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Maurice chuckled and glared at me with red eyes blazing. “I’d been following you for months, little witch. Months! Every second, I thought about retaking you. Oh, if you only knew what I had planned for us. Just when I was finally within reach, that fucking angel got in my way. Tatyana destroyed everything I had built. To my surprise, her wings were gone. I don’t know why she was there, but I wasn’t going to let her reach you. She had to pay for what she did, and I couldn’t wait to watch your face as you looked at her, covered in blood. Oh, the satisfaction of watching you cry over her death tonight. It made me fucking hard.”

My anger raged. “I hate you!”

“Likewise … Akasha,” he barked back with a sharp grin; it seemed as if he was enjoying our banter.

I cringed at the sound of the name he’d insisted on using a year ago. I hated that name and loathed the sound of it coming from his lips. I raised my left hand and snapped my fingers. Green cords of light shot from the floor and wrapped around Maurice’s legs, yanking him to his knees and holding him in place. I relished in the look of indignation Maurice made.

“Keep him on the ground,” Dorian ordered. “I’m going to look around for the dagger.”

Caleb remained, gripping Kyoko’s arms and keeping her in place.

Maurice didn’t take his eyes off me. The wounds from my bloodied fist had already healed, and Maurice wiped off his own blood with the bottom of his shirt.

Dorian came in a few minutes later, shaking his head. “I don’t see it anywhere, but it doesn’t mean it’s not here.”

“What about the girl Kyoko mentioned?” I asked. “Is she okay?”

Dorian shook his head. “She’s injured, but she’ll live. I helped her slip out through the back door.”

The side of Maurice’s lips turned up. “Always ruining my fun, Mercy,” Maurice said. “The three of you can get the fuck out of my house now. I don’t have your dagger. As I said, I would have used it to kill the coven already.” He glared back at me. “But not you, Mercy.” His head cocked to the right. “I have other plans for you … for us.”

I tensed.What the fuck does that mean?

Caleb released Kyoko but shoved her hard, causing her small frame to fly forward. His boot slammed next to her, a threat if she were to move.

I stepped toward Maurice, kicking him in the face one more time with the toe of my boot. He was held on his knees, giving me all the power. If I weren’t ready to kill him, I’d make him suffer just a little longer.

The bastard was up to something, and knowing Maurice, he wouldn’t be working alone. Yes, he was smart, but he always had an army of followers ready to do his bidding.

“I have a stake, Mercy,” Caleb said, gesturing to his hip with his eyes. “You can use it on them right now. End it.”

After he handed it over, I wrapped my fingers around the grip.

“Not yet,” I said. “Not until we find out what they’re hiding from us.” I turned to Maurice. “What are you not telling me?

Maurice stayed silent, all but a challenger’s smile playing over his lips.

Fine.

I walked over to face Kyoko, her eyes widening. “Drink from my wrist or die, Kyoko,” I ordered.

Her eyes grew even wider, and she looked at Maurice as if she hoped he would save her, but he wouldn’t move to her rescue. His eyes, however, were crimson red, and he threatened me by showing his fangs.

“Answer, Kyoko, or I’ll decide for you,” I threatened.

“I’d rather die than be a pathetic human,” she said, sizing me up.

I stepped closer to her, and she didn’t move. However, Maurice did. I had loosened the magic holding him down, anticipating he would charge. He bolted toward me with lightning speed, but Caleb lifted his hands and blasted a flame at him. It hit Maurice hard against the chest, and Dorian rushed to his side, keeping him down with the palm of his hand, and I re-tightened the cords.

“I’m sorry, Kyoko, but you and Maurice are too dangerous when you work together. But don’t worry, Maurice will be joining you very soon in whatever dark hell you guys go to.”

“Oh, Mercy,” she hissed, “if you only knew your fate. You think this is over, but it’s just the beginning.”

A shiver slithered down my spine. The threat was real. I knew it in my gut; the duo had something planned.

“Goodbye, Kyoko. I hope there’s peace for you in the afterlife, allowing you to be reunited with your parents again,” I whispered as I plunged the stake into her chest.

Maurice hissed with such viciousness behind me while trying to stand, but Dorian kicked him in the face so hard he blacked out. We knew it wouldn’t be long before he regained consciousness, so I undid the binding magic, and we left as soon as I picked up the stake and handed it back to Caleb.

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