Page 102 of A Bond in Flames

We walked for a while without any sign of demons, but they’d be at the temple waiting. If they didn’t manage to stop us on the way, they’d be waiting for us there. The whole time we walked, I inwardly focused on building my power, on harnessing my magic. I slipped my finger through Hemy’s cage, checking on him, and he gave my finger a little nibble to tell me he was okay.

The distanthootof Nox’s owl came from somewhere above us.

Death stilled, tilting his head to the side as the sound of movement filled the forest around us. He cursed. “Demons.”

“We can fight.”

“There’s too many.” He held my gaze. “When I throw off the cloak, I want you to make yourself as small as possible and stay under it, understand?”

“No, we can—”

“They’ll want to take me to Nox. I’m going to let them. When it’s clear, go and get Marigold.”

“Mors, hang on—”

“We knew this might happen. I won’t risk you getting hurt.” The look in his eyes said it wasn’t up for debate. “I know you can fight,” he said, knowing I’d try to anyway, “but I’m counting on you to get to Mari, to get our daughter. Just do what I said, and the temple will let you in.”

I nodded. I hated it, but he was right. “You can trust me,” I said. “I won’t leave without her.”

“I know you won’t,” he said. “Just stay under the cloak and stick to the shadows.”

“But the cloak, it doesn’t know me.”

“It knows you.” He brushed the backs of his fingers down the side of my cheek. “It’s made of the night sky, love. It remembers you, missed you, and it wants to protect you.”

We’d talked about this happening. We had a plan. I knew what to do. “I’ll meet you at the beach.”

“I’ll see you there,” he said before he shoved off the cloak.

I dropped to the dark, overgrown forest floor, and the cloak settled over me like a dark shadow.

“Where is she?” one of the demons demanded.

Death roared like a wounded lion. “You killed her. You took her from me.”

Good plan. They’d think I was dead. I wasn’t sure how long they’d buy it, but it’d give me a head start.

The sound of a fist hitting flesh came next, of demons screaming and snarling. The sound of their fighting grew more distant as he led them away from me. Silence slowly surrounded me until all I could hear were my own shallow breaths, and still, I didn’t move, not yet.

Finally, when I was sure I was alone, I slowly, so slowly, pushed back the hood and looked around.

Standing, I turned, taking in my surroundings—

A male leaned against a tree.

I snatched up my knife and lifted my hand, my magic swirling.

He held up his hands. “Don’t shoot. I’m not one of them. Well, they think I am, but my loyalties lie elsewhere.”

He had humanoid features and the pointed ears of the fae. “Who are you loyal to?”

“Somnus,” he said, holding my gaze.

“I don’t believe you, and I don’t have time for you.” My magic grew higher.

“He was right—you are powerful.” He stepped away from the tree, his hands still up. “I’m not going to hurt you, Zinnia. I want to help you get Marigold back. That’s the plan, right? Death distracts the demons while you go for your daughter. I can help you.”

My alarm bells weren’t ringing, but I wasn’t going to just lower my hand and believe him. “Who are you to Somnus?”

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