The First Knight’s demonic army circles us. They look like ordinary folks—teachers, nurses, grandpas, and occasionally a few thugs. If it weren’t for their garnet eyes, you’d think we marched into some sort of high school reunion. But after years on the job, I know better than to judge a book by its cover. Those mothers might look fragile, but they can wipe you out with a movement of their damn pinky.
Jesse leans against the rock. “Just like old times, huh?”
I’d cast him a “WTF” look, but my facial muscles are too busy making pained grimaces.
“What?” he murmurs. “It’s true. We’ve been through shit like this before, haven’t we?”
“You and I remember our time on the job very differently, little brother.” Zombies, pedophiles, witches, psychotic bokors—that’s the sorta shit we made it through. My gaze shoots to Manda. She kneels before the book, a golden sword between her palms. An untouchable ex-girlfriend, possessed by the power of a bloody grimoire, hell-bent on ending the world? That’s a little more than our usual crazy.
He shifts closer. “She almost killed you, Alex.”
“She didn’t,” I shoot back.
He sighs, gaze glued to Manda. “Dude, do you really think you can bring her back from this?”
“I have to try.” After everything she’s done for us, I owe her that much. C’mon, she could have walked away when we lost the zombie cure. Instead, she risked her life to bring my brother back. Then when she learned I sold my soul, she could have easily left me to rot in the pit. She didn’t. Now, it’s time I pay her back. Even if it kills me.
Jesse’s shoulders droop. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
Not really. But does it matter?
“Bring the girl,” Manda orders the First Knight’s Voldemort fan club.
The Blair kid sobs uncontrollably as they drag her toward the gate. “Please,” she begs them. “I didn’t mean it. I never wanted this.”
“What the hell is she talking about?” Jesse whispers.
I have no clue, but something stinks.
They drop her by Manda’s feet. She flashes her a fake smile. “It’s all right, Alison. We’re not going to hurt you.”
“Liar,” the kid cries.
Manda looks at me. “I’ve been called worse.”
The First Knight is by Amanda’s side. “Let’s just get it over with, love.”
Manda cocks a brow. “Don’t tell me what to do.”
The demon frowns. “I was just—”
“You were just shutting your damn mouth.” The ice in her voice makes the First Knight shudder. He, Lucifer’s left hand, fears Manda. Can’t say I blame him. Had she looked at me like that—as if she wanted to hang me upside down to gut me—I’d probably be afraid, too.
Manda shoves the sword under the Blair kid’s nose. “Do you know what that is?” The girl shakes her head, tears streaming down her face. “It’s the sword of a cherub,” Manda explains, tracing the sharp blade with her index finger. “The only weapon that can kill a soul.”
Did she just say the blade can kill a soul? That’s impossible. Souls are indestructible. They’re pure energy.
“Please,” the Blair girl tries again. “I never wanted any of this.”
Manda gets down on one knee. “Is that so?”
The girl nods. “I didn’t know he’d kill them. I swear, I just wanted to be with my boyfriend.”
I must have hit my damn head when she threw me against the tree. Because I could swear, the girl just admitted she had something to do with her parents’ murders.
“What the fuck is going on?” Jesse clearly heard it, too. I don’t recall him hitting his head.
Manda laughs. The chilling sound echoes through the woods, likely scaring every living and breathing creature in it. “Let me get this straight,” she says, swallowing the bitter laughter. “You went to a crossroad at midnight, summoned a demon with a book you bought on eBay, asked him to free you from your parents’ iron reign, but you had no idea he’d kill them?”
“Jesus,” Jesse hisses. “What happened to the good old times when all teenagers did was get wasted and screw around?”
The kid averts her gaze. “I…”
“You”—Manda lifts her chin—“knew exactly how this was going to end. A deal with hell comes with a price.” She eyeballs me. “Isn’t that right, Alex?”
“Manda,” I start, pushing myself up. “Please, she’s just a kid.”
“We were all kids once,” she shoots back.
