Page 98 of Cursed
Unable to fight the horrible agony, I complied, if only to relieve the pressure.
“Now, now, Malachi,” Lucian crooned, sauntering forward. “There’s no need for violence.” He stopped in front of me, his face unreadable. “Let’s see what we have here.”
I stiffened, unsure what to expect. Maybe a blow to the face, a kick to my leg, another freeze with demonic power—
Something warm and soothing caressed my scalp, erasing Malachi’s punishing touch. A whimper of relief flew out of me. Of all the things I’d expected, gentleness was not one.
But he’s the devil, I can’t trust him. It might be a trick.
“There, that’s much better, is it not, Phoebe dear?” He stretched out a wing and curled it toward me, the feathered tip brushing my back and urging me closer. “Bullying the poor girl helps no one’s cause, does it, Malachi?”
“Of course not, my Lord.” With a frown, he nodded once, his eyebrows lowering. “But...” He licked his lips, darting his glance from me to Lucian. “You did promise I’d get her first if Cain succeeded.”
“Tsk.” Lucian waved a hand in the air. “It’s so serious and dreary in here.”
A wall of the castle faded to translucence, giving a spectacular view of the distant volcano. Plumes of smoke shot out, and a fountain of lava spewed into the air. As it cooled, it transformed into chunky rocks. As they changed trajectory and rained down on the side of the mountain, a slight vibration shook the floor.
The casual way he and Malachi spoke about hurting me, as if they were observing the weather, sickened and angered me. “I’ll fight you until my last breath.” Maybe I didn’t have the protection of my necklace any longer and their evil power would win, but it didn’t mean I had to lie down and take it. I raised my fists, fighting back the lingering dread. It didn’t seem to weigh me down as much as it had when I’d first arrived.
Probably because I’m furious, heartbroken, and desperate to survive.
“Such fire. This is why humans have intrigued and disgusted me all these years.” Lucian chuckled then leaned close and inhaled. “Your smell...” His smile disappeared, and his eyes went distant, a vertical line marring the smooth skin of his brow.
Rage built inside my bones, leeching outward into my blood. I wanted to tear those black eyes from his face. My arms shook with the fury, and from the bottom of my stomach, something white-hot awakened—a powerful, righteous anger I’d never felt before. It pulsed and writhed throughout my muscles, demanding release.
“Now, I understand.” His gaze snapped to mine. “You smell likehim. You’re Nephilim, too.”
The burning rage filled me, igniting my marrow and rushing through my blood, begging me to free it, and I could no longer hold it inside. Releasing a primal scream of fury, of retribution, and of hope into the sky, my mouth opened and adeafening yell drowned everything in my vicinity.
Hell trembled, and the demons standing before me dropped to their knees, faces slackened with fear and surprise.
Chapter 33
Cain
Iwanted to black outthe sun, to grab each star and squeeze until their brightness shone no more, just as the light in Phoebe’s eyes had dimmed.
