Chapter 17

Chapter

Seventeen

My heart slammed against my ribs as I rolled across the soft ground and onto my feet, hitting a fighting stance that had been ingrained in me for years. Mykel stood in his usual black suit, his muscles bulging against the material and ebony hair slicked back. His glamour was down, showcasing those muddy yellow eyes with slitted pupils and the blunt horns on his knuckles.

All of his knuckles.

He raised his right hand, the one that Kortney had cut off. "Like it? Having a witch spell it back for me cost a pretty penny." His mouth curved into a snarl, baring jagged teeth. "I'd like to recoup the costs by crushing your skull between my hands."

"Or maybe I'll just cut your head off," I said as we circled each other. "I don't think a witch can grow that back for you."

"You're going to be an ugly pile of flesh and bone." His smile sent shivers down my spine. "Not even Fane will be able to save you. Of course, he won't do shit if he decides to stop fighting Kaspin's spell. Too bad you can't break it without the witch."

Fury erupted within me, savage flames spreading through my veins like wildfire. "You're going to pay for what you did. You and Venna both."

Mykel's laughter echoed through Rosewood Cemetery. "What are you going to do, half-breed? The only real power in you is that amulet, and it'll make you go crazy soon enough."

He was probably right, but I didn't give a damn. I'd take any amount of psychosis if it meant ridding the world of this waste of space.

"I'm pretty sure I can kill you without the amulet." Talons sprouted from my fingertips, and my teeth sharpened.

"Aw, a little puppy wants to play?"

Invisible bugs crawled down my back, and I shuffled to the side as Venna slinked through the headstones toward us. Her black leather dominatrix ensemble blended in with the shadows, leaving her pale complexion and icy hair to stand out.

"You can't take both of us, Tate." Her blood-red lips curved into a smile. "You're out here all alone and outnumbered. I don't think you'll be walking away alive this time."

"You thought wrong."

A pit of dread tore open in my gut as Hawk marched out of the woods on the left. "What are you doing here?" I screeched.

Harsh lines carved into his expression, and his amber eyes were devoid of the humor they once held. "I've been secretly tracking these two."

Venna's head tilted back as laughter pealed from her mouth. "Oh, honey, you haven't been doing anything in secret. I knew you were there." She licked her lips. "I thought you might make a fun snack."

Claws of panic ripped open my chest as I slowly inched toward my former best friend, but Mykel positioned himself between us. Hawk couldn't really know what he was up against. Venna was a royal demon for shit's sake .

"Hawk, you need to get out of here now ," I hissed. "This is not your fight."

He sneered. "Of course it's my fight. Ravens are charged with handling rebellious nightworlders who can't obey the rules. Maybe you forgot that since you're one of them now."

Venna flicked her platinum hair over her shoulder. "And what accords have we broken, young raven?"

"You killed two teenagers." Hawk pulled his hilt out, activating the sword. "Your head is mine."

Her blue demon flashed with delight. "He's adorable, Tate. I can see why you want to protect him." When she smiled, her skin paled even more, and her cheekbones protruded, leaving part of her face in deep hollows. "Too bad I've already decided it's his time to die."

I lunged for her, thinking she was moments away from grabbing Hawk, but Mykel was the one who charged him. The two battled each other, a sword against claws and teeth. While I was distracted, Venna slammed her fist into my cheek, and I stumbled into a headstone so hard fissures dug into the granite.

"Killing you will be worth losing the Infernal Sol, Tate," Venna said as she sliced her talons through the air, so close they tore my shirt. "I'd much rather avenge my sister's death. Ziva deserves it."

I ducked her next hit. "Ziva deserves a spot in hell just like you." My foot kicked out, crushing her ribs. A crack reverberated as Venna toppled to the ground. "You'll see her real soon."

My breaths came in heavy pants as I spun to rush to Hawk's side while he and Mykel fought. The dux demon hadn't even broken a sweat while Hawk was drenched. The raven might as well be a toy to Mykel.

As I took off, a hand fisted my hair, yanking me back. Pain erupted in my scalp, and stars spotted my vision as Venna swung me around. Her claws sliced into my shoulder, warm blood spilling down my arm.

