Page 102 of Quintus

Freed from the zombie, the Alpha rolled to the ground, whining in pain, a section of his flesh and fur missing from his back. Mao gave a loud shriek, spinning around toward Quintus, her wild red eyes flaring in anger.

“I’m going to kill you all. It’s just a matter of time.” She broke from his grip, stumbled backward and rocked on her heels, finally finding her footing.

Quintus’ heart pounded, taking in the sight of the woman he’d once loved, knowing he was about to kill her. But he knew, no matter how much this rancid creature looked like her, she wasn’t Mao.

“I’ve killed Viktor.” Her rotted brown teeth broke through her heinous smile. “Or have I?”

The mention of his brother hit him like a punch to the gut. Quintus sucked a deep breath, concentrating on his task. His gaze darted to Gabriella who continued to step toward Lilitu. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Hunter shift to human and back to wolf again. With a fiery glare, he set his focus back on Mao.

His gaze dropped from her eyes to her bloodied stump, the broken white bone jutting from the wound. The hand. Where the hell is it? She’d flash back to Hell, taking it with her if he didn’t move quickly.

“What are you doing, darling? Once the witch kills the cunt you mated with, you’ll be mine again.” Her long tongue curled out of her mouth, dripping with saliva.

“Who sent you?” Quintus eyed the torn hand lying on the ground.

“Hmm…you never can tell.” She laughed, tilting her head. She ran her hand over her gown, its purple shredded velvet exposing her thighs. The skin beneath was riddled with seeping red boils. “They say the Goddess does all the work. It’s a lie. It’s demons who create, create, create.”

“Who made you?” he asked, his feet edging toward the right.

“Prophets. Witches who need help. They all have a price for their work. Ramiel.” Her eyes rolled upward in her head, revealing only the whites.

“Ramiel?” He’d been the vampire who’d paid for Gabriella’s blood, had threatened to beat her. “He’s no demon.”

“Isn’t he? Had you ever heard of him? Stupid, stupid vampires. The demonic magick is so strong we can easily fool you all.”

“Why create you?”

“Your mating,” Mao growled, her smile falling into a scowl. “It had to be stopped. Your bitch may live but you’re coming with me to Hell. Someone must pay for Lilitu’s debt… she’s been a greedy, greedy witch. She owes. Viktor was payment but the demon wants more. I’m but his humble servant.”

The earth shook beneath his feet. He caught sight of Gabriella. A blinding light streamed out of her fingers. Mao’s gaze went to the severed hand and back to Quintus. He lunged for the rotting flesh, snatching it off the ground. As Mao rushed to retrieve it, he bared his fangs, and grabbed her by the back of her long hair. She screeched, writhing in an attempt to steal it back from him, and he sunk his teeth into her shoulder, tearing open her rotting flesh. As she struggled, he spat out the decomposing skin and shoved the hand into her mouth.

“This is for my brother, you evil bitch.” Quintus swiftly flipped her onto the ground and with a knee to her chest, continued to stuff the severed fingers and palm down her throat. Her eyes bulged as he cupped his hand over her lips. Convulsing underneath his weight, her torso collapsed upon itself. The pus-filled cavity burst open and her flesh melted.

“She’s a devil,” he heard Hunter yell. As Quintus turned to Gabriella, he caught sight of his mate. Thick green horns curled out of her head into points. Fire spat from her mouth as she spoke.

“What the fuck did that fae do to her?” Hunter asked.

“Hellfire,” Quintus responded. No matter how she appeared, there was no way she’d become a demon. He sensed her wolf, and exhaled loudly. “Fae magick. We’re seeing an illusion.”

“No, Quint. She’s a fucking devil. Something isn’t right.”

“Back off Alpha.” Quintus struggled to find his balance as the earth beneath his feet violently shook. The ground split open, forming a deep crevasse.

Gabriella’s body illuminated with the energy of the first witch as she stalked toward Lilitu. Her eyes held a smile, watching as terror emanated from Lilitu’s face. All the dark emotions she’d inflicted on Gabriella churned inside her chest propelling her omnipotent power.

Drawing on the ancient energy, she flashed five feet toward Lilitu. Gabriella would bring destruction. There had been a time, one more innocent, when she’d have granted mercy but not tonight. Only death existed, and she’d be the one to send Lilitu to Hell.

As Gabriella advanced, Lilitu held up her athame but fear shone in her eyes. A bolt of lightning struck within inches of Gabriella but she merely absorbed its energy and stalked toward the witch.

“Tonight is the end,” she declared, scanning the cemetery for the coven witches who hid in the shadows. Light speared from her hands, the pure energy searing the ground, leaving a trail of ash as she walked. “The first witch, who lives inside me demands your sacrifice. She’s sending you home to Hell. Tonight,” Gabriella stepped within two feet of Lilitu, “you die.”

Lightning blasted all around them, driving black divots into the ground. Lilitu lunged at Gabriella, stabbing the knife into her abdomen. Gabriella laughed and wrapped her fingers around its hilt. The power of the first witch was far too great for earth magick. Painlessly, she withdrew the blade and tossed it aside. Allowing the light to cease, she clapped her hands together and outstretched her arms toward Lilitu.

“And now.” With every cell of her being, she focused on the first witch allowing her to seize her body. The beam of light streamed from her fingertips. Like a laser, it sliced clear through Lilitu. The priestess screeched wildly as blood gushed from her abdomen, her eyes bulging as the cavity grew wider and wider. “Everything you’ve done to me. To my mother. To your victims. It ends. You end.” Gabriella closed her hands into fists and stretched open her fingers, tugging at the threads of energy, ripping Lilitu apart until her flesh exploded.

The rush of her power mushroomed into a storm of pure energy. Every ounce of magick flowed through her, destroying the demonic witch. Gabriella sucked a breath as the first witch exited her body and absorbed into the universe. She collapsed, curling into a fetal position.

Conscious but unable to move, she blinked away tears, her chest full with emotion. Gabriella knew the second she hit the ground her entire life had changed. Not only had she obliterated the entire coven, she’d destroyed the magick that had created the witches.