Despite that, it was better than staying.
“Kara!” Sebastian’s voice cut through the chaos—then vanished.
I felt his arms ripped away, leaving only scorching wind and blinding light. I couldn’t open my eyes. The brightness burned, searing straight through my lids. Then—
A hand latched onto me. Squeezed so tightly, it sent terror slicing through me.
Then I wasout—flung from the portal like a stone from a slingshot. I hit the ground hard, skidding across a stony path. Pebbles tore at my skin. I screamed, hands scraping desperately across the ground, trying to stop the momentum.
The hand never let go.
I thought—hoped—it was Sebastian. Somehow, he had followed me through.
But when I finally rolled to a stop and turned, it wasn’t him.
Melinda.
She clutched my wrist with everything she had, blood streaking down her face like paint. Her skin looked like it had been grated across the stone—torn, raw, and red. But worse…her flesh sizzled, steam rising in tendrils. Angry burns marred her arms, her collar, her side.
“Mel—” I choked, pain ripping through my ribs as I tried to move.
I forced myself to look down—and gasped.
I wasn’t in better shape. My clothes were nearly gone, burned off in uneven patches. My skin steamed and ached as if I’d been set on fire from the inside out.
Melinda groaned beside me, her face twisting. Her eyelids fluttered as if she might lose consciousness—then she snapped upright, her eyes locking on mine.
Where was Sebastian?
“Are you—” I didn’t get the chance to finish.
“Quickly!” a shrill, nasally voice rang out, too close. “The Devil will find her any second—then you’ll lose your chance!”
He’s coming.
I shoved myself up, joints creaking, every nerve screaming. I called for my scythe, and the moment it materialized in my hand, I turned—just as two werewolves lunged out of the mist.
I didn’t hesitate.
I slashed the first across the shoulder. He howled.
The second leapt. I dropped to my knees, spun low, andrammedthe blade into his gut. The force flung him backward like a rag doll.
Only then did I look up.
Demons. Everywhere.
A sickening army surrounded the clearing, eyes glowing, claws gleaming, breath steaming in the cold. Every species. Every kind. Encircling us like a pack of vultures.
And standing at the front of the horde—his flaming skull rising high, flickering with cruel anticipation—stoodHarvest.
His fire flared with a pulse of triumph.
My heart stuttered.
I tightened my grip on the scythe.
Not again. Not like this.
