Page 83 of All Your Deadly Truths (The Filthy Duet #2)

Kairhyse

K ayn is the only one not staring. I have no idea why everyone else’s attention is fixed on me—maybe because Xera stepped away with Mister to discuss something in private. It can’t be what I’m wearing, but I guess I look the most casual: dark jeans with a black T-shirt.

It’s strange, although I can see the two of them clearly on the other side of this dimly lit parking lot, I can’t hear a word they’re saying.

Alaric clears his throat, stepping toward me.

We haven’t interacted since he and my little demon went to the Beyond.

Truthfully, I could go the rest of my existence without it.

But after talking with her about everything that happened, I can’t say I really hate the guy.

He’s being used—not as much as Xera, but enough that I can’t help but feel a sliver of sympathy.

“She alright?”

Turning from him, I shift my gaze to my girl—knelt in front of Mister. She’s clad in black jeans and a matching long-sleeve spandex bodysuit, the fabric hugging every lethal, beautiful curve. In this moment, she looks nothing less than an assassin.

Her Familiar is sitting, his tail wagging back and forth.

“Do you actually—” I cut myself off and shake my head. He does care, in some way. There’s no point in asking a stupid question, one that will only lead us into an argument. “Yes and no. It’s complicated, just like she is.”

“She’s probably the most complex being I’ve ever met.

” He releases a heavy, regretful sigh. “Demons have always poisoned our world, and I’m confident that Xera would agree with that.

When I initially planned on coercing her to give me what I wanted, I didn’t give two fucks about her feelings on it. ”

I keep my anger in check, only because I hear the past tense in his words.

“She may still be a poison to this world, but I also can see the cure to it.” He huffs loudly, pulling my attention to him.

His bright blue eyes glow against the night, cutting straight into mine.

“It was selfish of me… to not give her the choice. While we have to address Belial’s demands…

” He pauses to sigh. “It will only happen when she, and you, say so.”

I want so badly to tell him it will never happen, and he can fuck right off back to the Vayl. But my talk with Xera made one thing clear: this isn’t up for negotiation. I don’t know how to kill a Divine any more than I know how to kill a fucking Demon.

“Who knows,” he goes on. “Maybe you’ll get something out of it in the end.”

My brows knit together. “And what’s that?”

“Her. Without anyone contesting it. Not even the Gods themselves.” He turns back to Xera, and when I follow his gaze, I see her standing. She shifts toward me, her face unreadable except for the quiet weight behind her eyes— solemn, resolved .

Something tightens in my chest.

Alaric continues, “Having a child both in the Vayl and the Beyond, could give her control for once.”

Mister jumps to her shoulder, resting across it with his tail curling around her neck. Her bright silver eyes coming to lock directly onto mine.

“Then, having her here, the catalyst between worlds…” He circles me, his shoulder brushing against mine as he puts his back to my girl. “She will truly have everyone by the balls, and with that grip, she can send a message no one will forget.”

“And that message would be?” Color me stupid, but I can’t see what that would do but create war that mortals wouldn’t survive.

“Revenge is a bitch, and her name is Xeraphine.”

He then steps away from me, and for the first time ever, I agree with him.

I turn my attention to my girl just as she walks up, arms crossed over her chest. She definitely heard what we were talking about. I can feel the heat of her stare burning into the back of the Fallen’s head, her gaze sharp and unwavering.

“Why did we stop here?” Sydni asks, moving quickly over to Xera and standing beside her. “Change in the plan?”

“No ,” Mister says. “Everyone will need to feed from Xeraphine.”

Xera pops out her hip and rests her hand onto it. “We couldn’t do it in the hotel, we saw where that got us last time, Princess.”

Sydni’s cheeks flush with a bright pink.

“Even me…?” I’m not entirely surprised at the shock that lines Niyla’s tone. Her eyes flick to me for a brief moment, full of questions, before they drop to Mister.

He is filling in everyone on the details for Xera, which I cannot help but find endearing in some way.

“Kayn’s connections say that Tali isn’t in Sidence right now, however, the plan is to draw her there.

Xeraphine’s blood should give you all a…

boost. It won’t be much, considering you haven’t fed like Kairhyse has on her, but it will be enough to accelerate your healing if you are injured. ”

“Do I get a taste?” Kayn says through a chuckle.

Xera grumbles. “You don’t need it, old shit.”

“Brice and Alaric, you as well.”

The Werewolf laughs, a hearty, loud one. “That isn’t happening.”

