Page 82 of The Monster's Desire

I turn back, and Ridge is cradling Nadia in his lap with her legs off to one side as she clutches the container between them. He sits on the edge of the bed, running his hands over her cheeks.

Athos sits next to Garth, who I may still kill. I’m undecided on either of those two.

“This guy is probably going to require a second culling,” Knight says, staggering away from the demon, who must be Constantine. He heads back to the window, and I tune out the sounds of his retching.

“Did you want me to continue with the female vampire?” I ask Echo. He’s kneeling in front of Ridge and leaning into Nadia’s shoulder. He pulls back enough to run his fingers over her cheek.

“I swore I’d kill her if I got the chance, but...” His head shakes. “I’d actually prefer not to have that on my conscience.”

My eyebrows rise. That was unexpected. She’s clearly his maker. I simply nod my agreement, heading to handle her disgusting soul. It smells putrid, even after being purified by Knight.

Thinking of my partner seems to summon him closer. He grunts but moves to cull Constantine again before tossing himself onto the bed at Ridge’s back. “Are you going to be able to hold those partygoers? Or are they going to pop in, wondering why we just massacred their council?”

I glance at the remaining people. They thought they’d get one type of show, but clearly, they’ve gotten another.

“I’ll manage,” I grunt. I position myself to devour Imogen’s soul and, as her life force flows into me, I end up feeling rather rejuvenated. Bringing up a sleeve, I wipe away any lingering smoke. “Only Constantine is left.”

“Devour him,” Nadia says. “I mean, please.”

“Anything for you, love.” I take the few steps over to the last demon.

“Wait.” Echo pushes himself up. “Can you unfreeze him long enough for me to ask him a few questions?”

“He could attack,” Knight says contemplatively. “Are you sure there’s a benefit to knowing whatever it is he’ll have to say?”

“I think we should at least try,” Echo says.

“I’ll keep close and refreeze him if necessary.” Standing at his side, I nod. “I’m here, I’ll just be invisible to his eyes.”

Constantine staggers as he joins our timeline. “What the fuck happened?” He swipes a hand over his fully demonic face.

“Why haven’t you allowed any of the witches to finish replenishing the ward? Why call them here only to ensure they fail?” Echo asks.

“It’s not the council attacking the witches, you stupid fucking fool,” Constantine snarls, clutching at his chest. “What did you do to me?”

I’ll bet he’s feeling quite strange without the weight of his sins pulling on his soul.

“How did you find out about Nadia’s magic?” Echo asks. It’s clear he’s lined his words with every ounce of his compulsion.

Constantine’s eyes flash. “Fuck you.”

Echo repeats the question, and even though it’s not directed at me, I still have to fight to keep from answering. My head swivels to study him. It’s quite unexpected. I’m generally immune to the influence of most magic, but he just smacked Constantine with ancient levels of compulsion.

“A warlock on the council owes us a few favors,” Constantine finally grinds out.

“Kash?” Nadia pipes in.

Echo repeats her question.

“Yes,” Constantine growls. “You know I’m going to fuck her in front of you before I rip her heart out,” he taunts Echo. “I’ll lick her blood off my claws as I fuck her raw. She’ll be so desperate for me to end her suffering that she’ll beg for death.”

Echo thrusts his clawed hand into Constantine’s chest.

I swipe a hand over them both and move to yank Echo back.

I unfreeze Echo while Constantine’s bloody heart drips on the floor and move to suck out the remnants of the awful demon’s soul.

This is why sin eaters and reapers make the perfect pair. Without Knight cleansing his sins, it would be dangerous for me to devour him. Technically, he’s supposed to be recycled, but I don’t feel an ounce of guilt over extinguishing him. If the universe didn’t want me to have the ability, then I wouldn’t have it. Sure, most reapers would have to risk death to devour a soul rather than reap it, but that’s the beauty of having Knight at my side.

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