The Blair girl grabs Manda’s ankles. “You don’t understand,” she cries. “They wanted me to be someone I’m not. All that talk about religion and being good”—she almost chokes on her tears—“they suffocated me.”
Manda looks me in the eye. “Trust me, I know how that feels.”
“I never wanted you to be someone else,” I yell. Don’t ask me why, but I need her to know that. “I didn’t ask you to change, Manda.”
“You didn’t have to ask.” She shrugs. “I saw the way you looked at me, Alex. As if I were worthless, rotten to the core.” A lopsided grin tugs at her lips. “Guess you were right all along. Anyway”—she draws a deep breath, focusing on Alison—“you got what you wanted. Now it’s time you pay the price.”
Manda lifts the sword. “Start the chant,” she orders the First Knight.
He and his minions gather around the gate. Each holding a black candle, they speak words in an alien language.
The earth trembles, rattling the iron gates. Creatures with shark-like teeth snarl behind the barrier. Red, amber, yellow—eyes the color of an ugly rainbow stare back at us. Shadowy fingers reach through, rocking claws Freddy Krueger would envy.
“Where are the others?” I hear myself ask.
“They better hurry the fuck up,” Jesse barks, never taking his eyes off what’s behind the iron bars.
Manda rolls her shoulders back. “Don’t worry,” she says to the kid. “I promise it’ll be quick.”
In slow motion, the sword comes down. She’s going to kill her and by doing so the beasts will be freed.
The demonic army kneels, completely focused on the ritual.
Whatever it takes. Well, that’s now or never.
Chapter 46
Amanda
The cherub’s blade catches fire. It’s the only weapon mighty enough to destroy a soul. In fact, it can off any creature. Even gods. The weapon, once created to keep darkness away from humanity, will free it now.
“Please,” Alison begs. “Don’t kill me. I just wanted to be me.” Pleading blue eyes filled with salty tears look up at me. They bring back unwanted memories. Flashes of a girl that would have understood where she came from and why she couldn’t live in her parents’ prison any longer.
Go ahead, the voice urges me, end her suffering. She’ll be better off dead.
The chants of Clyde and his minions grow louder. A rush of pure energy jolts through my backbone into my palms.
Do it. Do it now!
An invisible force guides my hand. The blazing sword comes down. Any second it will slice right through Alison, capturing her soul, and releasing the creatures behind the iron bars.
“You’ll be better off dead,” I assure her.
Then I strike the sword down.
No, wait.
I am struck down.
What the fuck?
Malachite eyes gaze into mine. Alex lays on top of me, his weight keeping me down. “Sorry,” he whispers, securing the blazing sword above my head. “I can’t let you do that, Manda.”
He’s lost his last freakin’ brain cells. Why else would he jump me, knowing I can kill him with a damn thought?
“Manda, listen to me.” The pressure of him on top of me feels so familiar it scares the shit outta me. “This isn’t you,” he goes on. “You don’t want to kill that girl.”
Of course, you do!
Do I?
“How many times did you wish your mother was dead?” he asks, never once taki
ng his eyes off mine. “She had no idea what magic and demons can do,” he advocates on Alison’s behalf. “The demon did that to her…to both of you.”
Lies! We all have our choices. You chose to open the gate, remember?
I…I—
“Ma—”
Alex is off me, dangling a foot above the ground. “Enough.” Clyde tightens his grip on Alex’s throat. “You caused more trouble than I thought, hunter.” He smirks. “It’s time we get rid of you for good.”
I get on my feet, head pounding like crazy.
Clyde throws him toward me. “Kill him,” he orders.
It’s the only way to be free.
The vision flickers across my mind. Alex on his knees, me driving the cherub blade through his heart.
It was always meant to end like this.
I lift the blazing sword, closing the tiny gap between us. Just like in my vision, Alex kneels before me. “You don’t have to do this,” he says, fearless.
Yes, you do. He hurt you, treated you like garbage. He doesn’t deserve your pity.
I don’t pity him. I—
You what? Love him? Dark laughter thunders through my brain. Love is for children, Amanda.
“Kill him,” Clyde barks again.
