Page 56 of My Salvation

The blackness vibrated, then popped, dissipating completely.

Meryn’s face turned thoughtful. “But, if we’re talking about amongst the warriors, Colton has the best ass I’ve seen,” she said, sounding more like herself.

“What the fuck just happened?” Aiden demanded, standing his toe against the salt line.

Cas eyed the smaller woman, who was now yawning. “Meryn, have you been associating with demons?”

Meryn’s eyes widened. “Shit.”

Ryuu stared down at her. “I knew it! It was when you were asleep, wasn’t it? When neither Felix nor I could sense you.”

Meryn turned to look up at her squire. “He isn’t so bad.”

“Gods above, bring light where darkness grows. Give strength where weakness threatens to fail,” Brennus recited, hands clasped and eyes closed.

Around them, others joined in.

“Bring hope where despair thrives and protect your children from all harm,” the room whispered, completing the prayer.

The queen stood, back ramrod straight. “In my palace, in my own home, demons dare approach that baby.”

Cas marveled as the despair and grief faded to the background, still present but for the moment, overshadowed by a color she had never seen in a living person. Silver.

“Righteous anger and the desire to protect,” she whispered.

“Mother?” Darian asked, going to her side.

“I may be fading, but my job as queen will not be done until I see that demon purged.” She turned to Aiden, who was still waiting to get to his mate. “We may need to call Gavriel here. He has the most experience in dealing with that vermin.”

Outside they could all see the courtyard now streamed daylight, brighter than it had been when they walked in. The queen’s determination was seen in the rays of the sun.

Cas, using her toe, broke the salt line. Instantly, Aiden scooped Meryn up. “Gods above, please protect my mate,” he pleaded.

Meryn scrunched up her nose. “I’m telling you, he wasn’t that bad. He’s kinda nice, actually.”

Abraxas, the queen, and Ryuu turned to stare.

Aiden shook his head and firmly ensconced her in his arms so that only her little face was visible.

Kendrick turned to Thane. “The old magic?”

Thane nodded. “We have some material, Demonology volumes one and four, but we don’t have two and three.”

Kendrick waved his hand. “I have copies.”

“Hello? Is no one listening? I don’t think the demon guy is all bad,” Meryn protested.

Cas turned to Meryn. “You’re aura turned pitch black just now.”

Meryn shrugged. “That may have been him knocking.”

“Knocking?”

She nodded. “Yeah, evidently, when I asked to talk to whoever was in charge in Noctem Falls, I opened the door for communication with him.” She looked at Ryuu. “I did tell him not to stop my heart anymore.”

Ryuu stared down at his charge, disbelief written all over his face.

Meryn ignored his incredulous expression. Turning to her aunt. “No fading.”

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