Page 234 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

Demons. Trying to get to you before they do.

Hurry.

No shit.

A spark hit. I looked down at Freya. This was my chance. If I dragged her to Ma right now, I’d be untouchable. A legend. The bastard who bagged the Wraith.

The idea made me sick.

I drew my blade across my forearm and crouched beside her, holding it out in silent offering. Her eyes snapped to mine, flying wide.

“Don’t look so shocked. I promised you a vial, didn’t I?”

“No glass tubes?”

“Didn’t bring one.” Shadows coiled around my boots, squirming, uncomfortable with what lurked beneath. “Now, Freya. We gotta go and I’m not a pack mule.”

Her jade eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering behind them. Like she thought I’d yank it away. That pissed me off more than I wanted to admit.

She leaned in hesitantly, disbelieving eyes locked with mine, lips brushing against my skin. Lips I remembered—kissing me like she meant it. Her fingers tenderly curled around my forearm. She moved carefully, almost reverently. Her sharp inhale was the only sign it was working.

I looked away. Needed to. If I kept watching this beautiful creature, I’d⁠—

Her mouth lifted. She ran her tongue over the cut, then swiped it with her thumb. It sealed with a whisper of heat. Disgust and arousal warred in my chest.

Goddammit, Cyrus.

I stood abruptly. “Better?” I asked, voice too sharp.

She nodded slowly. “Thank you. You didn’t have to⁠—”

“It’s nothing,” I cut her off. “Can you walk?”

She drew a breath then nodded again. Good enough.

I shoved her forward, falling into step behind her as my shadows slipped ahead to scout. We ran through the tunnel, past the third crypt—I didn’t even think to look for a name.

A few minutes later, we hit another rotunda. This one had eight paths.

We were almost free. Nearly out of this fucking nightmare.

Freya didn’t hesitate—leftward path. We bolted. The glow of Koa’s tomb rose ahead, blindingly bright, just as screeches split the air behind us.

I shoved her between the shoulder blades. “Go! Faster, Freya!”

The shadows screamed—Run. Run. RUN.

She surged forward, footfalls frantic.

Ten paces. Talons scraped bone and stone behind us.

Nine. She looked back—eyes wide.

“GO!” I shouted, the sound swallowed by a guttural roar behind us.

Eight, seven, six⁠—

The hair on my spine lifted.