Alex’s malachite eyes stay on me. He doesn’t care about Clyde, or the demons inching closer. “I…” He takes a deep breath. “I love you, Manda. I know I didn’t always show it, but damn I do.”
He’d say anything to get out of this alive.
“You don’t know him,” I yell, the pain in my head driving me insane.
I know he consorted with your mother. He said it himself he contemplated her offer.
But he didn’t accept it. He had countless chances to kill me. Yet here I am, alive, and about to raise hell.
“Amanda,” Clyde shouts. “Do it or I will kill your precious little boy.”
Leandro. I gaze at Alex and all I see is that little boy’s smile. The way he stretched out his arms, needing me to hold him. All I ever wanted was to keep him safe, to make sure he grew up knowing he’s loved. Now, I’m killing his father?
He’s not a father, the voice barks. He left you pregnant with nowhere to go.
“No.” Alex never left me. “I was the one who walked away.” I knew he was hurt when he had his gun to my head, just like I knew he would have never pulled that damn trigger.
Clyde grabs my arm, forcing me to face him. “You are mine. You will do as I say, or I make sure they tear your son into pieces.”
Listen to him. Save your son.
An invisible hand guides mine, slowly bringing the sword to Alex’s heart. “It’s okay,” he assures me. “I’ll be fine.”
Something wet rolls down my cheeks.
Are those—
Tears. I’m crying. How is that even possible? I’m darkness.
The tip of the blade penetrates Alex’s shirt when a thunderous voice echoes off the trees. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Across the meadow wearing her usual good-girl attire stands the Nun. Except she’s possessed by an amber-eyed demon—another knight of hell.
Chapter 47
Alex
The tip of a flaming sword penetrates my chest. I’m sure it hurts like a bitch, but pain is the last of my concerns. I got through to Manda. I know because when she looks at me now, I don’t see green flames. I see an ocean of sparkling emeralds. Berith is here. They didn’t abandon us after all. Maybe there’s still time to turn this ship around.
The demons form a guard of honor, allowing the Princess of Hell to pass through. Head up high, she sashays toward us. But where the fuck is the rest of the cavalry? Why is she alone? Where’s her demon army? The hunters? The Lacroixs?
The First Knight meets her halfway. “Stay out of this, Berith.”
“Or what?” She laughs.
The First Knight nods at his demons. They move in on the princess. “Really?” she mutters, unimpressed. A snap of a finger later, six demons are down and Berith still stands. “Is that all you got, Beelzebub?”
Beelzebub? Did she just call the First Knight Beelzebub? As in Lord of the Flyers? Shit just keeps getting worse, doesn’t it? I mean there’s a reason folks believe Beelzebub is Satan. The stories they tell about that creature are the stuff of nightmares.
“Shut up,” Manda yells, startling us all. “Just shut the fuck up.”
I have no idea who she’s talking to, but I’m starting to fear for her sanity. Ever since I saw her at the B&B, she spoke to someone who wasn’t there. Whoever it is makes her push the blade harder against my already torn flesh.
“Stop,” Berith shouts. “You really don’t want to do this.”
Manda closes her eyes. When she opens them again, they’re blazing. “Yeah,” she says, smirking. “And why’s that?”
Berith pushes past the First Knight. “Because if you destroy his soul, yours will perish, too. But unlike Alexander, you won’t die.” She raises her brows. “Darkness will claim you once and for all.”
Manda laughs. “You’re crazy. Why would—”
“He’s your soulmate,” Berith blurts out. “Destroying his soul means destroying yours. One-half of a soul can’t exist without the other. You should know that, witch.”
“I’m her what?”
“He’s not my soulmate,” Manda hisses, tightening her grip on the flaming sword. “He can’t be.”
“Why?” Berith sighs. “Because the smoke stayed black when you did the ritual in that tiny bathroom above the hunter bar?”
“You did what?” I bark at Manda, not giving a fuck about the blade to my heart. How could she have done the ritual without telling me?
“There’s just one crucial detail you didn’t consider,” Berith continues.
