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Bianca’s smile became almost serpentine. “You tell me. ”

“Where’s my grandmother and my cousin?” Amaliya demanded.

The lithe girl in the stained white dress swayed on her feet, smiling. “Tell me, Amaliya. ”

“Where is my family?” Amaliya shouted at Bianca.

Bianca licked her lips. “Dead. ”

With a scream of anger, Amaliya hurled herself at the young woman. She instantly realized it was a mistake. Bianca caught her, a triumphant smile on her face. “Always making mistakes. Always self-destructing. Tell me, Amaliya, what does death taste like?” Bianca crushed her lips against Amaliya's.

Instantly, Amaliya was flooded with the darkest of magicks. It filled her up and battered against her own power. It tried to overwhelm her mind and drag her into the abyss. Her body sang with need: the need for blood, the need for death, and the need for sex. Teetering on the edge of madness, hunger, and pleasure, Amaliya clutched Bianca to her. Their kiss was savage, full of hate, desire, and nameless darkest needs.

Amaliya wanted to drown in Bianca's power and rise again as her darkest bride.

No, as his darkest bride.

With a scream of rage, Amaliya hurled Bianca from her. Wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she swayed on her feet. She briefly caught sight of Cian, held back by Cassandra and Eduardo. Understanding filled his horrified gaze.

Laughing, Bianca languidly licked her lips.

“How?” Amaliya gasped. “How?”

“Do you think I would die so easily? Did you think I would not find a way back from beyond the veil?” Bianca scoffed at her.

“The Summoner,” Cassandra gasped.

“Yes,” Rachon admitted. “It's him. Or a part of him. ”

Bianca reached for Amaliya again, but she ducked away. “Come now, my delectable little necromancer. I have grand plans for you. ”

“Leave her be,” Cian ordered, his voice ragged with hate and rage.

Twirling around to face Cian, Bianca narrowed her gaze. “I need to kill you. You don't amuse me anymore, Cian. ”

“Fuck you,” Cian answered.

“You had so much potential, you know, to be my perfect offspring, but you could never quite shake off your mortality. ” Bianca tapped her foot on the ground. “Your adoration for the mortals is always your undoing. ”

“He's going to kill all of us,” Rachon said. “He's toying with us. Another game. ”

Bianca lifted her chin, her eyes amused. “Possibly. ”

Amaliya drew her silver blade. “I say we put him down so he never rises. ”

Lowering her head, Bianca frowned. “Really now?”

The dead broke free from their silent stances and surged toward Cian and the others. Amaliya uncoiled her power, her eyes flashing white as her own army of the dead rose out of the ground. Her dead blocked Bianca's minions.

“This is between you and me,” Amaliya said in a grim voice. “Let the others go and face me. ”

“Do you really believe you can best me twice?” Bianca's voice was mocking and cold.

“Yes, I do, bitch,” Amaliya answered.

Cassandra attacked in that instant, blades flashing. Bianca darted out from beneath the swinging daggers, easily evading Cassandra's assault. Ducking out from under what should have been a lethal swipe, Bianca smashed her fist into Cassandra's stomach, sending the woman crashing through a headstone.

Cian leaped at Bianca while Eduardo charged her on the ground. Amaliya surged forward, but a deft kick from Bianca sent Eduardo crashing into Amaliya, toppling them both to the ground. Pushing herself up with her hands, Amaliya saw Bianca pluck Cian out of the air and slam him into the ground. Lifting her hand, Bianca hissed. Before she could deliver a killing blow, Rachon hurled a broken headstone at Bianca's head. The girl glanced up just as it struck, toppling her over.