Page 77 of Beneath Her Skin

Her fingers wrap around the hilt of the blade, pulling it free with a sickening wet noise. I hold my breath, waiting for a miracle to happen.

“You sure you don’t want to know what will be required of both of you for doing this?” She inquires, one eyebrow raised.

“Fill me in later,” I murmur.

Her laughter, loud and almost childlike fills the silent night around us. “I like you, you got spunk, girl. Master will be most pleased with you.”

Before I can question that odd statement, inky black tendrils swirl around her hand that’s placed over Willow’s stab wound, seeping into her flesh, and miraculously sealing it shut.

Sable leans back with a satisfied grin. “She’ll be good as new. But the price for saving a life is going to cost big time.” Her hand darts out toward me and latches around my arm. “And since I’ve included your life in this little bargain of ours, the price for Willow’s life requires two lives, paid in blood. They must die tonight, or your souls will be sent to Hell for all eternity,” she says with an eerily sweet smile.

“Who do we have to kill?” I reply with more confidence than I feel.

“Anyone, but if I were you I’d start with the fuckers that got this one stabbed.” She gestures toward Willow. “The vile ones are the most fun to play with in Hell. Two lives for both of yours.”

She lets go of my arm, standing up. “Wait! What’s going to happen after we kill them?”

She pops her hip and tsks. “Too late to ask that question. Your fates are sealed.” She turns back toward the bonfire, the flames opening in the center to reveal a dark pathway. She turns her head before entering the gateway. “We’ll be meeting again very soon.”

She disappears inside, the fire consuming her whole.

I hear a loud gasp, as Willow abruptly sits up and wraps her arms around my neck.

Holy fuck. It worked. She really saved her.

I bury my face into her neck and hold her tight.

6

KISS OF DEATH

WILLOW

It all happened so fast. It was like a crazy dream. One minute, I saw the knife sailing toward Riley, and I didn’t even think before moving to push her out of the way. The next moment, I found myself on the ground, struggling for air. Swatches of red and black danced in my peripheral vision, with neon green being the only shade I wanted to focus on. The overwhelming sweet aroma in the air was tainted with sulfur, and the world came to a standstill.

I knew I was going to die. Truthfully, it was a death I would have gladly accepted if it meant saving her from a life behind bars… or worse. Coming dangerously close to entering death’s embrace was minuscule in comparison to seeing the tears in Riley’s caramel eyes. Watching her weep for me hurt more than the knife nestled into my sternum.

I’d rather actually dine with death than see the fear and sorrow sketched into her beautiful, fierce features ever again.

The next thing I know, the pain is gone, and I can breathe again. I sat up in shock, and immediately rushed to comfort my hurting girl. I don’t know how I’m still alive, but I’ll be forevergrateful to whomever or whatever gifted me a second chance at life—another shot at loving Riley the way she deserves.

Riley’s holding me brutally tight, placing tender kisses along my neck while she sniffles. I’m running my fingers through her hair, trying to calm her aching heart.

“I’m so sorry,” she mewls against my flesh.

I pull back enough to capture her eyes with mine, shaking my head and wiping her tears with my thumbs.

“Ummm, is no one going to ask what the fuck just happened?” Heidi blurts out.

We turn to face her, an incredulous look plastered on her bruised and swollen face.

That is a great question that I am dying to know the answer to, but something in my gut tells me that no one here can know the truth. I glance back at Riley. She leans in to whisper in my ear. “I’ll explain later. We need to get out of here.”

With a quick nod, we both stand. I brush my fingers over the spot where the knife sliced into me, finding brand-new healed skin. A shiver rakes down my spine, hellfire and darkness flashing across my mind. I also notice that my necklace is missing. What has Riley done?

“Don’t know what you’re talking about,” Riley replies, shrugging her off.

“One minute this girl is about to be hauled out of here in a body bag, and the next she’s just perfectly fine and walking? You twofreaksbetter explain yourselves now.” Heidi points a trembling finger toward us, fear and disgust laced in her tone.

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