That was as far as Bastien got before I turned away, facing the woods, my hand wrapping around my throat.Imogen. Her story about the goddesses, her prediction about me… dying. Was it all true?
“Every word of it.”
“You have to know that I have only ever loved you,” Bastien said, mistaking my horror for jealousy.
“I know. It’s not that.”
Twigs snapped in the distance. Bastien’s attention returned to the treeline, his vampire eyes seeing things that I couldn’t.
My wolves, who had been pacing around the circle, growled in warning. And when they did, I knew they were out there. The werewolves. The ones Mama would’ve given anything to create. Even… her daughter.
My hand slipped from the choker and curled into a fist.
The power. I needed access to my power.
Bastien shifted to sit beside me, offering his quiet strength even though I sensed his fear—for me, for us, for whatever was coming. Instead of voicing those anxieties, we simply watched the trees and shadows. He reached for my hand, fingers entwining with mine. He believed he could protect me—with his army, with his life—but in the end, none of it would matter. My death felt inevitable.
Tears welled in my eyes. I was going to die. Mama’s spellwouldclaim my life. I wanted to tell him everything.All of it. But if he knew that I was going to die, he would become something unrecognizable. Because as much as I had a piece of this demon inside me, so did he.
“If you perform the ritual and give me the sacrifices I want,”the demon taunted,“I’ll reestablish the bloodline. And you can save yourself.”
I didn’t like that this demon had grown comfortable inside my head. He sounded completely untrustworthy. I couldn’t decide if he was trying to manipulate me for his own gain or if what he was saying was true. But if I did nothing, if I took no chances, I was going to die anyway. Whether as punishment for Bastien’s past or to secure whatever future Mama envisioned for herself.
I, however, had the agency to make the choice. Just like I had when those two staircases presented themselves to me. I could stick with what felt safe, or I could descend. I could wait for death to claim me, or try to do something to stop it. And I already knew what my choice was.
“Claire,” Bastien said gently, “let’s go back to camp. I sent Natalia to Chastity’s Stronghold. They will open the archway from the inside. We just need to defend ourselves until then.” He set my hand on his chest, right over his silent heart. “You don’t have to become something you’re not just to save everyone. I’m sorry that this demon is trying to take out his revenge on me through you.”
Stay safe. Take the upward staircase. Let me protect you.
I understood what he was saying, but the more pressing question was who I needed to become to save myself. Or Sera? Or Alec, who disappeared into the woods trying to warn me. Or my friends who had selflessly followed me to fight for something bigger than my comfort. And I knew my husband understood that.
“You gave up your life to become a vampire. To be someonestrong enough to save everyone,” I told him. “Let me be strong too.”
“Claire,” he said, covering my hand with his. “He is dangerous.”
“All demons are dangerous,” I answered quickly. Words I’d grown up believing. But another truth also lived inside of me. “But a Dark Witch’s power isn’t inherently dangerous, no matter who she got it from. Magick only responds to the witch’s intentions. And you’ve spent a long time teaching me that I am not bad.” I touched the side of his face. “Please. Trust me.”
My wolves howled again.
Bastien looked at me for a long moment. “If this is what you really want, then I’ll all in.”
Chapter 19
L’Offrande
CLAIRE
Inormally wouldn’t hesitate to give my body to him, but every rustle of leaves had me on edge. I told myself it was only the trees shifting. Still, my skin prickled as if we were being watched.
“Are you having second thoughts?” my husband asked.
Absently, I wiped my mouth on my sleeve, imagining how horrifying I must look. No wonder he was worried. My nerves were a tangled knot, buzzing just beneath my skin. I tried to find something—anything—to break the tension, to keep myself from unraveling.
“No,” I said grimly. “I was just wishing Devlinn and Tansy were here.” He gave me a quizzical look, and a humorless laugh escaped my lips. “So we can ask them how to do it.”
For a moment, the absurdity of the situation hung between us. I almost wanted to laugh for real if it weren’t for the fear pressing against my ribs. Did he think I was losing my nerve? Or just losing my mind? Maybe both.
He smiled. “Not all magick needs to be taught. Follow your intuition.”
