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No longer am I fighting the Thief of Souls so much as I’m defending myself from Mara’s attacks. Right in the middle of the melee, he strides toward me.

The Thief runs his blade down my cheek then my arm. “So bloodthirsty. I hadnoidea.”

I swipe out at him, which he easily dodges.

“Mate,” Mara calls out to the Thief, “what are you doing?”

“Exacting our revenge,” he says over his shoulder.

That seems to appease her. The plants continue to pin me in place, squeezing me slowly.

The Thief of Souls drags my blade down my other cheek, slicing open the flesh. I feel a brief sting and then the warm sensation of blood slipping down my jaw. “The only problem is, the moment I truly hurt you, your mate will be on me.” He taps the blunt part of his blade against my nose. “But I think I’ve figured out a solution.”

I’m a fly caught in his web. The vines have completely overpowered me. My arms are pinned to my sides. I still hold my remaining blade, but I cannot move enough to saw my way out of my bindings.

He leans in close. “Why don’t I explain exactly what I plan for you?

“Right now, my magic is incompatible with yours, and that ruins all my fun. But it doesn’t have to be that way—not if you drink a certain something.

“Have you heard that lilac wine, the rarest of fairy elixirs, can not only bestow longevity to mortals, it can heal the wounded?”

I thin my gaze.

“It’s a cure-all of sorts, and if you drink it, well, then youwouldbe able to fall victim to my power, and your soul…your soul could be mine for the taking.”

This sicko.

“I could just give the wine to you here and now, but”—he seems far too giddy—“I have an even better idea.”

He lifts my blade to his eyes, inspecting it. His gaze flicks to mine.

“This might hurt.”

With one swift movement, he buries the knife in my gut.

Chapter 52

I choke, my skin flaring even brighter.

So much pain!

From behind us, Mara gasps, her vines loosening. “What are you doing?” she asks, aghast.

Rather than answering, the Thief yanks up on the hilt. My body jerks as he cuts through vines, flesh, and organs. I let out a scream, my glamour making the cry sound lyrical.

In the distance, Des roars, the sound eclipsing all others. In an instant he’s in that forest with us, bloody and broken and angry.

He drags the Thief of Souls away from me before throwing him to the ground with an enraged cry.

Mara’s vines release me, and I fall to my knees.

My surroundings are darkening, and I can’t tell if it’s the Bargainer’s doing or if I’m just that close to blacking out.

Cannot black out.

Dimly, I’m aware Mara is watching the scene unfold and that Galleghar, wherever he is, has not joined the group of us. But more than anything, I’m aware of my mate and the Thief of Souls.

The Bargainer stomps on the Thief’s calf, snapping the bone.