Page 122 of Mortis

Now I looked around the cemetery.

Different mortals wore the same blood-red robes. They surrounded the same altar. Worshipped the same master. Still prepared to spill innocent blood in exchange for the same empty promises.

Years had passed, and nothing had changed except the man leading them.

“I spared you because you were innocent,” I said quietly.

Sebastian cackled. “And I’ve spent sixty years proving you wrong.”

“No.” His laughter stopped. “I was right.”

Sebastian slowly straightened. “Right about what, beast?”

“You were a child. You had committed no sin.” My gaze flicked towards the dagger hovering above Teddy’s heart. A tightness formed in my throat as I looked Sebastian directly in the eyes. “Everything you became afterwards was your own choice.”

The man covering Teddy’s mouth yelped and snatched his hand away. The knife dropped to his side, and Teddy lifted his head to glare in Sebastian’s general direction.

“You’re a fucking psycho who rebuilt an entire cult because your dad didn’t read the terms and conditions.”

“Teds!” Arlo hissed beside me.

“What?” Teddy shook his head. “That’s basically what happened!”

My lips twitched, and the Beast purred within.

He is magnificent.

Naturally, I agreed.

Sebastian, unfortunately, did not.

He stalked towards the altar, towards Teddy, and I surged onto my hooves with a growl. Sebastian stopped and turned back to me. His eyes glittered beneath the moonlight, his mouth stretching into a triumphant grin.

“It doesn’t matter anyway, because all the pieces are finally in place.” He gestured towards Teddy. “And we have the perfect sacrifice to put you back in chains.”

I lunged towards the altar. Sebastian snatched the dagger from his follower and aimed the blade at Teddy. I froze where I stood.

“Your father sacrificed strangers,” I snarled.

“My father lacked imagination.” Sebastian looked down at Teddy, who glared straight back. “I thought our Lord might appreciate something that actually matters to you.”

A pained bellow sounded nearby. The man restraining Arlo collapsed in a heap, both hands flying to his groin. Arlo stumbled free and disappeared between the cloaks.

“What the—” Sebastian spun towards the commotion. “Seize him!”

Now, the Beast rumbled. Kill him.

I moved. Leaping over the altar, I slammed into Sebastian, driving him to the ground. His back struck the earth beneath us, and I pinned him beneath my weight. He slashed wildly with the dagger, and the blade caught my skin. I barely felt it, because all I could see was his throat.

All I could think about was finally ending this.

My claws lifted.

“Kael!”

My head snapped towards the altar. One of the cult members had hauled Teddy from the stone and was carrying him towards the entrance to the catacombs. Away from me. Teddy struggled helplessly in his arms, and I looked down at Sebastian.

One second, that was all I needed.