Page 109 of All Your Bloody Lies

“He can’t shift.” He vibrates, the loss of blood is quick as she nicked the artery. “Brown hair, blue eyes, tall. Nothing exceptional about him!” If Lars can’t shift, that means he is a hybrid, like my little demon.

Xeraphine places her thumb against the open cut and applies pressure. “Is Lars behind all of this?”

He closes his eyes and nods. Her shoulders jump. “All your bloody lies! Filthy fucking liars! Who is behind this?!”

“Lars!”

I’m surprised she has as much strength as she does because when she swings a punch across his face, I see at least three teeth go flying from his mouth. The release on his neck allows the blood to keep flowing, he will be unconscious and dead soon.

“You deserve to suffer,” she seethes, “this is mercy, and I will regret not being able to make you hurt more for eternity.” One of herhands press against the space between his neck and chest, and digs her nails into his throat.

His shriek is silenced nearly immediately as she applies pressure to the bottom of his jaw and begins pulling him apart. “You will find no sanctuary with the Gods for your sins, and Belial will spit on your request for salvation. Hang in the abyss of the unknown until you, too, are nothing.” With a loud tear of flesh, she splits open his neck, and as his spine cracks upward, his heart stops.

I release the breath I don’t need, but one that feels as if it were stuck in my chest. She sits there, her shoulders moving with the rhythm of her breathing, which is calm. I don’t say anything or approach her. Watching her completely tear his neck apart is fucking beautiful, and I want to give her the moment to soak it in.

“Kai?” Her head turns toward me, her eyes bloodshot, and she extends her hand out to me. “Can you carry me? I may pass out when I stand.”

I take the two steps needed to get to her and wrap an arm around her waist, cradling her into my arms. She hooks one of hers around my neck and leans into my chest.

“Fucking Vayl above, little demon,” I whisper. Her skin feels freezing cold, yet underneath, I sense a simmering heat. “Let’s get you home, and get you fed.” My grip on her tightens, and she slowly lifts her head to meet my gaze.

“You needed no saving, Xera,” I reassure her, because I can tell being cradled like this and seeing me here, she has mixed feelings.

She shakes her head, “No, I didn’t need saving.” The moment I am about to apologize, she continues. “But I did need you. Thank you.”

My lips part, but I’m hesitant to say what I want. I don’t want to be reluctant when it comes to her.

Who am I to be hesitant when it comes to you?

“Anything for you.”

I don’t wait for a response, and I’m in motion. I know the crisp air as we run doesn’t make her feel better, but I think she’s passed out anyway. I don’t feel her shift or complain of the cold.

I head back west where I know my car is parked. Either Sydni is asleep, or she’s so consumed on her phone that she doesn’t see us approach.

When I open the driver’s door and peek over, I confirm she fell asleep.

“Sydni,” I whisper, and she jumps up, tossing her head back and forth as if trying to orient herself. I’ve positioned myself so she can’t see Xeraphine; my shoulder rests against the car, facing inward. “I have her, but I need you to take a deep breath.”

“Phiny?!” She sucks a healthy bit of air through her teeth. “Where?!”

“Sydni, she’s just passed out, okay? But, she’s hurt so I need you to drive. I’ll hold her until we get home.” I can see the tears beginning to pillow in her eyes. “Crawl over to the driver seat, and just take it slow.”

I don’t wait for her to agree or not and stand to move around to the other side. Opening the passenger door, I enter with my back to her and put Xeraphine into my lap, grabbing the jacket Sydni had been using like a blanket. After covering what I can, I turn into the car and close the door. I pull her closer and tuck her head under my chin.

When I peer over at Sydni, she’s staring at us.

“Remember, she’s sleeping,” I am really not sure if I’m reminding her or myself.

“Thank you…” she murmurs. “Thank you so much…”

I shake my head, “Don’t thank me. I didn’t do anything, she fought. I just carried her here.” There is more to that story, but that is what matters. We got her and are bringing her home.

Sydni extends her hand and rests it against Xeraphine’s leg. I shift under the jacket to locate her hand and gently bring it out, offering it to Sydni to take into hers. I wouldn’t insist on her driving with both hands, even though it would probably be safer. If she took us off the windy roads, well, that would be ironic after everything that just happened.

As we pull out of the mountain rangers station, I press a kiss to the top of my little demon’s head. “I’ve got you,” I whisper, and hold her tight.

I can only imagine what she went through in those five days, and for once, I’m not sure I’ll push for her to tell me. I’ve always been the demanding-for-answers type, but I’m afraid it may push me over the edge I’m already hanging over.

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