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But for every enemy we cut down, two more rose from the twisted shadows. The ground beneath our feet rippled with wrongness.

Asmodeus watched from his perch, not even bothering to hide his yawns as we fought for our lives.

“We can't keep this up,” Sean gritted out, blocking a strike from something with too many arms. “We need a plan that doesn't suck!”

I looked at the pentagram's writhing core, at the fracture growing wider with each pulse of stolen life force. The mark on my chest burned colder, recognizing its purpose.

“There's no choice,” I said quietly.

“No.” Sean grabbed my arm with desperate strength. Blood ran down his face, but his gaze was fierce. “We'll find another way. There's always another way. Don't you dare go all martyr on me now.”

“Not this time.” I reached up, my hand finding his face. My thumb traced his jaw, memorizing the stubble there. “The mark was always meant for this. I'm the only one who can contain that much power.”

“It'll kill you.” His voice cracked.

I managed a smile, though something in my chest ached at the raw fear in his eyes. “Maybe. Or maybe it'll just send me somewhere else. Either way, it's the only logical solution.”

“How touching,” Asmodeus drawled, finally showing interest. “The hunter and the marked one, sharing one last moment before inevitable tragedy. Almost makes me wish I still had a heart to break.”

Juno appeared beside us, her face grim with understanding. “Whatever you're planning, do it fast. That gate isn't getting any smaller.”

I pulled Sean close, letting my forehead rest against his for just a moment. “I'm sorry,” I whispered. Then, before he could stop me, I shoved him back with all my strength.

The mark blazed to life, creating a barrier between us that even Sean's hunter reflexes couldn't breach. I caught Juno's nod as she moved to hold him back.

“How noble,” Asmodeus mused, standing with liquid grace. “But do you even know how to channel that much power? Or will you just explode, taking this charming little city with you?”

I met his gaze steadily. “Guess we'll find out.”

The Prince's perfect smile widened. “Yes,” he purred. “I suppose we will.”

“You know what's funny?” I called out, moving closer to the pentagram. “For something ancient and all-powerful, you're pretty predictable.”

Asmodeus's smile faltered slightly. Behind the barrier, I heard Sean curse as he realized what I was doing.

“Oh?” The Prince's borrowed form shifted, shadows sliding beneath his skin. “Do enlighten me, little marked one.”

I let power flow through the mark, letting it build visibly. The air around me crackled with energy that made reality bend. “You're so focused on the ritual, on opening your precious gate...” I smiled. “You forgot to ask why I came here willing to die.”

The first flicker of real emotion crossed his features. Behind me, the pentagram's core pulsed faster, hungry for the power building between us.

“Cade, don't...” Sean's voice carried raw understanding of my plan.

“You want a channel for power?” I spread my arms, letting the mark blaze brighter. “Come and get it.”

Asmodeus moved like lightning, his borrowed form dissolving into pure darkness as he struck. I met his attack head-on, letting the mark's power explode outward. The collision sent shockwaves through the twisted park, feeding energy directly into the pentagram.

“Clever boy,” the Prince hissed, his form writhing around mine. “Using our battle to power the ritual. But you've only made our job easier.”

I laughed, though the sound held no humor. “Did I?”

We clashed again, power against power, light against shadow. Each impact fed more energy into the pentagram, making the fracture in reality grow wider. But this time, I was controlling the flow, directing it with purpose the Prince hadn't anticipated.

Sometimes the best way to spring a trap was to look like you were walking right into one.

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