Page 100 of The Fate of Black Hearts

“What are we supposed to do without you?” Shane whispered. “You’re always six steps ahead, like you had this whole thing arranged with Cora and knew about that demon.”

“Well, I had an idea something like him was messing with all of us. I’ve been working on the right formula to eliminate demons with only a shotgun over the past few years and finally perfected it last month. I was going to give it to you guys for Christmas. But that’s so far off. I might give it to you as a death present.”

“How can you joke about this?” Ky caught Shane’s arm when he stumbled. “Efrem, you’re supposed to tell us this kind of shit.”

Efrem folded his arms across his chest. “Kid, I might’ve raised you from the second you were born, but she’s my fight or die. She has been my life since way before you existed. If she didn’t want to tell you, it’s not my place to do it.”

“You knew.” Roman whispered in an accusatory tone to Efrem. “How could you let her keep going out there?”

Efrem bristled. “Apparently, she’s had Dom acting as a guardian angel without any of us knowing.She’s also got an actual angel attached to her, just like you guys. Although it’s more like the mother of all angels.”

Evie whacked him in the arm. “You weren’t supposed to tell them about that. Hell, you weren’t supposed to know.”

“It’s about fucking time they know who brokered the deal for them to get guardian angels, don’t you think?” He threw up his hands. “I’m sick of all the secrets.”

“Is that true?” Roman asked.

She didn’t confirm nor deny.

“Mary…like the Madonna? Wow, Mom.” Roman took both her hands in his. “What did it cost to get that kind of protection?”

“Only what I was willing to give. Not as if they can take my soul, since we aren’t a part of Christian heaven and hell.” She squeezed his hand. “It saved you. It saved all of you. I volunteered to help them by doing what I’m good at. I assassinate vile humans who hurt women and children. You’re welcome. On my tombstone, I want it to say something likethe badass who saved us all.”

Lyra tugged on Dom’s arm until he looked at her. “We all need her. She knows this. It’s why she’s a mess. Buuutt…” She hit a few extra syllables on the word. “You’re the missing piece.”

“The missing piece to do what?” Louder he yelled, “What the hell will stop her from dying?”

Lyra was done with him. She rammed her shoulder into Efrem’s hip as she stalked past. “Now he’s scared.” She returned to Flynn to take his hand. “Take me home. We’re done here. It stinks, and Iwant a shower.”

“You scared me too, munchkin,” Roman mumbled.

“I am not a munchkin.” She whirled on Roman and kicked him in the shin. He doubled over, groaning. “Don’t call me squirt, munchkin, or shrimp. It’s not my fault I’m five and I’m still small. I’m the one who saved all of your asses today.” She cocked her head and scowled at Evie. “They’reinsufferable, just like you said.”

“Do you even know what that means, darling?” Evie compressed her lips against a smile.

“Means they’re big-headed asswipes.”

“Language, Lyra. That’s so undignified.” Shane bent down to meet her at eye level.

Lyra blinked at him.

Shane pointed at her. “I’m not scared of you.”

“You should be.” She backed into Flynn. “Let’s leave.”

Flynn lifted her into his arms to carry her.

Dom smashed his lips together to avoid laughing at the insanity of a child ordering all of them around.

“Lyra, wait,” Evie called out. She moved to go to her, but out of the blue Ky struck Roman, which pushed him into Evie’s path. She jumped back to avoid getting accidentally hit.

“You knew about the decline and Mom?” Ky accused Roman.

“I just said I didn’t. Get off me. Efrem knew, not me.” The two wrestled.

Flynn reached in and got elbowed, which pushed him into Shane. Shane growled and hit back.

Evie struggled to contain Shane by arm-lockinghim, but Flynn punched him.