Page 1

1

NOVA

An inferno is raging inside me. Everything Mack told me about harnessing my emotions has gone from my thoughts. All I can think about right now is getting us the hell out of here.

But there is nothing I can do.

I was unpredictable enough before… if I unleash now, I could kill us all.

“Miranda must be one powerful fucking witch,” Tanner mutters from behind me, inching closer before Zephyra commands him to stop and stay where he is.

A crack of thunder sounds above us.

I look for Kim, but he’s slumped in a vampire’s arms, blood trickling from his neck, eyes closed. My heart tightens and strains like it’s being pulled in two different directions. He came here to help us. He didn’t have to. He had no reason to. And now he’s barely breathing.

“Enough chit-chat.” Zephyra snaps her fingers. Her vampires step silently out of the shadows. They move as if they are floating, their feet inexplicably soundless when they meet with the puddles that mottle the ground.

“You have a choice,” she says loudly as she meets my gaze. “You can come with me, and I’ll let your boyfriends go.” Her eyes flit to Snow, who’s licking the wound on his flank. “Your dog too.” She lifts her chin and smooths her hands over her hips. She is tall, slender, and willowy — but not frail. She is strong. She oozes power. It seeps from her pores like an intoxicating perfume. Liquid strength.

“Or you can refuse.” Her lips curl into a vicious smile. “In which case, I’ll kill your boyfriends and take you anyway.” She moves closer, steepling her fingers together. “Either way, Fire Bird, you’re coming with me. But it’s up to you whether your boyfriends get to enjoy the rest of their stay in my fine city or whether their journey ends here.”

Fire Bird.

My nickname has traveled across the world. But right now, I feel completely undeserving of my infamy.

Without even taking a breath to think, I nod and step closer to Zephyra. “Let them go. I’ll come with you.”

The words have barely left my mouth when Kole lurches toward me. He is silent, but his voice beats a hard rhythm against the inside of my skull. Nova, you can’t. You don’t know her like I do.

I ignore him. Partly because I have already made up my mind, and partly because of the visceral pang of jealousy in my stomach as I realize that he and Zephyra were close once.

Lovers.

More than lovers?

I know she had a hold over him. I know he hates her now. But did he hate her then? Was he always repulsed by her or was he drawn to her perfect skin, her thick glossy hair, and the way she moves as if every living thing on Earth should bend to her will.

“Ink Heart,” she snaps, looking to him. “You too.”

Dark shadows draw like curtains of displeasure across Kole’s face.

Zephyra grins. “You didn’t think I’d let you escape me twice, did you?” She shrugs, then rubs her hands together. Waving at Kole and me, she says, “You two come with me. The others leave. That’s the deal.”

I’m about to protest, but Kole has already agreed. Nodding, he meets my eyes. Together, we can find a way out.

I incline my head the smallest amount — so that no one else but the two of us will notice.

“Why not take us all with you?” Tanner’s fingers are still itching to unleash. His eyes dart to the puddles in front of us as if he is desperate to pull the water free and use it to wipe the vamps from their feet.

“Because I have no need for you,” Zephyra replies bluntly. Her gaze moves to Mack. “Especially the old man.” She narrows her eyes. “In fact, you might want to—”

As Zephyra trails off, Tanner turns to Mack. He looks deathly pale, and suddenly it’s like his bones have melted and his body is unable to support itself. He wavers, then falls to the floor.

I reach for him, but Zephyra snaps her fingers at me. I stop even though I ache to move to his side.

“Time to go,” she says. Then she raises her hand and waves over her shoulder.

The vamps start to mutter and move to one side.