Chapter 34
Phoebe
When Cain left my fateto Malachi, something inside of me broke. The rage and frustration I’d felt at my helplessness couldn’t be contained. It pulsed inside my veins, demanding release.
It was as if a quiet power had always been lurking in me, held in check and biding its time.But now, with the necklace no longer hiding me, it also no longer shielded this energy, this new power.My mind still whirled at the revelation, but I didn’t have time to ponder its deeper truth.
Malachi’s cold gaze swept over me as he reached for my shoulder. “You’ve become much more interesting, little Nephilim.”
“Don’t. Touch. Me.” My teeth chattered and my mind spun. The pressure beating through my blood continued to build.
My emotions must have fed the power. But how did I willingly use it? Even when Brian had scared me, right after Cain had stolen the pendant, I hadn’t felt such a rushing sense of energy surging through my veins.
Perhaps all I needed to awaken the power is the true terror of standing before the Prince of Hell.
It pooled under my skin, surging toward the palms of my hands. Now, the trick would be learning how to use it. Cain had always flicked a wrist or shot the dark energy from his fingers.
With a smile that sent a thousand invisible insects crawling over my skin, Malachi’s teeth flashed, then he clamped a hand on my shoulder, pulling me to his chest. “Oh, how furious you must be not knowing how to use what you’ve been given. Whoever protected you throughout the years also did a disservice by suppressing your...” His stare dipped down my body then back to my face. “Skills.”
I threw a palm against his naked chest. It was hot and sweaty. Just touching Malachi made me want to vomit. I’d seen his cruelty and appetite for power. He’d stop at nothing to get what he thought the world owed him.
Pressure continued to run through my bones, and I mentally imagined shooting energy into Malachi’s body, pointing my fingers the same way I’d seen Cain do.
Nothing happened.Damn it.
“I’m willing to make you a deal.” Malachi dug his fingertips into my scapula, his sharp, black fingernails pressing through my clothing to prick the flesh. “Submit to me willingly and I’ll”—his tongue swiped his lips and a spark of desire flared in his eyes—“be your teacher.”
“Malachi, I thought you wanted her for a plaything.” Lucian yawned then pulled something from his pocket and absently rubbed a thumb over the silver metallic surface. It looked like a hairpin.
I balled my fists and shoved against Malachi’s chest. “You’re out of your—”
“I can teach you so much more than Cain.” His grip became a punishing vise, and I bit back a yelp.
In the distance, the angry volcano spewed more lava, the liquid magma shooting hundreds of feet into the air to rain cooling chunks of rock. They cracked the ground as they struck.
Lucian kicked a leg over an arm of his throne and brought the hairpin to his nose, inhaling deeply and closing his eyes as if savoring the scent.
“When Cain returns, all I require is for you to submit to me of your own accord. If you do, I promise you will not suffer.” Malachi’s breath, a mixture of fruit and spice, washed over me. My stomach turned. He might be striking and perfect on the outside, but on the inside, his hate festered and bled through his constant sneers and psychotic gaze.
“Never,” I whispered through the pain of his cruel touch.
More energy rose through me, as if the torture strengthened something lurking inside.Dad, God, or whoever’s listening, I can use your help right now.
“What a shame.” With his other hand, Malachi clutched the nape of my neck and squeezed. “I’d love to test Cain’s new commitment to forget about you. I don’t quite believe his sudden disinterest.” A sly smile curved Malachi’s lips. “And now he’s a Chosen, well...” He chuckled darkly. “He might decide he’d enjoy keeping you for himself.”
Black spots danced in my vision, and I moaned, clawing at Malachi’s skin, desperate to inflict pain. “I h-hope he never returns. He’s too good for this place, and a better man than you.”
Eyes narrowed, Malachi stilled and cocked his head. “True, but I’m not a man, and neither is he, nor you.”
The hard glass under my knees seemed to dig into my kneecaps as he pushed.If I faint, I’ll never make it out of here.
Like the rising crescendo of an orchestra, strength gathered in my chest, right where my heart beat erratically.
“I tire of this.” Malachi said, his voice lowering an octave. “If you won’t play, then I’ll improvise, and I promise...you’ll beg to take me up on my offer by the time I finish with your half-breed body.”
