Page 124 of The Devil's Trials

“Xander Kane,” he says, his deep tone filled with malice. His shoulder length dark brown hair is tied back, and he’s dressed in all black, appearing in his late forties despite being hundreds of years old.

“You would do well to get out of my way, Marrick.”

He chuckles. “Is that so?” Instead of moving away, he begins to circle us slowly, as if he’s taunting his prey.

Harper’s pulse jackhammers, and she grips her dagger tighter. “I can take him,” she says under her breath.

“Not happening,” I hiss back. I don’t care that I asked her to join my council and be my hunter, she isn’t facing this bastard.

“Unfortunately, that isn’t your choice.” Marrick disappears from view for a split second, then slams into us with immense speed and power, knocking Harper away from me. Her dagger clatters to the ground, and she curses sharply.

I recover almost instantly, charging forward and colliding with an invisible wall as Marrick grabs Harper and hauls her upright by the throat.

Confusion and rage go to war in my chest as I slam my fists against nothing, trapped to watch Harper struggle against Marrick.

“It’s quite simple, son. Give up the throne now, and I’ll let her live.”

My heart pounds in my chest, and I snarl, “Don’t call me son. You won’t live long enough to step foot anywhere near the throne.”

“Is that your final answer?”

Harper’s face pales and fear rolls off her in waves.

“Kill her, and you lose all your leverage.” I’m resorting to calling his bluff. I don’t like it, but Marrick is a coward. As Francesca said, he doesn’t do his own dirty work. He’s not going to kill her.

“Xander,” Harper breathes, shaking her head, then mouthsplease.

“Now that’s not quite true, is it?” Marrick taunts. “The hunters’ daughter will die next should you continue to test me.”

“You and what army?” I shoot back, trying to buy time. “Haven’t found any humans to force into subjugation?”

He bares his teeth in a vicious growl, and Harper whimpers, squeezing her eyes shut.

She tries to break free, slamming her elbows back and kicking him wherever she can, but it does little more than irritate the demon.

“Perhaps I’ll use this one.” He smooths his free hand over Harper’s hair, and she shudders, pressing her lips together as her chin quivers.

“Oh?” I cock my head, stepping to the side to test the invisible barrier. Magic has always been in play in the underworld, and it works in ways not even the oldest demons fully comprehend. “And how do you plan ondoing that?” If I can use this opportunity to gain insight into Marrick’s insane plan, I’m not going to pass it up.

Amusement passes over his features. “You know, I don’t think Ms. Gilbert here is the ideal candidate.” His grip on her throat tightens before he releases her for a moment too brief for her to get away.

She makes it two paces as he snatches her dagger off the ground, then grabs her again.

“I’m done playing games.” His lips brush her ear, making her grimace as he says, “Do you have any last words for your brother?”

Tears swim in her eyes as they meet mine. “You are amonster. You will never be anything more than that.” Marrick tightens his grip, and she cries out in pain. Gritting her teeth, tears spill down her cheeks, and her words slice into me as fatally as an obsidian blade.

A growl tears from my chest and I fight the invisible barrier keeping me from her. All the strength I came into and it does nothing when I need it the most. “Let her go,” I snarl at Marrick.

Marrick laughs deeply, shooting me a cold smirk. “As you wish, boy.” In the space of a second, he takes Harper’s dagger and slashes her throat. Blood pours down the front of her shirt, and he drops her onto the ground with a carelessthud.

My lungs burn as I yell, pounding my fists into the wall until it disappears, then catch my balance and stumble forward. Tightness expands in my chest, making it hard to breathe, and I collapse on the ground, rolling Harper over and clamping my hand over the wound across her throat. Her blood stains my fingers crimson as she gasps for breaths she can’t take, blinking at me with equal parts terror and anger in her eyes. “This is…your fault.”

I shake my head, pressing harder, but Harper’s blood just spills through my fingers as the color leeches from her face and her eyes go vacant.

Pain ignites in my chest when the sound of my sister’s heartbeat fades away. I lean over her, closing her eyes gently and exhaling an uneven breath. “You shouldn’t have come to this place.” I brush her hair away from her face. “Why did you come?” It’s a useless question. It won’t bring her back, but what else can I do?

My gaze lifts slowly until it connects with Marrick’s. “You’re dead,” I vow in a voice dripping with venom.

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