I’m so confused. Why would he stand by Dante and do his bidding, only to help me? Then it clicks. Of course, how could I forget. “You’re sired, aren’t you? I should’ve known you would never do this, not of your own free will, anyway.”
He doesn’t say anything, just closes his eyes and runs a hand through his hair.
“Answer me. You’re sired to Dante, right?”
“It’s not that simple.” His eyes plead with me to understand, but how can I?
“Itisthat simple! It’s a yes or no question. If you’re not sired, that means you chose to poison Jess. I don’t care what the fuck is going on. Nothing, NOTHING, would make me turn on my friends…my family.”
“Frankie, I…” He leaves the sentence hanging, like he’s debating on telling me more. When he doesn’t, I shake my head.
“You know what, fuck it. I won’t believe you anyway,” I say.
He swallows hard, jaw tightening for a beat. “I know.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small vial of liquid, shoving it in my hands. “Give half of this to Jess and half to an unmated, pure-blooded demon. It won’t completely stop the change, but it will buy you time while you find a cure.”
I don’t trust him, but what other option is there? I tentatively take the vial from his hand. “What does it do?” The green liquid rolls along the glass when I turn it over. It’s the same color as the gross spinach smoothies Jess used to make.
“It will ease her pain and slow the change,” he says quietly. “The potion binds whoever drinks it, letting them share the demon’s immortality. But it only works if they stay close to one another. It won’t last forever, but it will keep her alive for a while.”
I wonder how he knows this, but don’t bother asking. I can’t believe anything he says anyway. “How can I trust you?”
His eyes fall for a second, not bothering to answer before he disappears. The heaviness in the air lifts, and everything is back to normal.
I study Jess’ pale face, the festering bite, her absolute stillness. My gaze slides to the vial. Whether Nate’s lying or not, whether she dies or not, at least she won’t be sired to Dante.
CHAPTER 25
Zarreth
Frankie impatiently stares at me. “We can’t waste any more time. The change could be completed any minute now.”
I traced back here the moment I felt her disappear, knowing it was another black-out episode. Nate is fucking lucky he left with his life. If I were one minute sooner, things would’ve ended very differently.
“I’m all for saving Jess, but it’ll be difficult to find a demon who’d share their life essence with a human.” I’d do it, for Frankie, I would, but apparently the mating bond might reject the potion altogether.
The desperation seeping from her eyes nearly breaks me as she says. “Ronin would do it, but…” She winces, voice trailing off like she’s remembering the sound of his screams.Ronin.
Graven rounds the corner, his jaw set. “I’ll do it.”
Frankie gasps, and for the first time since we’ve been here, she leaves Jess’ side and runs to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. “You will?” When she pulls back, his shirt is wet from her tears.
His eyes meet mine, pleading for me not to kill him for touching my mate when he steps back. “She was my responsibility and I failed her. I need to do this.”
I clap him on the shoulders. “Thank you, Graven. We could never repay you for what you’ve done for us, but I will spend the rest of my life trying.”
He looks uncomfortable, but quickly shrugs it off. “What can I say, the human was starting to grow on me.” He takes the vial from Frankie’s hand. “Here goes nothing.”
He downs half of the green substance. The look on his face lets us know it doesn’t taste the best, but nothing strange has happened yet.
Frankie pours the remainder of it into Jess’ mouth and leans forward until their foreheads touch. “Can I have a moment alone with her?”
I run a hand down her back. “Of course, Melita. Just yell if you need anything.”
Graven paces in the next room, looking for any weird reaction to the potion. “How do you feel?”
He holds his hands out, looking down at himself. “Fine. I’m surprised—” His arms wrap around his stomach when he doubles over. “Fuuck!” He grits out between his clenched teeth. A painful scream cuts through the walls.
