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The presence billowed out into the room. As she breathed, the air grew thick, and her lungs became heavy, unable to bear the weight of this strange presence.

This demon.

“Elias showed me that not all demons are evil,” she managed, still struggling to breathe. “But he’s not a greater demon. Theycreatedthe demons that plague the mortal realm. So many have diedbecause of what they’ve spawned.”

“Oh?” His tone sounded like he was placating a foolish child. “Are your hands clean of blood, niece?”

That one word struck her harder than a blow ever could.

He knew.

“The Everdark told me of our blood ties,” he said, answering her unspoken question.

Face flushing as she struggled to take another breath, she said, “How would a demon know about my lineage when I don’t?”

He gestured to the stone slab before them. “Ask him.”

For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes lingering on the impenetrable dark hovering at the base of the unnatural slab of stone. It was far too angular, too perfect in dimensions to have been chiseled by hand.

This was made with magic.

And it was the perfect shape for a body to be placed atop it.

A sacrifice.

Arden believed he’d discovered true power, which meant that this greater demon could either make bargains or bestow power on others.

Elias was different, she thought.This demon could be different, too.

Didn’t she owe it to Elias and her family in Shadowbank to at least hear Arden out? She was desperate for power and allies. If she turned down the opportunity to speak with the Everdark, perhaps the prince wouldn’t consider allying with her or marching against Magnus.

But the idea of speaking with a greater demon filled her with dread. The parts of her that were an enchantress railed at the very notion of speaking to one rather than immediately seeking a way to end its existence.

As she took a step toward the altar, a single conviction filled her. She’d do anything for her mate.

Even ally herself with a demon.

Then she was before the slab of stone. No, not just stone, she realized. It was an altar.

They worshipped this demon.

“Lie down,” the prince said somewhere behind her. “Offer yourself to him.”

Lowering herself onto the stone, she immediately felt the cold through her leathers.

Show me what you can do, she thought.And if you don’t have a way to help Elias, I’ll kill you myself.

The impenetrable shadows in the corners of the room swelled before moving toward her. Swallowing back her fear, she forced herself to remain still as the shadows descended. A strange pressure surrounded her body—first her legs, then her stomach and chest, until it was everywhere.

Then a voice as deep and unfathomable as the Abyss entered her mind.

Hello, granddaughter.

Chapter Twenty

ARABELLA

The darkness was all around, filling her mouth and throat. It was so thick that Arabella couldn’t breathe.