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She really, really wanted another cigarette.

“I may be an asshole, but you’re drawn to me, aren’t you?”

“I’m going to kill you,” Amaliya said, smiling.

“I know you’ll try. I also know you’ll fail.” His kiss was searing, demanding, and full of need.

Amaliya bit his lip hard, and he jerked his head back. He felt pain in his new form. That was interesting. “So, since I’m going to make you kill me later, why don’t you kill me instead of Bianca?”

“Self-sacrifice really doesn’t suit you,” The Summoner chided her. “Besides, I have no intention of killing you. You are mine. My dark bride.” As if to prove a point, he shoved Bianca’s prone, unconscious form away. “Our time has come. You must accept it.”

With a grin, Amaliya shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

“But you will.” The hunger in his kiss was intoxicating.

Even as she succumbed to his seduction and the dark, twisted power of the sword flowed through the room, Amaliya knew she would never allow him to rule the world. Somehow, she would stop him.

Aimee set stones and crystals in a distinct pattern over the large map she had spread out on the dining room table. Candles burned in a circle on the floor and the scent of Cassandra’s blood wafted with the fragrance of magic. Cian and Jeff stood just inside the doorway observing the preparations. Cassandra sat at the table within the circle, her eyes red and swollen.

“This will work,” Jeff muttered, sounding like he was trying to convince himself.

Deeper in the house the cabal was preparing to leave. They hoped to intercept Galina before she reached San Antonio. If they were lucky, she was driving to meet The Summoner. Her route would take her through the Austin area.

The longing for Amaliya filling Cian mingled with his fears of losing her. She was strong and he knew she’d find a way to manipulate, then kill The Summoner. The necromancer’s obsession with Amaliya was something Cian knew she could use to good effect if she was clever. It wasn’t difficult for Cian to understand why The Summoner desired her at his side. Amaliya was powerful, beautiful, and possessed a wild energy that was very seductive. Cian loved Amaliya for many reasons, but she was the catalyst that made him feel alive. He could easily see her doing the same for The Summoner, which would be a heady experience for a vampire who was so old he was far removed from his humanity.

“This will work, right?” Jeff whispered, now sounding doubtful.

“Yes. Of course.” Cian gave the man a pat on the shoulder.

Nodding his head, Jeff edged closer to Cian. “I need to talk to you about something before we go.”

“Now?”

The witch continued to lay out the small stones and crystals, her long bronze hair catching the light of the chandelier overhead.

Jeff winced, then nodded.

Cian stepped into the main foyer of the house. It was empty except for them. Drawing a little too close for Cian’s comfort, Jeff leaned in to Cian.

“It’s about Eduardo.”

“Oh?” Cian said inquisitively.

Jeff swallowed hard, then said in an ever quieter voice, “He’s a serial killer.”

Cian lifted both of his eyebrows.

“Girls that look a lot like Amaliya have been disappearing. Samantha has seen two of their ghosts. They were ripped apart, ravaged by a were-creature. The last girl to vanish was near your old place after you tossed Eduardo out of the van. Both ghosts were angry at me for not stopping the person who killed them.” Jeff sighed. “I know it’s flimsy evidence, but...”

Cian gave a shake of his head. “No, I believe you. Though I’m not sure you can call him a serial killer. He’s a coyote. His nature is to hunt.”

“Yeah, but he’s not supposed to kill humans, right? That?

??s your rule over your city.”

“True.” Cian reflected on the things Amaliya had told her about Eduardo. “He did say something once to Amaliya about wanting to have sex with her because he could rip her up and she’d survive.”

Jeff winced. “He thought that was a come on?”