Page 36 of My Demon Desire
"Two more drops, one for each of us."
My knees shake because I've no idea what to expect, he hands the blade to Thorne who makes another cut, this one along my palm, and turns my hand to catch the drop in the goblet.
Then Kaden takes the blade and when I meet his steady gaze, he gives me a cocky smile. He lifts my hand to his lips, inhaling deeply, then kisses each of my fingers before pricking one with the tip of the knife.
The drop slides into the chalice and Reis reaches out, his magic tingling along my hand, healing the wounds.
Reis takes a sip of the chalice, then passes it to Thorne, who takes a gulp, then Kaden.
The three fae close their eyes, and there's a moment of intense silence. I feel a cold chill run down my spine as they chant in a language I've never heard.
Whatever this test shows, my destiny is sealed. Either I am the heir to the throne of the dark fae or I'm not.
A huge part of me is in disbelief. I mean I would know that I'm part fae, wouldn't I?
I look at the three fae, my heart filled with uncertainty and intensity. I know that this is just the beginning and that there will be much more to come no matter what the results say.
Time seems to stand still and the air thickens with anticipation. The energy continues to build in the room and it feels like it's suffocating me.
The fae's eyes shift between black and red to white as the air thickens with magic and my skin prickles with cold energy. A chill travels down my spine as I wait for something to happen – an answer to appear before me like an epiphany – but nothing does. I can feel energy charging through my body like a fever. The air is thick with something I can't quite comprehend; so much is happening at once that it leaves me feeling lightheaded. My skin begins to itch and burn like fire ants are biting me all over. I shift uncomfortably on my feet, waiting for something else to happen— something to show me what's inside of me and if I'm fae at all.
I want to ask them if they sense anything or if I'm a regular human, but a bright blue light flashes from the circle and stretches up to the ceiling. The candles blow out like a gust of wind and leave us in darkness. Something tugs on my body, pulling me upward. My feet lift off the floor and panic chokes me.
"Thorne," I scream. "Reis... Kaden... do something!" But they don't answer me and it's too dark to make out what's going on.
Is it the portal? I can't leave without my dad.
What is happening? I feel lightheaded and dizzy, my body floating up into the air.
"No," I scream. Everything stops moving upwards and time seems to stand still for a moment before curving back on itself and a pop sounds.
Then all three fae fall onto the floor, convulsing and terror rips at my heart.
CHAPTER13
ANNALISE
"Thorne," I sob, falling to my knees beside him. Kaden twitches on my other side and Reis is in front of me.
Their bodies are writhing in pain as their bodies desperately attempt to survive the ritual they just completed.
"Reis. Kaden." I choke out a cry. "I'm so sorry." Why has this happened? Was my blood poisoned or something?
A sense of urgency presses on as I try to help them.
"Can you hear me? What can I do?" I try to speak to them, but my words are lost in the chaos of their convulsions.
I reach out to touch Thorne, but as soon as my hand makes contact, I am thrown back by a powerful shock. The faes' body arches in pain and I can see the veins in their neck bulging. I am not going to be able to help them like this.
"Please," I whisper. "Please come back to me. I can't do this without you... all three of you." I feel the truth of my words down into my bones.
The faes' convulsions begin to subside. Their bodies relax and the veins in their necks no longer bulge. I let out a sigh of relief.
Thorne groans and pushes himself up. While Reis and Kaden mutter curses.
I wait until they're all sitting and staring at me with strange looks that makes me wonder if I'm the monster here.
"Well?" I ask, my voice is raw and hoarse.
