Page 74 of A Fury Of Shadows

“That fool Vedran will be at his most vulnerable when he initiates theInheritance Ceremonyand attempts to absorb Davor’s soul. I have to make sure the conditions are perfect, so I can overpower him. That’s why he cannot find theBook of Shadowsyet. Not until my plans are ready.” He paused. “I’m pretty certain he intends to assimilate Nikolai’s white magic core so as to make himself the god he wishes to be.”

A nasty chuckle left the demon. “It seems he’s forgotten the hard lesson he learned when he tried to absorb Gabriela Stanisic’s core. But…he might actually succeed this time around.” His tone turned bitter. “He’s been consuming that boy’s Hellfire Magic.”

Ran Soyun flinched.

Nikolai’s ears buzzed, his heartbeat so loud he was shocked Barquiel could not hear it.

“I saw it myself, today,” Barquiel said sourly. “Vedran’s powers are even stronger now that he has acquired some of the magic Azazel himself feared.” He met Ran Soyun’s shocked gaze. “He intends to force theMarriage of Magicon Mae Jin and bind her to his heir so he can control her powers. I cannot let that happen. I need her core and Davor’s soul.” His expression softened slightly. “I have to go. I will be back soon, my love.”

He turned and headed for the exit.

Nikolai’s belly twisted as the demon closed in on his position.Shit!

“Wait.” Ran Soyun’s voice froze Barquiel’s steps. “There’s something I wish to ask you.”

The demon twisted around, surprise widening his crimson eyes.

“This is the first time you have stopped me from leaving,” Barquiel said quietly. He hesitated before retracing his steps. “Tell me what you want to know, my love.”

Though it was infinitesimal, Nikolai caught the fleeting look Ran Soyun shot his way. White magic flared in her eyes and throbbed through his core.

Nikolai nodded shakily at her silent message. He rose, ran blindly through the tunnels until he reached the mouth of the cave, and bolted past the fire pits dotting the chasm. His breaths came in hard pants as he approached the portal, Alastair gliding fluidly above his head.

Magic warmed his belly. “Moon Storm!”

The spell exploded around him and lifted him up. His heart thundered against his ribs as he leapt inside Barquiel’s crimson rift. The return was swifter and he emerged into the demon’s suite within seconds.

Nikolai staggered to a halt in the middle of the room, Alastair circling above his head before landing on his shoulder. He turned and stared dazedly at the fluttering portal. The enormity of what he had just witnessed made him shudder.

Everything Vedran and the demon who had allied himself with the first Sorcerer King had ever done now made horrifying sense.

Alastair squawked a warning. An echo of Ran Soyun’s white magic pulsed through their cores.

Barquiel must be on his way back!

He turned, stumbled out of the demon’s suite, and didn’t stop until he reached his chambers. A single thought occupied his mind as he slammed the door shut behind him and leaned shakily against the cold, hard wood.

I have to find a way to reach Mae!

CHAPTER28

Mae staredat the ceiling of the bedroom she was sharing with Violet and Serena.

They were in a safe house owned by Gideon Morgan, in a village north of Budapest. Sunlight streamed through the windows at the far end of the room. Birds chirped outside.

Their cheerful brightness was in sharp contrast to her mood.

It had taken her a long time to fall asleep last night, as it no doubt had everyone else. The ride back into the city had taken place in fraught silence, everybody lost in their own thoughts after what they had witnessed in the forgotten palace in the middle of the forest.

Mae couldn’t stop reliving the awful scenes of the prison where Nikolai had spent his childhood. The anger that had simmered through her yesterday resurfaced.

It lost its wind somewhat in the face of a series of disjointed snores.

She sighed and sat up.

Trixie lay on her back atop Brimstone at the bottom of the bed. High-pitched whistles ruffled her lips and her left hindleg jerked spasmodically at something she chased in her dream. A bubble grew out of Brimstone’s left nostril and deflated with every breath he took, the sounds he made that of an idling Boeing engine. Hellreaver’s snores bore an uncanny resemblance to a chainsaw in a horror movie. He was sprawled on the sheets beside Mae, his blades askew.

The bathroom door opened. Serena came out, looking as fresh as a daisy.

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