Rynna snorted, advancing on the monster.As if that asshole would ever do anything to help her.
She dragged the tip of her sword through the dirt, carving a lazy line behind her.
“If you think I give a rat’s ass about some hypocritical desert spirit playing at godhood, you’re even more stupid than you look.” She extended her blade before her, steel catching the light and throwing it back across the demon’s chest like a challenge.
The demon faltered, eyes snagging on the sword, and something like recognition sputtered beneath its sneer. Rynna’s mouth pulled tight at one corner. Malekar had been right, at least about the value of a gruesome reputation.
“I have no quarrel with you, vampire queen.” It paused. “In fact…killing these fools together could be fun. There’s plenty of blood to share.”
“Unlikely.” Her hands tingled, nerves crawling along her bones like threads being drawn too tight.
Without Josh nearby, the Hunger rose, louder now near all the death and blood.Feed. Drink. Tear. Rend.Not even drowning herself in wine had dulled it for long.
The demon sensed it. She saw the knowing creep into its eyes as it spread its claws wide, then stooped to snatch a cowering woman by the hair. One finger lengthened, bone sharpening to a cruel point before it drew a shallow cut down the woman’s cheek.
As the blood welled, bright and fresh, Rynna’s teeth ached, then fangs pushed lower from her gums. She wanted it, could practically taste the woman’s blood and panic. Now.
“No.” A sound broke loose from her mouth, half hunger,half need.
Her toes inched forward as she licked her lips, the familiar red haze glazing over her eyes. It would be so…easy.
Then—
Fingers like iron caught her wrist, wrenching her back in a violent pivot. And the world spun with her, until she landed face to face with Malachi.
Her heart kicked once, shame flooding her face. But it wasn’t her wayward friend behind those endless eyes.
“Rynna.” Malachi’s lips moved with Josh’s voice behind them. “You are loved. You need only love yourself.”
Everything stilled.
“I’m sorry,” she choked, even as the Hunger raged through her, scratching at her skull, demanding blood and feasting.
But that voice. Those words. They folded around her like silk-wrapped hands, steadying her where nothing else could reach.
The Hunger roared. It had been held at bay for too long, butheheld her, offering his faith, despite whatever trials he was facing on his own.
Her eyes squeezed shut.
No.She told the darkness inside her.Today was not the day she’d give in. Today, it would have to wait.
Her eyes snapped open, and the world sharpened. Colors struck harder, and sounds rang clearer. Every breath rasped aching from her lungs.
She grabbed Malachi by the collar and crushed her mouth to his. Wine, sweat, fear—all of it tangled on her tongue. And his warmth, fused with the remnants of Josh’s love, answered the emptiness within her in a way blood never could, filling those hollow, broken spaces with peace instead of pain.
I can do this.She blinked back the wetness building between her lashes.
When she broke away, Malachi inhaled like he was surfacing from deep water. A flush crept up his neck, blooming red beneath the scruff on his jaw.
“Well,” he said, voice rough, “you can do that any damn time you want.”
Rynna huffed a laugh, rolling her eyes as she turned back toward the demon.
“Gotta deal with this shithead first,” she growled, then launched herself at the demon before it could register the change.
Rynna ducked beneath the demon’s outstretched arm, the woman’s legs dangling uselessly above her, and the ground bit at her palms as she caught herself, muscles tensing. Then she pushed away from the earth, driving her body upward with every ounce of force behind her legs.
Her blade caught and bit deep, slicing through thick meat from ribs to shoulder until resistance gave way with a wet snap of tendon. With a sickening squelch, the limb came free, black ichor spilling over her face as she landed in a crouch. Beside her, the severed arm hit the dirt, twitching once before going still. And the woman, no longer in the demon’s hold, fell to the ground, choking on air as she scrabbled backward on wobbling limbs.
