Chapter 28

Chapter

Twenty-Eight

S erenity

“ No!!! ” I screamed and arched my back as anger soared through me, hot and wild and uncontrollable. My power unleashed like a tsunami—the bed, dresser, television, and end table shot toward the ceiling as if gravity had reversed. The chandelier shattered, raining crystal daggers that suspended mid-air, catching the light like deadly stars.

Then everything crashed to the floor with devastating force. Wood splintered into thousands of pieces. The mattress caught fire, blue flames eating through the blood-stained sheets, devouring Balthazar’s threats.

Something screamed. No, shrieked—an inhuman sound that made the windows vibrate, that drove even the ancient vampires to their knees. The sound of something ancient and terrifying awakening.

Black smoke burst from my skin, writhing like living shadows. Electric blue flames crawled up the walls and across the ceiling, consuming everything in their path. The air crackled with power that tasted of defiance and destiny.

Then the flames imploded with a final thunderclap, disappearing into nothingness and leaving in their wake the scent of burnt feathers and lightning.

Pain sizzled through my veins like holy fire, a battle of light versus darkness that tore a scream from my throat. Every cell in my body felt like it was being purified and purged as good and evil warred beneath my skin. The scratches on my arm didn’t just fade—they burned away in agony, Balthazar’s dark magic fighting against whatever divine power coursed through me. Where his mark had been, my skin now glowed with a faint, pearl-like luminescence, the last evidence of a war between Heaven and Hell fought in my own flesh.

Angelo grabbed my arms, nearly lifting me off the floor, his expression savage with worry. His fingers dug into my skin with barely contained strength, as if he feared I’d vanish if he didn’t hold on tight enough. “Serenity. Damn it.” His muscular arms were like iron bands around me as I contorted, writhing as another wave of holy fire scorched through my blood. The pain was beyond screaming now—it was a white-hot supernova burning away everything dark and corrupt, threatening to consume me entirely. My skin blazed with a light that made the vampires hiss and shield their eyes, but Angelo wouldn’t let go, even as the divine power singed his body and smoke rose around us as if we were in the middle of a bonfire, thick and black and writhing with otherworldly power.

Enzo cried out. “Angelo, release her!”

“Never.” His face turned dark, as if he was burning from the inside. A roar of pure agony tore from his throat, a sound that ripped right through me.

This was my fault. I was burning him. I breathed deeply, trying to rein in my power.

Calm down Calm down Calm down

My heart thundered against my ribs as I fought for control. The power coursed through me like a rushing river, resisting every attempt to dam it. Angelo’s arms tightened around me even as his skin blackened, and I could feel him trembling with the effort to hold on.

“Please,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face. “Please stop.” I wasn’t sure if I was begging my power or Angelo. The smoke swirled faster, hungrily searching for something to consume. Divine energy crackled through the air like lightning, and I could taste Heaven’s fury sharp and bright on my tongue like the sharp bite of centuries-old whiskey.

Control it Control it Control it

A surge of energy exploded from deep within me, pure white light that cut through the black smoke. The windows shattered outward. Angelo’s grip finally broke as he was thrown across the room. My feet left the ground, suspended in air as wings of light unfurled from my back, casting shadows that danced like living things on the walls.

A voice that wasn’t mine tore from my throat, ancient and terrible: “ ENOUGH! ”

The room froze. Even the smoke seemed to pause mid-swirl.

Then everything imploded.

The light collapsed inward, a vacuum of power that sucked all the chaos back into my body like a black hole devouring stars. The energy that had been coursing through me vanished, leaving nothing but bone-deep exhaustion in its wake. The smoke dissipated, taking the last remnants of my strength with it. I dropped to the floor like a marionette released from its cross, my knees cracking painfully against the hardwood. Every breath I took felt like I was inhaling shards of glass, my lungs burning as if I’d been underwater for hours instead of minutes.

