She lets out a piercing scream, and the guards descend on us, but I’m already moving. In one breath, more silver energy pulses over the floor, snapping the magic holding Sin.
I throw myself in front of him, ready to end them all. But even as he chokes on blood, there’s a flash of light and the guards disintegrate.
From the corner of my eye, I spot the old woman lunging toward Lilanthara. Sin’s power flares again, just as the Harvester throws down another crystal and the two women vanish.
Chapter 49
Vivian’s Point of View
Rule forty-nine:Don’t go knocking on death’s door. Blowing it up is much more efficient.
The stone floor scrapes my knees as I drop and pull Sin’s body against mine. Sobs wrack through me, and his blood is sticky and warm as it smears over my skin. There are slashes all over his lips and neck, still dribbling blood from the vines Lilanthara grew inside him.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” I plead between gasps. “I didn’t want to risk using my Reaper power. I was afraid the magic would trap me too, and I wanted my hands free to fight,” I ramble, even as his strong arms wrap around me.
His skin knits back together before my tear-filled eyes. He coughs, and this time, only a few droplets of blood splatter onto the ground.
“Worried about me, kitten?” He rasps, and there’slaughterin his tone.
I swat his arm and pull back enough to glare at him. “Of course, I was worried! You were choking on your own blood. Are you okay?” I search for any other signs of bleeding but find none.
He gives me a devilish grin. Blood stains his teeth. “Good as new.”
“I’m sorry I got you hurt. I was stupid, I–”
He reaches over and cups the nape of my neck, tugging me closer in a possessive gesture. “You did fucking perfect.”
Then he kisses me. His mouth claims mine, and my skirt rides up as he drags me atop him. His tongue sweeps into my mouth, swallowing my moan.
My fingers curl into his hair, and I return the kiss with equal passion.
There’s a scuff behind us, and my eyes dart open, only now remembering the redhead is still here.
Of course, she’s still here. Where else would she be?
Why am I so bad at life?
Flushing, I yank away from Sin. “Uhm, sorry. Hi. I’m Vivian, and this is Sin. We–”
She rolls her eyes and cuts me off. “I know who you are. Everyone does.”
Nothing about her demeanor suggests she’s happy to meet us, and she makes no move to introduce herself.
I’m not entirely sure what to say, and I’m saved from trying when Sin helps me stand.
Still, the redhead continues to stare at us silently. The longer the silence grows, the more the animosity hangs between us.
Sin is molded against my back, and a quick glance over my shoulder confirms he’s eyeing her suspiciously.
Something tugs in my gut. I should probably salvage this. From the rings on her necklace, I’m pretty sure she’s working for Ragna. That means she might be an ally.
Alternatively, Ragna sent us to her realm to screw us over.
That would suck – a lot.
“Look, we know the way out of here, so we can take you home,” I offer, trying to extend an olive branch.
Unmoved, she turns on her heel, heading for a door on our left. “Not until we figure out what Lilanthara was doing here.”
