Vero started reading the pages.
Drake rolled his eyes, grabbed the bound book, and opened it to a page near the back. “Start here. We don’thave all day.”
Vero started reading. He stiffened and his eyes widened. His jaw dropped, and he flipped over another page, then another. He slowly looked up at Paxton.
“What?” Paxton asked. “What did...?” Dread slithered down his spine. He opened his mouth, but hecouldn’t speak.
Growling, Hunter yanked the book away and read it quickly. “Holy fuck,” he muttered, scanning another page. “Seriously?” He looked toward Drake, then Paxton, then Vero. “How is thiseven possible?”
Paxton remained silent, searching again for a glimpse of Hope in any of the upstairs windows ofthe main lodge.
Drake chuckled, and the sound was grating. “Apparently the Kurjans have been conducting experiments for much longer than anybody realized.”
“Meaning what?” Paxton asked softly, returning his attention to the bastard who’dkidnapped him.
“Meaning you’re not a vampire-demon hybrid, Paxton Phoenix,” Drake said.
Pax remained silent, knowing Drake would continue. In the quiet, Drake looked at Hunter and cocked his head. His gaze became speculative. “Drake? You going to sleep there?” Paxton drawled, yanking his attention back where it should be.
Drake slowly turned to appraise him, near glee in his bizarre eyes. “You are a Kurjan-demon hybrid. You and Vero shared a father. Talt was a real bastard who liked to kill people slowly, and I have no doubt you’re just as twisted.” Drake threw back his head and laughed. “Welcome home, cousin. It is fitting you shall die amongst your own people.”
* * * *
Just as Lyrica finished speaking, the door opened. All three women took a step back.
General Ulric stepped inside, more imposing and terrifying in real life than Hope had feared. She’d met him in his horrific prison world during a dream, but now that he was free, it appeared he’d rebuilt his health.
He stood to about six nine and was four hundred pounds of solid, raw muscle. His face was so pale he looked like a ghost, and one long line of white hair bisected his too-pale scalp and was braided down his back. He wore the battle gear of the Cyst and the Kurjans: black combat pants, a black vest with a multitude of medallions on his left breast, and black boots that had to be size twenty-four.
“Get out,” he ordered.
Lyrica and Genevieve scrambled to edge around him and flee. Hope couldn’t blame them.
She felt ridiculous in the fairy-tale gown, but even so, she put her shoulders back and her chin high. “It’s been a while, Ulric.” She was shocked that her voicedidn’t tremble.
“I remember,” he said. “It was kind of you to visit me in myprison world.”
“Eh.” She lifted a shoulder. “I didn’t have anything going on that day.”
His gaze raked her body. “Do you know where my Intendedis right now?”
“Nope. She’s mated. It’s too late for you to find her.”
He leaned closer, staring at her. It was an intimidating look. “My Destiny. I can’t wait to have her back in my hands.”
Dessie was currently mated to Garrett Kayrs, which meant there was no way she’d end up anywhere near Ulric again.
“You keep telling yourself that, buddy.” Hope tilted her head. “You know, I do wonder though. Since she’s an immortal mate who will live forever, does that mean you won’t get another Intended?” To her knowledge, there could only be one Intended living atany given time.
“I’ve found my one. I shall retake Destiny as soon as I finish our current campaign.”
“What isthat campaign?”
He looked her over from head to toe. “You appear mighty breakable to me, Lock.”
A frisson of fear crept down her spine, but she didn’t let him see it. “I imagine most females look breakable to you.” It was good that he underestimated her. She didn’t know how, but if the chance came to kill him, shewould take it.
“Tell me about the final ritual. Do you know how to kill me?” He drawled the words as if playing with her, but an intense curiosity swirled in his creepy purplish red eyes.
