“Sacrifices, I think.”
I can barely catch my breath when she says, “You don’t remember.”
I shake my head, reliving the memory. My brothers were holding me back. I must have been trying to stop the ritual, to stop whatever curse Essentria wanted to enact. Likely on me.
“Nyxara stole my memories, but when I touch you,” I say, running my shadows over her. “I see glimpses.”
“Essentria killed one of them.”
“Do you believe me now, Poison?”
“Yes,” she whispers, her nails digging into my arms, and sparks fly through my skin.
“If you use Cyna’s magic against me again,” I warn, spitting his name like venom. “I will hurt you.”
She holds her breath, then glances down at the bulge in my pants, dragging her teeth over her bottom lip, noticing the effect she has on me.
“Cali?” The traitor’s voice breaks the spell, and my shadows retreat from her. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” she blurts out, placing several feet between us.
I cast a glance at the boy, my lips curving into a smile, as I watch him practically vibrate with rage. “Go inside, traitor. We’re in the middle of something.”
His jaw slacks, gazing at Cali.
She shakes her head, glaring at me while curling and uncurling her fingers. “We are not in the middle of anything,” she hisses, her cheeks flushing pink, then turns to Drake. “I was looking for you.”
“That’s not what it looked like,” he mumbles as my shadows poise to attack. “Never mind. It’s not like I can do anything about it.”
“You’re right. Now go inside,” I command.
“Don’t leave,” Cali states. “We’re done here.”
He tsks. “I’ll leave you to it. Clearly, his vile magic has tainted your brain.”
“What? Drake!” Calista calls as he pushes past us. She tries to follow him, but I grab her wrist before she can reach the door, then curl her back into my embrace.
Her back lands against my torso, and I lower my whisper to her earlobe. “I should kill him for that comment.” I run my hands around her waist, surprised when she sinks into my arms.
“He’s right,” she says.
“Your magic is beautiful,” I purr, shockwaves throbbing through my length as her chest heaves. My fingers trickle over the front of her dress, tracing lower, until I hit my mark. “Do you feel that?” I ask, dragging the shadows from her core before they slip out of her fingers, caressing me. “You’re more powerful than you realize.”
Her head flops back against my chest, her neck exposed, and I bring my lips to them, scraping my teeth over her delicate skin. Lust consumes me as she backs into me, the scent of her arousal driving me to the edge of madness.
“Stop,” she says as my lips travel lower, tasting her sweat against my tongue. Her body stiffens, her shadows forming a dance of illusory swirls around us. “I hate you.”
“You said that already,” I murmur against her throat.
She gasps for air; her shadows a flurry of glittering darkness as mine ribbon from my hands, fusing with hers.
“I’m not powerful,” she divulges, vulnerability cracking in her voice. “I was useless against Edwardo. I’ve been a fucking liability, and your magic depleted the moment I needed it to kill Rourne.”
“That was me. My siblings took their powers back, and it weakened me temporarily.”
Her shadows quake, burrowing deeper as she loses confidence in our power. “Nonetheless,” she says. “I was useless against Edwardo, even with my powers.”
I whip my head around as footsteps shuffle from within the trees. Someone’s watching us. I close my eyes, sensing their racing hearts and their magic—my magic.
“Someone’s here,” I whisper as two figures emerge. They halt upon seeing me, and Calista backs toward the house, her instinct to protect her loved ones igniting.
They stare from the tree line, sharing hushed whispers when they see me. Their panicked gulps widen my grin. “Come out,” I order, and the older boy pushes the girl in front of him. Coward.
“We, uh, did not know you were here, God of Death,” she says, her stare passing from me to Calista, confliction wrinkling her soft, tanned features.
“I will not stop you,” I say, my voice booming. “Go ahead.”
The girl hesitates and the boy steps up beside her. “W—we don’t—I mean, you are, and well we are,” she splutters, unable to finish a fucking thought.
“Finish them,” I command, and the pair straighten their posture. “Or you do not deserve my power.”
Calista glares at me, slack jawed.
I step back as they approach the house, and I lean against a tree, my eyes alight as Calista’s magic bubbles over, searing hot in her veins. Her energy tornadoes my powers from here, still fused together.
I catch one last glance before she turns to Briar, her shadows poised like vipers.
Good girl. Now let’s see what you can do.
