The crowd gets restless. Demons shift on their feet, voices rise, threatening to turn into a mob.
Macen turns to Zarreth. “You need to leave. Garrick is watching over Bloodridge. His mate is there, she’s a witch, a healer.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done,” Zarreth says in a low voice.
Macen’s gaze sweeps the uneasy crowd. “I know they don’t see it now, but they will. Because of you and your mate, Aradon is dead and Dante is captured.”
Graven scoops Jess into his arms with surprising gentleness. Sable pushes herself up, her voice cutting through the chaos. “Where are you going?”
“Bloodridge,” he says, adjusting Jess in his arms.
Her eyes narrow, but I still catch the hurt before she buries it. “You’re choosing a human over me? Over us?”
He doesn’t bother glancing at her. “I’m not choosing anyone. I gave my word I would protect her and I failed. The least I can do is take her pain away.”
“I thought you didn’t care about humans,” she spits.
His mouth curves into a humorless smile. “I don’t, but I was never going to choose you, Sable. You were just a good time.”
Her face tightens like she can’t believe someone would turn her down. I don’t hear her response because the ground yanks out from under me and we trace away.
CHAPTER 23
Zarreth
Frankie anxiously looks around the moment we materialize outside Bloodridge’s stronghold. The city sprawls at the mountain's base. Fires crawl through alleys, stone walls are scorched and cracked. Doors hang broken with deep claw marks sliced through them. Bones and shattered weapons litter the streets. Aradon was filth, but demons feared him, which kept them in line. Garrick is going to bleed himself dry trying to clean up this mess.
“Where’s Jess?” she asks, turning in a circle. “Jess!”
“She’ll be here soon. Graven is young, so it takes him longer to trace.” I flap my wings, removing as much ash from them as possible. Unlike Fairhaven, there’s no wall to stop the wind from blowing ash and soot everywhere, only the jagged mountain itself.
Tears fill Frankie’s eyes as the aftermath of what happened fully hits her. Her brother, her only family, just tried killing her best friend. “What if Jess doesn’t make it? Or what if she does, and she’s sired to Dante?”
Wrapping my wings around her to block the wind, I pull her into my arms. “Dante’s in the Hole. He won’t be getting out any time soon.” I would know. I’ve tried many times.
A cloud of smoke forms right next to us as Graven lands on his knees, Jess passed out in his arms. She’s pale, limp. And although I can hear her heartbeat in a steady rhythm, it’s taking a toll on Graven. His skin is gray, eyes bloodshot, and he’s not doing a very good job of hiding the pain on his face.
Frankie runs, nearly colliding with them as she hits her knees and places a hand on Jess’ forehead. “Shit! She has a fever. Is she in pain?”
Graven’s nostrils flare as a low growl makes its way through his throat. “Not as much as she deserves to be in. We wouldn’t be in this mess if she’d fucking listen.”
Frankie’s green eyes are sharp with anger as they shoot to his. She opens her mouth, but quickly snaps it shut, probably biting back an insult. “I appreciate what you’re doing, taking her pain and all, but she was only trying to save Lucy.”
“Yeah well, look what good it did. All she accomplished was getting a demon killed because she can’t follow directions, and now I’m stuck draining my powers to keep her alive. So, sorry if I’m not exactly thrilled with her at the moment.”
She purses her lips together, but ignores his statement. I can tell she’s trying to summon her magic, but nothing is happening. “Dammit! We gotta find the healer. You don’t look like you’re going to make it much longer either.”
“She’s got a point, Graven. You need to pull your powers back. If you pass out, you won’t do anyone any good.”
He stands, wincing briefly before plastering a cocky half-smile to his face. “You two worry too much. I’ve got this.” He pulls Jess closer to his body and eyeballs the stronghold behind me. “Lead the way.”
The monstrous structure rises from the mountain, cutting into jagged walls and black stone doors. Above them, Erebus is carved into the rock, horns jutting forward, like the God is watching over all who enter. Two guards stand motionless at their posts beneath it.
Garrick and his mate have taken up Aradon’s old chambers, so I know exactly where to go. I know every level inside—the holding cells, torture chambers, all of it. I used to see this place through bars, but standing here now, free, it feels different.
We’re inside the quarters in a matter of minutes. Graven lowers Jess onto the bed and steps back to remove his shirt. The moment he breaks contact, a painful scream rips through the air. Frankie is by her side in an instant, squeezing her hand as Jess’ back arches off the mattress, another scream working its way through her body.
“Undress her,” Graven orders while he strips, tossing his gear to the side.