Silence fell, broken only by the sound of glass tinkling to the floor and my ragged breathing. My arms trembled as I tried to push myself up, but my muscles had the consistency of warm jelly. Sweat dripped from my temples, each drop carrying a piece of my remaining energy with it. Even my eyelids felt heavy, threatening to close despite the danger I knew still lurked.

“Angelo?” Fear clawed at my throat as I scanned the settling dust. My vision swam, but I forced my eyes to focus, to find him. The room was a war zone of my own making. Then—movement in the corner. Angelo. My heart lurched at the sight of his healing skin, the evidence of what my power had done to him. But his expression… I’d never seen him look at me quite like that before. Like I was something both magnificent and terrible.

“What am I?” The question slipped out before I could stop it.

“Something that Balthazar should be very, very afraid of,” he said softly, reaching for me despite everything that had just happened. He pulled me into his arms, cradling my shaking body against his chest as my legs threatened to give out completely.

Enzo emerged from the smoke, his usually immaculate suit covered in debris, a thin trail of blood running from his temple where he had been struck. His eyes were wide with a mix of awe and wariness as he steadied himself against the wall.

Dimitri rose where he had been protecting Elena and Gianna in the far corner, his broad shoulders smoldering slightly where divine energy had caught him. He must have thrown them on the floor then shielded them with his body when the power exploded. Both women were pale but unharmed, clutching each other as they stared at me with newfound terror—or was it reverence? The vampire’s usual calm demeanor had cracked, revealing raw amazement beneath.

Luigi crawled out from underneath what remained of the bed, scowling as if personally offended by the debris. His face was ashen, hands trembling as he brushed dust and splintered wood from his clothes with sharp, angry movements.

Angelo stroked my hair. “That wasn’t demonic power, Serenity. I’ve seen demon power, and it burns red and black, corrupted and tainted.” His voice carried the weight of centuries of knowledge. “But blue flames? That was angelic power. Pure celestial energy. Holy. The kind that could burn a dark creature like Balthazar to ash.”

I looked up at him. “I’ve never felt anything like that before. What’s happening to me?”

“Your power is strengthening. Maybe Balthazar had something to do with that, but he couldn’t corrupt it. You’re too strong. Your father must be extremely—” He broke off, studying my face as if seeing me in a new light, connecting pieces of a puzzle he’d been trying to solve since we met.

“You mean I could kill Balthazar?” Even saying his name took energy I didn’t have. Weariness wound around me even tighter, making my thoughts as heavy as my limbs.

He shook his head, his expression grave. “No. Balthazar is only one level under Satan. Not even Michael the Archangel could kill him. But you might be able to banish him to Hell.” His voice carried the dark wisdom of countless lifetimes. “That’s why he wants your blood—angelic power as strong as yours could force him back to the Pit. He wants to possess you and corrupt that power before you learn how to use it against him.”

My stomach lurched at the word “possess”. The room spun slightly as the true weight of Angelo’s words hit me. I wasn’t just some random target—I was a weapon. One that could send a demon prince back to Hell. No wonder Balthazar had been so intent on binding me to him. “So that’s why he—” I couldn’t finish the sentence, the memories of what he’d done still too fresh—forcing me to heal Shannon again and again.

“I felt the darkness trying to consume me,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “But I fought it. I think it was my love for you that kept me from going darkside, Angelo. Even in my weakest moment, it was you who bound me to the light.”

His arms tightened around me, and I felt a low growl vibrate through his chest. “You fought off a demon prince’s corruption. For me.” His fangs descended, possessive hunger darkening his eyes. “Let Balthazar come. Let him try to take you away from me.” He pressed his lips to my forehead, the gesture both tender and fierce. “He’ll see what happens.”

Enzo looked at Angelo. “But Balthazar will try and steal her. He’s not one to give up. Neither is Gage.” His voice hardened. “He desperately needs her to heal the Luparion Crystal , especially now that Trystan is on the hunt for him.”

“I know.” Angelo’s voice was heavy with grim certainty.

