…when you killed them, their emotions—the darkest, worst parts—had nowhere else to go. They filled me right up, fused with my own magic, and turned me into a bomb…
“Unlike me,” she said now, “my sister was made to channel that sort of energy. It’s the only thing strong enough—and dark enough—to overturn the natural order of hell and bind her here in our realm. And there’s really only one way to create it intentionally.” She rested her cheek on her knees and closed her eyes. “Ritual human sacrifice.”
“Fuck. That’s the Keepers of the Dark Flame connection, then. She’s using them—their rituals—as a power source.”
“That’s my best, most educated guess.”
“We need to find her and destroy her.” He rose from the couch, pacing the living room. “How do you kill a bloody succubus? There has to be a way. A spell, a curse, a trap… Something.”
“I want her gone more than anyone. Trust me. But we can’t kill her, Gabriel. Not yet.”
He stopped his pacing and stared at her. “Don’t tell me you’re going soft over the succubus who tormented you in hell.”
“That succubus is the only one who knows exactly where my father’s soul is imprisoned. I need answers from her, and I can’t get them if she’s dead.”
“Therehasto be another way to find him.”
“If I knew what it was, I’d be all over it.” She rose and headed for the balcony doors, staring out across the city just as he’d done. Her breath fogged up the glass, and he watched as she drew a heart, then erased it with her sleeve.
“The only way to save this city—andbreak my family curse, if I recall correctly—is by taking Viansa down. Now you’re saying our best play—ouronlyplay—is off the table?”
“If it means sacrificing my father? Yeah, it’s off the table.” Jacinda turned to face him, her eyes red and glassy. “I failed him twice, Gabriel. Once when I couldn’t destroy the seventh demon in hell. Again when I brought him back from the dead, only to turn him into a walking shell condemned to spend the rest of his pathetic life in the hospital. I willnotfail him again. Not for you and your family. Not for the entire city. Not for the world. Say whatever you want about me, but that’s how I feel.”
Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest, again fighting the urge to go to her. “Then you leave me no choice.”
She lowered her head and sighed, exhaustion radiating from every part of her. “Do what you think you have to do, Prince. I’m done fighting with you. I’ve got nothing left for you. So take me down, or get out of my way.”
“That’s it?” he asked, closing the distance between them. “Take you down or step aside?”
“Unless you’ve got a miracle up your sleeve.”
“Not a miracle, no.” He cupped her face, and she raised her eyes to meet his. “Just a witch.”
“You know I’ll do whatever I can to make this right.”
“I know.”
“Not just for my dad, but for you. The curse, I mean. Even if our problems weren’t connected, I’d still help you find a way to break it. I still… Gabriel, I…” She closed her eyes, pressing her lips together like she didn’t want another word to escape.
“Look at me, Jacinda,” he whispered. “Please.”
She obeyed, her eyes catching the moonlight, shimmering before him.
Fucking hell, she was beautiful. Captivating.
“Tell me,” he whispered.
She reached up and traced the line of his brow, down to his jaw, bringing her hand to rest against his chest. Then, with a sad smile that kicked him right in the gut, she said softly, “You already know.”
But hedidn’tknow. He was fucking clueless, lost beneath a wave of emotion that threatened to sweep him under, torn between capturing her in another breathless kiss and turning on his heel, bolting out the door, and never looking into those entrancing blue eyes again.
The force of her was almost unnatural, the pull of her, the promise. Despite his best intentions to keep his distance, Gabriel was already leaning close again, heart raging inside him, his gaze locked on her lush, pink mouth…
A knock on the door startled them apart.
“One of your brothers?” Jacinda asked, already heading for the door.
He couldn’t tell whether she was relieved or frustrated by the interruption.
