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The doorbell camera watched her. Eryn didn’t bother pretending to be happy, and tapped the button.

Tisiphone gallantly opened the door and tilted a loving smile. At home for a quiet evening, yet she looked glamorous in old jeans, a simple white tank top, and bare feet. In another life—with an entirely different personality for one of them—they might have become friends.

“You are ready,” Tisiphone said, her smile glowing with welcome. “Please, come in.”

Eryn hesitated on the doormat. “Do I have to beg for death again?”

“Would it change anything?”

“Yes.” Shoulders high, chin held high, she said plainly, “I’m done being toyed with.”

“Come. Let us share a bottle of wine and enjoy a pleasant dinner. I think you’ll find this final step far less painful.”

Tisiphone stepped back and motioned Eryn inside. The home radiated welcome and coziness.

“If we’re to be sisters, I don’t suppose you’ll leave this home to me, in your will?”

One side of Tisiphone’s red lips hooked up. Bitch enjoyed the game. “Why do you presume I will die? Immortality suits me.”

“Hypothetically. I’m trying to pay a compliment.”

Atop the kitchen island, on a copper tray, a bottle of white wine, two glasses, and an assortment of cheese, fruit, and nuts waited. “Dear sister, I am so pleased with your progress. You are so very ready, and I am relieved you accepted my invitation. Your cooperation makes this much simpler.”

For a moment, Eryn almost relaxed. Almost told the team to wait. Respite beckoned. The house, the simple comfort of Tisiphone’s demeanor; she was almost fooled. “As if I had a choice?”

“You and I are so alike. My birth sisters meant everything to me. I would have given my soul for them, as you have for Lexi.”

A screech rattled the air.

“Ugh, I told them to keep it down.” Tisiphone flicked a look out the wall of framed windows.

Panic lurched in Eryn’s chest. “Did they all make bargains, like I did?”

Shouts clashed with screams, steel against steel.

“How entirely do you control them? Do they kill for you?”

Tisiphone’s lips pursed with disappointment, but she was otherwise unmoved.

Another screech pinged inside her skull.

From the bright light of the house, Eryn couldn’t see into the darkness. A fight with Tisiphone outside would be close to impossible, but they were okay with another fight in the open? After last time?

Demon hunters were fearless—recklessly so. Living with a demon hunter would take some getting used to. If she survived the night.

Tisiphone filled her own glass and cradled her wine. Leaning against the counter, she said with a whiff of regret, “That depends on their willingness to accept who and what they are. Some are enthusiastic, others require more… persuasion.”

“How many are there?”

Her head spun and her ears split. Scream atop scream.

The pained howl of a wolf was the only natural sound between the screams and clashing of steel.

Dread spiked up Eryn’s spine.

“Your friends are starkly outnumbered. Convenient, however, having your demon-hunting friends cull the weak for me. I should have done so ages ago, but I get so attached. Well done, by the way, finding help as you have. Your sisters will not stop until they have feasted on the dying breaths of the team you brought to kill me, and a dying hunter tastes exquisite. Irresistible, which you now know.”

“Do they know they are feasting on souls?”