She possesses two invaluable treasures: Octavia’s book—the ancient tome brimming with potent spells—and my relic, a ruby necklace. This enchanted necklace is explicitly crafted for me from the gods themselves, infused with powerful magic that no ordinary human can withstand. It has been missing for centuries, along with the grimoire, cursed so we could never sense it or find it until someone came along and found it first. Only one who shares a sacredconnection—a predestined fate, my true mate—could wear it without facing dire consequences. Together, these artifacts are our lifeline, a beacon of hope in a world shrouded in darkness.
Though I do believe Dani is our destined mate, there is no way the curse can ever be broken.
I roll my shoulders back and clear my thoughts.
I know where Spencer lives. I know where everyone lives in this town. Who they fuck, what they eat, what they dream of. I’m going to kill him for touching what’s mine. Rip out his fucking tongue for even talking to her.
I should tear off his small hands too…
I sit quietly in his dimly lit living room. Outside, the sound of tires crunching over gravel signals his approach. I can almost picture him behind the wheel, laughter echoing from the night out as he drunkenly steers his way home.
Just a few minutes later, the engine roars to a stop, the headlights momentarily splashing light into the darkness before plunging back into shadow.
I sweep my hand across my face, fingertips brushing against the polished metal of my mask, ensuring it sits snugly in place. Not that it holds any real significance if Spencer catches a glimpse of my features. After all, he won’t be able to witness the dawn of another day.
He fumbles with his keys in the front door. I sit on his couch, hands behind my head, contemplating a quick death or a slow one.
He walks in, mumbling to himself, and closes his door while stumbling to kick off his shoes.
I wait a moment.
“Didn’t your mother ever teach you that ‘no’ means ‘no’?” My voice startles him as he screams like a little bitch and turns on the living room light. “Who the hell ares you?!How’d you gets in here?! Wha-whatdooyouwant” Gods almighty was he shit-faced.
The soft glow of the light flickers on, but I swiftly wave my hand to extinguish it, plunging the room back into darkness. A finality looms over him like the weight of an impending storm.
Rising from the worn leather couch, I feel the familiar pull of my shadows, loyal companions that swirl around me like a living cloak.
In that dim light, Spencer’s face drains of color as he spots Dax and Killian stepping out from the depths of the shadows, their masks casting eerie shapes across the walls.
The sheer terror in his eyes turns to panic, and I smirk under my mask as I watch him freeze, a small stream of warmth trickling down his leg in response to the unexpected haunting presence.
“Who’s this sorry bastard, Adonis?” Dax asks while throwing his arm around my shoulder.
“Wh-what doyou want? Wh-wh-what are you!? Gets out of my- my house! Be-begone!” Spencer stutters drunkenly.
“Begone? Is this motherfucker serious?” Killian’s laugh echoes off the walls. “It looks like you don’t need our help, Adonis. Do you want us to get rid of his body?”
“Yes. Once I am done with him, I will need you both to plant evidence in his truck and then drive it off the cliff at the edge of town,” I reply sharply.
“I-I, what do youswant? I’ll do anything! Just ple-please don’t hurt me,” Spencer falls to his knees.
“I want you to shut the fuck up!” I demand while ripping out his entire tongue without touching his foul mouth.
He screams in agony. Blood gushes from his mouth, covering his throat. He gurgles and chokes as he cries out in pain.
Pathetic.
“Make him stop, Killian.”
Killian responds to my command and waves his hand over Spencer’s head, quieting him for good.
“You touched a woman without her consent. In fact, you touchedMYwoman!” I scream at him, feeling the intensity of my eyes blazing into his very soul. If I had my wings and all my power, I could make this piece of shit my slave.
“Our woman,” Dax corrects me. I nod in his direction.
“I’m going to kill you and hand your soul over to the old gods and let them decide your fate. They hold no mercy as the new gods do, I fear. But Spencer, I don’t believe it’s the afterlife that awaits you.” Tears brim in the corners of his eyes, glistening like dew on a blade of grass. I take twisted pleasure in his dread.
“Alright, let’s get this over with, Adonis. Killian and I were in the middle of something,” Dax says in his smooth voice while rubbing Killian’s masked cheek.
