I bolt upright in bed, panting as cold sweat drenches my skin. Faint streaks from the sunrise paint my bedroom walls. My head pounds, and my stomach lurches. The memories of my dream settle, a subtle reminder of everything I’ve just learned about the prophecy, and my role in it.
The realization that I’m destined to die is unbearable. It’s not fair. Azrael and I have only just begun. But the alternative—losing his life as well and destroying humanity—is even worse. I can’t be selfish. We won’t allow humanity to end. My life feels like a heavy price, yet in the grand scheme, it’s miniscule.
If humanity’s survival depends on me and my willing sacrifice, then it’s the only possible outcome… and one I vow to face with courage. My mother, Miriam, and Tavian… they’re all worth it. But to save Azrael alone is enough to sway my decision. The dream I had before is starting to make more sense.
If I’m right, this isn’t the first time the Fates have visited my dreams. They’ve been warning me for some time, and I’ve been blocking it out. Power surges somewhere deep inside me, angry from the invasion. I soothe it back to a simmer and continue unraveling my thoughts.
What about Azrael? What will happen to him if I die? He owns my soul. Will its end break him? The Fates’ words echo: if I fail, he, too, will perish. I can’t bear the thought of him ceasing to exist, even in a world I’ll no longer occupy. I sigh. The prophecy must be fulfilled.
Rage roars beneath my skin. My emotions spiral, cycling too fast to hold. This isn’t fair. We should’ve had eternity. But now time is running out. There’s no telling how much longer we have together. If my time is short, then I’ll make every second count.
An unfamiliar calm settles over me, warm and unnatural, drawing me back toward sleep. I try to fight it, but whatever it is—whoever it is—wins. I toss and turn fitfully before the dreamscape finds me again, and I surrender.
As it takes hold, I’m looking at Azrael. Terror grips me in its clutches. I’ve never seen this side of him before—wiping my blood from his lips. His predatory stare and the gleam of his razor-sharp teeth raise every hair on my body. My knees tremble as the rest of me goes limp. I should run far away from him and never come back. But I can’t stop staring at him in disbelief. I’m mesmerized by his handsome features and the chain binding us to one another. It floats, suspended in the air between us: the glittering black tether where my soul connects to him.
I search his eyes for the familiar adoration I know lives there. Emotions surge within me, untamed. I’m addicted to everything about him. His icy blue pools hold me in a trance freezing, thought silencing, fear. My heart takes over, and I throw myself into his arms.
Azrael wraps around me, making everything feel right for a moment. He pulls back his lips with a low, hungry moan that unravels me. I crumble. Every part of my soul aches to be embraced by him. I crave his touch. No matter how dangerous he is, no matter how terrifying the future might be, I can’t walk away. I belong to him, and it’s time I accept this cruel twist of fate.
He tilts my chin up to meet his mouth and kisses me like he’s savoring a final taste, like he knows this kiss could be our last.
We’re instantly sucked away, years into the future. The dreamscape fades out—then sharpens. We’re standing before a towering, shadow-drenched castle. Beneath my feet, bones crunch and crumble. In our arms, we cradle something small, wrapped in gold and white cloth. A child? A bundle of light? I lean in, trying to see, but the image blurs—like sand through my fingers. Is this real? A glimpse of the future I’ll never get to hold? Azrael is smiling when I look at him. He opens his mouth to speak, but the dreamscape fades before he can.
My mother’s face comes into view as my eyelids flutter open.
Chapter 26
Azrael
Sleep is stolen from me, snatched away by a summons from Lucifer. It scorches against my soul, demanding my immediate presence. I bristle with irritation but wake from my short slumber more than refreshed. Mercy’s soul still lingers on my teeth—I lick over each fang, savoring the exquisite taste.
Another demand burns through me, sharp and agonizing. I search for the bond I keep hidden and send a wordless reply of acknowledgement down it. The pain subsides to a dull ache—a reminder that my presence is expected right away. I snap my fingers, and fresh clothing wraps around me: a perfectly pressed black suit with ruby cufflinks. Before vanishing downstairs in a cyclone of black mist, I steal a quick glance in the mirror to ensure I’m adequately put together for a meeting with the High Lord.
Downstairs, the house is empty and quiet, save for the servants who cling to the shadows, scurrying around and completingtheir tasks. In the sitting room, I pour myself a glass of whiskey, unconcerned with the hour. If I’m going to outwit the devil himself, I need something to settle my nerves. It’s barely morning, and chances are Lucifer’s already been scheming. Now that I’ve found my mate—and bound her soul to mine—everything is sure to intensify. It’s no mating ceremony, but it’s a start. And it keeps Mercy safe from anything that might try hunting her down in order to harm me… or the realms.
I take a sip and begin pacing in front of the fireplace. Guilt consumes me as I brew in my self-loathing. I’ve handed Mercy a death sentence, trading one life of confinement for another. Damning her to serve me for eternity. I feel terrible about everything I’ve done. What the hell was I thinking?
But I don’t have time to ruminate. The fireplace groans, then stretches—elongating and expanding—until the heavy stench of magic fills the air. He’s arriving. Lucifer, the Morning Star, steps from the hearth and onto the black marble floor as if gliding. The things I’d do to take the seat of the Morning Star.Even sacrifice your one true love? A small voice whispers. It’s unsettling, but I shrug it off. My gaze shifts to the second figure emerging from the hearth.
A lesser demon follows Lucifer’s every move, its stench of rotting flesh turning the air foul. Even the ancient magic recoils, shrinking away in disgust.
Strange. The Ringmaster’s absence from this little family reunion feels... intentional. I’m sure he’ll appear before the end—he always does. Unless he’s intentionally preoccupied, which would be on par for Lucifer and his games.
“Good morning, my lord,” I say, allowing the hint of disdain to bleed into my tone. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this early morning summons?”
Lucifer’s lip pulls up in a snarling sneer, revealing his displeasure. He stares at me, stone-faced and unreadable, clearly assessing how far he plans to push me today.
“The enforcer,” he finally replies, motioning to the demon beside him, “has informed me your task is incomplete. You haven’t found or returned the hunter, and now he’s freed the Leyak. The two are wreaking havoc in the human realm.”
I shrink back from his confession. I haven’t had much spare time to continue the hunt, preoccupied with Mercy and the Fates. My duties to the High Lord have been completely ignored.
He continues to scold me, not waiting for a response. “The task remains incomplete, and now there’s unrest in the sector. Other monsters are attempting to escape, which doesn’t make things look good for me. Like I’m doing my job to maintain the balance, now does it, Azrael?”
I nod silently in agreement, unwilling to push my luck. Beside him, the enforcer lets out a harrowing roar, rattling the decorative pieces and glassware in the room.
“As you can imagine, our friend here is in quite a bit of pain—after allowing such an escape to happen. He’s one of my top enforcers, honestly, and I need him to be at full strength. Find the missing monsters, Azrael, or you’ll soon find yourselfsuffering a disappointing fate.” Lucifer growls, his words menacing, laced with the binding chains of hellfire he reserves for occasions exactly like this.
I clamp my mouth closed, refusing to scream out in agony as they twist around me, singing my skin as they sink below the surface, ensnaring me under their control.
