“Sabastian,” Lore says, but there’s censure in her tone this time. Egan holds the wolf immobilized as she approaches. “Let him go,” she instructs the fallen. I can see his reluctance, but he does as she wishes.
I give the wolf a chance to speak for himself, to explain why he would be running away, but he doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity soon enough. “He’s terrified,” I begin. “He was trying to escape after he realized you were going to question this bitch.” I’ll wait to tell them the succubus was almost able to use her power to compel me into releasing her, because that’s not something everyone needs to know.
Lore rips her eyes from Sabastian and snarls to Egan. “Kill anyone who moves.”
“There’s no need for all of the fuss.” A woman appears from the crowd, stepping into the ring as if she were invited. Her hair is long and gray, but her face is smooth and unlined—a witch.
“I can’t do it, not again.” Sabastian lowers his head in what looks like shame as he speaks to the witch.
“I’ve always known you were weak.” Her flat tone makes the wolf cower even more. “You never deserved Sade.” Another witch steps forward with a pained expression on her face while gazing at Sabastian. The connection between the two of them is evident to everyone, especially when the wolf actually lifts his head to return her regard.
“Newly mated,” Lore says softly, looking between them.
“A worthless union,” the gray-haired witch sneers.
“Who are you?” Lore turns her attention to the speaker. “Other than a weak witch who knows how to pull strings?”
The witch’s lips curl into a mockery of a smile. “You can call me Aunty Circe.”
CHAPTER27
Lore
Puzzle piecesthat never fit together start slotting into place in my head.Aunty Circe.She must be my uncle’s mate.
“I can’t say it’s lovely to meet you, but I have been eager, if that softens the blow.” My spine is tingling. I want to kill them all, but the need for answers keeps me from slitting her throat. “And my cousin, is he around too?” I pretend to search the area.
Circe’s lips curve into a disgusted frown. “Dead, just like his father.”
I’m shocked by her reply. I want to say I don’t believe her, but the vehemence in her tone and the sheer hatred written on her face force me to think she’s telling the truth. Since the moment I knew of him, I’d been pinning these crimes on Adder, and he was just another victim.
“Not all halflings are as useful as Mezra.” She peers over her shoulder to acknowledge the succubus. This isn’t going like I expected. Good thing we planned well.
I nodmy head toward Cyrus, and he releases his grip on the demon long enough to wrap his hand under her chin and snap her neck with a deafening crack. Modeus drops the demon’s arm as if she’s contaminated and steps away from her as she plunges to the sand like a sack of potatoes. “Take her head,” I order, not wanting to leave any loose ends. Who knows if that’s enough to kill her?
“You are quite astounding,” Circe coos as she runs her eyes up and down my body, unbothered that we just killed one of her people.
“Is it the killing skills?” I taunt.
“Proof that you have what it takes. I propose an allegiance. You and I could take the entire Syndicate.” It’s a lame attempt to save her own life. She has to know there is no escape, and that’s why she came forward after realizing her plan had unraveled when the succubus cracked.
“Tell me how you trapped Harlow.” I pretend to barter with her as if I’m actually thinking about her proposal, but I’m not a very good actress, so I doubt she’ll buy it.
“It’s my fault,” Sabastian confesses as he hangs limply from Egan’s grip. His eyes never meet mine. His betrayal hurts, while Circe’s just pisses me off. I can’t muster an ounce of sympathy for the wolf my father called a friend and ally. “I set up a meeting with him to meet Sade.”
“I didn’t tell him I was told to trap the gargoyle. His motives were pure,” Sade inserts, defending her mate. Her affection for him is painted on her face.
Sabastian won’t let her take all the blame, however, adding, “I didn’t stop her.” It’s sickening to see what someone turned their bond into. I blame Circe, but it doesn’t absolve the mates.
“Tell me what happened with Reaper, and I’ll let you die at the same time instead of making you watch each other suffer.” It’s the only kindness I have within me to offer them.
I’m still deciding how I want to kill the witch. I don’t want her to have an easy death. It’s rather surprising she hasn’t done more to save her own life besides the weak suggestion to join forces. I don’t trust it.
“We were convinced he knew what we did.” Sabastian’s eyes are locked on Sade’s. He’s taking the blame again. They were probably persuaded by Circe, but I really don’t need to know why any longer. It was always about power. Now I just need to make sure everyone involved is dead. They are useless to me now.
“Sabastian!” Sade shouts, but it’s half muffled as she covers her mouth with her hands. Her knees buckle into a crouch, but she manages to stay upright as Egan rips the front of the wolf’s throat out. When he pulls his hand away, it’s coated in blood and gore. There’s no way he could breathe, which means he’s as good as dead.
With her mate dying at my mate’s feet, Sade turns her fury to me. “You lied!” she screams, and her hair lifts on an unseen breeze.