Manda slams her hand on her hip. “What’s that?”
“You’re an untouchable.” Berith comes nearer. “Immune to all magic, including your own.”
Manda’s gaze darts to the First Knight. “But…” She shakes her head. “I don’t understand.”
“I think you do,” Berith objects. “C’mon, Amanda. You’re a smart witch. I’m sure you can add one and one. Killing the kid isn’t the endgame. It’s just taking you one step closer to the edge, numbing you so you can do the real ritual. Why do you think he wants you to kill Alex?”
I understand jack.
Manda, however, puts the jigsaw together. “What is she saying?” she yells at the First Knight. “Tell me what she means.”
“I have no idea.” He shrugs.
Berith flashes him a wicked smile. “Sure, you do, Beelzebub. You know as well as I do what the last sacrifice really is. And it most certainly isn’t”—she tilts her chin at the Blair girl—“the soul of that kid.”
“Someone tell me what the fuck’s going on,” I demand. These goddamn riddles are getting on my nerves.
“Yeah,” Manda says, slowly facing the First Knight. “You better tell me what she’s talking about before I slam that blade into your heart.”
The knight averts his gaze. He ain’t going to tell her shit.
Berith flashes her an apologetic smile. You’d almost think she feels sorry for Manda. “Why do you think the book didn’t want Alex dead?”
Manda’s jaw clenches. “How do you—”
“It only shows you what it wants you to see. The last ritual you read isn’t the real deal.” She crosses her arms, eyeballing the gate. “There’s only one way to unleash hell.”
Manda’s jaw clenches. “But…” The truth creeps up on her. “You used me,” she yells at the Knight. “You and that”—her gaze darts to the evil tome—“stupid book used me?”
“Don’t take it too hard,” Berith says. “He’s been planning this since the day you were born.”
Manda stomps toward the Princess of Hell. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Her eyes blaze like green hellfire, but she sounds more like herself than ever.
“Of course, he didn’t tell you.” Berith rolls her eyes. “Men.”<
br />
Manda points the flaming sword in her direction. “Tell me!”
“Your birth was a big deal in hell.”
“Why?” Manda laughs dryly. “Because they were looking forward to today?”
“No.” Berith’s eyes grow distant. “You see, every generation bears a gate keeper. A witch fated to keep darkness at bay. But you”—she drinks her in, eyes glistening with adoration—“you were special, Amanda. Born of the oldest witch line, blessed with powers unlike any we’d ever seen in a witch, and untouchable.” Her lips curve into a half-smile. “The boss was obsessed with keeping you out of harm’s way. It’s why he sent his best and most trusted solider to protect you.” She looks to the First Knight. “Isn’t that right, Beelzebub?”
Manda is half-laughing, half-screaming. “The devil, as in Lucifer, sent someone to protect me?” She shakes her head in disbelief. “And why would he do that?”
“Because you’re the only one who can keep those gates closed,” I reply, finally able to answer a question. It makes sense, though. If Lucifer doesn’t want to fight the final battle, he needs Manda safe so nothing like this would happen. Only problem? He trusted the wrong demon.
“I…I—”
“That’s enough,” Beelzebub aka First Knight thunders; his voice cracks the soil. “You signed a deal,” he says, approaching Manda. “You’re going to honor it. Or—”
She swings the sword. It cuts some of Beelzebub’s hair. “Don’t you dare give me orders.” Her eyes are not the only thing on fire. Green sparks fly off her skin. “You made me sell my soul, blackmailed me into getting the book, and for what?” She narrows her eyes. “To free that bitch who promised you—”
“Shut up.” Beelzebub stumbles backward. “Just shut up!”
“What bitch?” Berith asks, sounding pissed.
Manda’s lips curve into a half-grin. “Tell her. Tell her why you really want to open the gate.”
“How dare you?” He pays no attention to the sword, moving in on Manda. “If it wasn’t for me, you’d be dead by now. All those times you sat in the attic, considering ending your pitiful existence, I was there for you. Not”—he shoots me a killer look—“your hunter. It was me who kept you sane.”
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