Dimitri glanced between us, his sardonic smirk deepening. “Well, this is a delightful plot twist. A demon lord teaming up with a wannabe wolf king. Gage wants to overthrow the current alpha, and Balthazar... what? Decided to play supernatural kingmaker for shits and giggles?” His eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Unless there’s something about wolf blood that our friendly neighborhood demon needs for his master plan.”

Angelo met his gaze. “My guess is that Gage summoned Balthazar and sold him his soul in exchange for his help in becoming king.”

I rubbed my slick forehead. “But Balthazar said that it was one of the four mafia kings who summoned him, not Gage. He just wouldn’t tell me which one.”

“Then we’ll have to find out which king bears the mark of a demonic pact,” Angelo said, his eyes fixed on me with new understanding. “Your angelic power—it can sense dark magic.”

“Finally,” Dimitri smirked, though his eyes tracked the swirling smoke with barely concealed unease. “Some concrete answers in this supernatural soap opera.”

My heart picked up speed despite my exhaustion. The air around me felt different now, and I tasted corruption on my tongue. A wave of darkness hit me, an oily slick sensation that made my skin crawl and my stomach swirl uneasily. I moistened my lips. “Something’s happening. I taste something foul, and I feel like I’m going to be sick.”

“Your angelic blood has gotten stronger,” Angelo said grimly. “Strong enough that it can detect demonic magic. The mark of Hell can’t hide from Heaven’s power.”

I looked around the room wildly, my heart hammering against my ribs. Everything felt heavy: my arms, my legs, even my eyelids. My powers, so overwhelming just minutes ago, were now as useful as a dead battery. “Demonic magic? Does that mean Balthazar came back?”

Pascal burst into the room out of breath. “We got trouble. Rankin and Hunter are here.”

As if one crisis wasn’t enough. Angelo’s expression darkened as he looked at Elena and Gianna. “You two go down there and greet them. Offer them refreshments. I want everything to look normal.”

“But Angelo—” Gianna protested.

He snapped his fingers. “Now.”

Elena clasped Gianna’s arm. “Come, ma chérie .”

Gianna grumbled and threw up her arms as she followed Elena out of the room. I envied their steady steps—even standing was becoming a monumental task.

Angelo turned to me, power radiating off him in waves that made my weakened knees want to buckle. “You, however, are staying put.”

I pushed my shoulders back, ignoring how much effort that simple movement took. The room might be spinning, but I met his fierce gaze anyway. “But you just said that my angelic blood can detect demon magic.” I swallowed against the lingering taste of corruption. “I need to be there when you question the kings. I’m the only one who can sense if any of them have made a pact with Balthazar.”

His fangs descended, centuries of protective instinct warring across his face. The air grew heavy with his power, making Dimitri and Luigi exchange uneasy looks. Even in my drained state, I could feel the predator rising in him.

Enzo took a step forward. “You need to stay in control, boss. You don’t want Rankin or Hunter suspect you’re losing control.”

“You’re weak as hell.” He grabbed my arm, gentle despite his harsh tone. “You don’t want either Rankin or Hunter sensing you’re weak right now. You’re not going.”

Pride made me square my shoulders again. “I’m not weak.” The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

“Please. You can barely stand.” He pointed at Luigi. “Move her to the library. She gets hurt again and you and I are meeting in my interrogation room. Do I make myself clear?” The temperature in the room seemed to drop at his words.

Luigi swallowed, his Adam’s apple moving up and down like he was trying to dislodge ice. “She won’t.”

I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists, fighting both exhaustion and frustration. I wanted to argue, but if I did, he’d probably have Luigi tie me up. Angelo didn’t make idle threats when it came to my safety. The thought of what his “interrogation room” might contain was enough to make even my sluggish mind wince in sympathy for Luigi.

Then again, if I was lucky, there might be a book in the library about angelic blood that could help me understand what I was becoming—even though right now just walking there felt like it would take whatever scraps of energy I had left.