"What's the matter, sweetheart?" Azrael's voice oozes through the phone, with false concern, making my skin crawl. "Cat got your tongue?"
Anger surges through me, white-hot and blinding. "If you hurt him, I swear to God, Azrael—"
"You'll what, Dani?" he cuts me off, his tone mocking. "Kill me? We both know how well that's worked out for you. Why don't you quit playing the hero and embrace the pathetic, bleeding heart you've always been?"
I squeeze my eyes shut, a traitorous tear escaping and burning a path down my cheek. "What do you want?" I manage through gritted teeth. My jaw clenched so tight it aches.
"I think you know," Azrael chuckles, the sound grating against my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. "But since you're playing dumb, I'll spell it out for you. It starts with an 'S' and ends with a 'tone.' You've been such a good little puppy, fetching my toys for me."
His laughter echoes in my ear, and I fight the urge to retch. My legs give out, and I slide down the wall, collapsing to the floor in a boneless heap—Damon's face flashes—my baby brother is the only family I have left. If I give Azrael the stone, there's no telling what horrors he'll unleash. But if I don't...
"Fine," I whisper, my voice barely audible over my heart pounding. "But I need to know he's okay. Let me talk to him."
"Even better."
My phone buzzes. I accept the Facetime call with shaking hands, steeling myself for what I'm about to see. The image that fills the screen rips a silent scream from my throat, my hand flies to my mouth to stifle the sound.
Damon, my little brother, is tied to a chair, his face a mess of blood and bruises. His head lolls forward, his eyes barely open, and my heart shatters in my chest.
Azrael's face appears. His dark hair, black eyes, and twisted smile stretch his lips. "Tick-tock, Dani. What's it going to be?" He grabs Damon's matted hair, yanking his head back and shoving the phone in his face. "Say hello to your sister, Damon. She wants to make sure you're doing okay."
"D-Dani," Damon croaks, his voice weak and broken. "Don't. Stay awa—"
Azrael's hand connects with Damon's head in a sickening crack, and my brother's head snaps forward, hanging limply. Rage explodes inside me, a roaring inferno that consumes every other emotion.
"I'm going to fuckingkillyou, Azrael," I seethe, my voice shaking with the force of my anger.
"Idle threats, my dear," Azrael scoffs. "I'm giving you one last chance—the stone for your brother's life. I'm being more than generous here, but my patience is wearing thin. So, what's it going to be?"
"Fine," I spit, the word tasting like acid on my tongue. "Just tell me where. And I swear to God if you lay another finger on him—"
"Ah ah ah," Azrael tuts, wagging his finger at the screen. "No need for dramatics. Meet mealone—DO NOTbring that shitstain Viking with you, either. I'm feeling nostalgic, how about coming to your lovely parents' old place.You remember where that is, don't you?" His smile turns predatory, his black eyes glinting with malice. "Oh, that's right. You do. It's where my dogs tore your parents to shreds. Such a tragedy."
Pain lances through my chest, stealing my breath. Memories of that night flash before my eyes—the blood, my parents dead and shredded to a pulp—Azrael's so-called hellhounds. I blink back tears, refusing to let him see me break.
Damon tries to speak, but Azrael shoves something in his mouth, silencing him. Another punch and Damon's head snaps to the side, blood trickling from his split lip.
"Stop!" I beg, my voice cracking. "I said I'll meet you. Just... please. Don't hurt him."
"Good girl," Azrael purrs. "You have three hours. Don't be late, and no fucking portals—I don't trust you and that magic. Come alone, or he dies."
The screen goes black, and the phone slips from my numb fingers, clattering to the floor. Sobs wrack my body, tears streaming down my face. I can't lose Damon. I can't. But Azrael made it clear—I have to come alone. If I don't, he'll kill Damon, and then he'll come for everyone else I love.
I have to do this. Alone.
Rhyland's voice echoes in my mind, concern lacing his words."Baby? You okay? I feel your sadness."
Shit. He can't know. I hastily wipe my tears, sniffing back my sobs."Yeah, I'm fine,"I lie, my voice surprisingly steady."Seraphina just told me something that upset me. But I'm okay."
"Okay,"Rhyland replies, sounding uncertain. "I'm in a meeting with the other vampires from the other countries. I'll be here another hour or so. Are you sure you're good?"
Relief washes over me. Rhyland will be occupied. It's the perfect opportunity for me to slip away unnoticed.
"Yup,"I chirp, forcing a cheerfulness I don't feel."You do you, boo. I'll see you after your meeting."
I end the connection before he can sense the lie in my words. Taking a deep breath, I push myself to my feet, my legs shaking. I have three hours to save my brother, to face the monster who's haunted us for months.
And I'll be damned if I let Azrael win this time.
