Page 4 of Reluctant Rebel

“Don’t worry, I got this,” Sabre promised as if Jinx’s emotional crisis was no big deal. She placed her boot on Asmodeus’s neck, pressing down hard enough to make him gag. “Give Luca my regards,” she said before ramming the blade into his eye.

The shriek from the lust demon quickly morphed into a gurgle as his eye popped, and the sharp blade continued its journey into his brain. Sabre twisted the dagger once, causing his body to jerk before she wrenched it free. Her mouth curled in disgust as she took in the blood dripping from the tip, and she bent to wipe it on her victim’s shirt.

Jinx watched it all in a detached way. She was jubilant. She was afraid. She was excited. She was appalled. She was all those things and more. And she really had no idea what the fuck she was supposed to do now. “What now?” she queried without thought.

Sabre gestured to the exit. “Now you’re coming with me.”

The words had Jinx’s focus sharpening once more. “With you? Why?”

Sabre stepped forward and reached out a hand. It had just brutally killed, but it was gentle as it cupped Jinx’s cheek. Jinx couldn’t help herself; she rubbed her face against the palm, discovering callouses and warmth. She and her tiger had the absurd urge to purr.

“To live,” Sabre finally replied. “You’re coming with me so you can live.”

Jinx pulled back with a frown, not understanding. “I’m living now.”

Sabre glanced around, a look of revulsion on her face. “You’re really not. But youcan. I promise. You can live a life of your choosing.”

Hope sprang like a fragile, green shoot trying to push past soil caked in blood and pain. But before it could emerge from the darkness, Jinx stomped on it. Hope was useless. Hope was cruel.

She stepped back, moving away from the comfort of the deadly woman in front of her. “I don’t believe you.”

Instead of being pissed, Sabre looked impressed. She grinned crookedly. “I don’t blame you, kid. Not one bit. But what do you have to lose? Come on, take a chance," she cajoled.

“On you?” Jinx fired back.

Sabre shook her head. “Not on me. Onyourself.”

It sounded like a shitty idea, taking a chance on herself, but the allure of freedom was too strong. That was why, two minutes later, when the assassin walked out of the brothel after setting it on fire, Jinx followed.

And she didn’t look back.

2

SIXTEEN MONTHS AGO

Mikhail's green eyes took in the rebel encampment, the flickering firelight casting eerie shadows across his face. He pulled the cloak tighter around his shoulders, concealing his face and warding off the chill. He reminded himself not to worry about his face revealing his true identity. The fae glamour completely obscured his features.

He clenched his fists, sharp claws digging into his palms. The pain grounded him, a tether to the physical world when his mind threatened to spiral into the abyss of guilt and regret. How many innocents were suffering because of his deception? How many loyal subjects mourned their fallen king, unaware that he walked among them, hidden behind a veil of magic and lies? And what was worse, his own brothers believed him dead.

The thought of Brax’s and Z’s grief twisted like a knife in his gut. But the attacks on their royal family had grown too frequent, too calculated, and Mikhail knew the only options left to him to ferret out the killer were drastic.If ordering my guardian angel to kill me counts as drastic,Mikhail thought sardonically.

He poked at the fire with a stick, missing the hell out of his best friend. It didn’t matter that she was a secret from his brothers and the rest of the world, she wasn’t a secret tohim.And giving up his crown meant giving up Sabre as well. He only hoped it wouldn’t be for long.

“My Lord,” whispered a voice from the shadows.

Mikhail let out a weary sigh, his breath visible in the chilly night air as he turned to see Shiloh. The royal guard had been a member of the Demon Horde under his brother’s leadership for years. Unfortunately, her death and subsequent resurrection had been needed to pull off his plan. It was one hell of an IOU.

Shiloh emerged from the darkness. The dhampir’s icy blue eyes flickered with concern as she approached. “Are you okay?” she asked, her voice laced with worry.

He shook his head, answering honestly, “No, I'm not.”

Shiloh nodded understandingly. “It's been a difficult week since your, uh,reappointment.”

Mikhail snorted. “That’s one way to describe it. And it doesn’t feel like a week. It feels like a lifetime.”

Shiloh squeezed Mikhail's shoulder in support before stepping back. “My Lord …” she began again.

Mikhail held up a hand. “You have to stop calling me that. The name is Hound now.”

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