth from his and panted. “No,” I shook my head. “I won’t be some dirty little secret you come calling on in the midnight hour while you weave your power over the pack. It’s all or nothing.”

He sucked in a breath. I’d said I wouldn’t take him back, and now I’d given him an in. I was weak. But we all made mistakes. He squeezed his eyes closed, and I knew his answer. I pushed on his chest. He let me go with a pained look. “Leave,” I stated.

He ran a hand through his hair, and his gaze blazed with longing. “I need some time.”

I shook my head and wrapped one hand around my waist while I pointed at the door with the other.

“Stubborn female,” he muttered. “Would it kill you to see it from my perspective?”

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