"Not so fast, half-breed mutt." She snapped her jaws, attempting to bite me.

Holy shit! Was she trying to eat me? I didn't think royals enjoyed flesh, but maybe Venna had a taste for it.

I slammed my arm against her to break her grip. My fist sailed through the air, smashing into her nose. Black blood spurted against her white skin. As the fury began to intensify, I sliced my talons down her neck, spilling more onyx liquid.

"You're going to pay for what you did to Fane," I growled, the mix of shifter and demon magic rushing forward, longing to tear into her throat and rip her head off. "You'll suffer for every moment he suffered and then?—"

Hawk cursed, yanking my attention away from Venna just as Mykel snatched the sword right out of the raven's grip. My world slowed as the demon grinned and thrust the blade toward Hawk's abdomen.

He was going to kill him.

Forgetting my desire for vengeance, I released Venna and sprinted toward them, my heart in my throat. Hell, I wasn't breathing either. My legs pumped and boots dug into the ground as my surroundings blurred. Mykel and Hawk became the center of my focus as the blade drew closer to my best friend, the guy I'd loved for years.

Even if he hated me now, I wouldn't let him die.

I'd never moved so fast in my life, darting between them and pushing Hawk to the ground. As I pitched toward him from the momentum, something sharp slid into my back, and a cry burst out of my mouth.

My vision blurred, but I had enough sense to land on my hands and knees to keep plenty of space between Hawk and me so the end of the sharp blade protruding from my stomach didn't puncture him.

Mykel fucking stabbed me.

"Tate!" Horror broke across Hawk's expression when he realized what happened. "What did you do?"

I took a shallow breath as pain tried to overwhelm me. "I saved you."

"Such a pity Fane wasn't here to see this." Mykel yanked the sword out, and crimson spilled over Hawk's chest, splattering his face and dirty-blond hair. "I'm sure he felt it, though. But would he be happy you're dying or devastated?"

Hawk shook his head and scooted out from under me as I remained on all fours. "Tate, just hold on. We'll get you help."

Help.

I will help.

"Oh, shit," I muttered as the Infernal Sol barreled past all my defenses and surged forward. The dark power shot through my veins so fast the cemetery spun. As it stole my control and climbed into the driver's seat, Hawk's eyes widened. He saw the change come over me, and I was about to become a creature that would terrify him to his core.

Did you really think I'd let you perish from a little stab wound? If you die, I die.

I climbed to my feet and spun toward the dux demon who stabbed me.

"You can't kill me so easily."

His smirk vanished as the words poured out of my mouth. They weren't in English but a demon tongue called Barathrum. "How do you?—"

"You are such an insignificant piece in this game." I pressed my hand against the wound in my gut, my palm coming away with blood as more dripped down my leg, soaking my jeans. "This is nothing compared to what I'll do to you."

I lurched forward and jumped on Mykel, forcing him to the ground. As he struggled beneath me, I breached his mind and played a carousel of his fears. His screams had me howling with laughter.

"You shouldn't have tried to kill me, ugly demon." My fingers dug into his jaw as I leaned forward, latching onto his life force and inhaling.

The dark matter within him—like a soul in other creatures—filled my insides and made the amulet hum. He was so deliciously evil. I wanted to consume every last drop of him.

"What are you doing?" That annoying demon princess fluttered around us, the stench of her fear permeating the air. She was afraid if she got too close, I'd grasp her life and never let go.

I probably would.

Please, I don't want to suck that evil bitch.

Oh, sweet Tate, you don't have a choice.

The sane me wriggled inside, trying to find a way out, but this me, the wicked one, was having too much fun. Soon, my sensible side relaxed on a soft bed of velvet while I took over. The demon stopped shrieking and struggling as I drew the last bit of life from him.

I pulled back, licking my lips. You usually had to decapitate a demon to kill it, but this one was definitely dead. No more life existed in him because it was in me now. "He was yummy. Do you want to be next, princess?"

Venna's screech nearly busted my eardrums, and as she sprinted toward me, I couldn't help but chuckle. She'd be my dessert.