Chapters (58)
- About the Author
- Title Page
- Imprint Page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Map
- Contents
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Forty
- Forty-One
- Forty-Two
- Forty-Three
- Forty-Four
- Forty-Five
- Forty-Six
- Forty-Seven
- Forty-Eight
- Acknowledgments
- Endmatter page 1
I was pretty sure what I did, aside from royally annoy him, was ensure neither of us ended up dead by the other’s hand. The tattoos likely acted as a magical bond of sorts. Unbinding us so he could rip out my heart like he’d done to my sister was the last thing I’d do.
“Unbelievable,” I scoffed. “Demanding things when you’re not the one with the power here.” His expression was one of pure disgust. I hoped it mirrored my own. “I need to know who you are and why you killed my sister. Since you can’t go back to your Hell dimension without me allowing it, I suggest playing by my rules.”
I couldn’t be sure, but there was a shift in the atmosphere around us, and I had the strangest impression his power slithered out, circled me, then slunk away. His nostrils flared. He was raging against the magical leash I’d put on him, straining to snap free. I watched, a small spiteful smile curving my lips. If he didn’t hate me before, I’d accomplished that tenfold now. Perfect. It seemed we finally understood each other.
“One day I’m going to be free of this bond. Think very carefully about that.”
I stepped close to him, angling my face up. “One day, I’m going to find a way to kill you. Think very carefully about that. Now, tell me who you are and why you wanted Vittoria dead.”
He offered me a smile that probably made men piss themselves; I refused to give in to fear. “Very well. Since you only have minimal time to hold me here, and have already wasted precious minutes with your poor excuse of an assassination attempt, I’ll play your game. I am the Prince of Wrath, general of war, and one of the feared Seven.”
Before I could blink, he trailed a finger down my throat, pausing at the vein that throbbed beneath my skin. Undiluted dread shot through me. I shoved his hand away, and stepped out of the summoning circle. I noticed the scattered bones and scrambled to put them back in place.
His grin turned into something sharp and wicked.
“Congratulations, witch. You’ve succeeded in getting my full attention. I hope you’re prepared for the consequences.”
Arrogance dripped off him. Only a fool wouldn’t be terrified of the beast I sensed lurking beneath his skin. He radiated power—vast and ancient. I had little doubt he could end my life with nary a thought.
All the same, the corner of my lips twitched.