“Her blood doesn’t work like that with my kind.” Alaric also isn’t on board with the idea.

Mister clears his throat, and I can’t believe a cat just did that. “It will also counteract if Tali gets her hands on you and attempts to influence your actions.”

Xera has her eyes trained down at Mister, not looking at any of them.

“Sydni, you first.”

Xera rolls up her sleeve and shoves her wrist at her best friend. Sydni looks at me, almost as if confirming with me that it’s alright. I simply nod, because if my little demon says to do it, then they shall.

Then, as though lining up for their plate at dinner time, Sydni feeds, taking three large gulps, then Niyla.

“Brice.” Mister calls for the man who has a full set of combat clothes on. He looks straight out of a military magazine.

He growls and it’s only when Sydni edges him over, does he finally move to Xera. He towers over her, and grabs onto her forearm, squeezing so that her blood pours from her wrist. He draws his tongue across it, coating it in the crimson liquid, before dropping her and walking away.

Alaric doesn’t wait to be commanded. “I don’t think it will counteract Tali for me in the same way, Mister.” He goes to grab Xeraphine’s wrist, but she withdraws it. She lifts her opposite arm, and cuts herself open with her nail before jetting it up toward his face.

“Take more than Brice did,” she commands.

The Fallen sighs, and wraps his lips around her wrist. I hate seeing him touch her, and I just know that feeling will never go away. If it weren’t for the bored expression on her face, I’d likely not be capable of standing here watching.

I don’t like anyone touching her. Fucking sue me. Brice pissed me off equally, and so did Niyla. Sydni… well, she’s fine.

Once he steps away, I move to her side and grab her around her waist, pulling her roughly to my side. She puts her hand onto my back and leans her head to the curve of my chest. I’m not entirely sure what I’m expecting, but silence isn’t it.

Mister crosses over to my shoulder where he sits.

His front paws situate between his back ones, perfectly balancing himself as though I’m a damn tree branch.

“Sidence Tower is heavily guarded, but that is where Lars is.” His tail smacks my face, and I narrow my gaze at him. “ Main objective, don’t die.”

I told Xera about the butt plug, I’m sure he isn’t super happy with me right now.

He then addresses Sydni, “You stick right to Kayn’s side. He is to keep you safe.”

“I don’t even understand why she’s coming,” Niyla says, no hint of anything but a genuine statement.

“It’s the safest place.” Xera finally speaks. “She has to stay with us— with me —because Tali knows what will hurt me. She knows Sydni’s significance to me, and since she can’t kill Kai, she’ll go after her.”

Niyla hums. “That makes sense…”

“This isn’t some fucking movie; not some stupid detective cartoon show where we split up .

We stick together.” I now understand why Mister had done all the talking up until this point.

Her nerves are spilling through her words.

“I’ll drop everything to get to Sydni, but I can’t do that when we are states away! ”

I squeeze her as her voice elevates. It has her taking in a shaky breath, and turning completely to hide her face. Her soft mumble of, “What a stupid fucking thing to say” is covered by Mister saying, “Sydni is your guys’ priority. Kill anyone and everyone ? —”

“There will be innocent people in the city,” Syd cuts in. “What… what do we do about them?”

“Kill them too…” Xera mumbles, and while I know Sydni can hear her, she doesn’t react or say anything. She just looks at Mister, to me, then back at the feline.

“Once we begin, people will scatter. Casualties are going to happen, Sydni.”

“Can’t we send, I don’t know, an underground message for people?”

Niyla moves to her side, placing her hand onto her shoulder and giving her a weary smile. “We risk Lars also getting it, and that’s not ideal, he’d be gone before we got there. Even if he knows the moment we get into downtown Sidence, he won’t have enough time to run.”

Brice moves to Sydni’s other side, and for a moment, as I look at the three of them, I can’t help but wonder if it’s not just the Werewolf who’s found himself attached to my butterfly.

At least they will do whatever it takes to keep her safe. I know this wasn’t an easy decision for Xeraphine. Bringing Sydni anywhere near this much bloodshed is going to change her princess. Honestly, it’s going to change all of us.

I release a breath before leaning my head down and kissing the top of Xera’s head.

“Let’s go.” It’s like I can collectively hear everyone’s heart skip.

My girl then lifts her head up, staring right up into my eyes, with so many words written in them.

I give her a smile. “Just another night, little demon.”

Her chest expands as she takes a deep breath. “Right. Just another night on the town.”

Xera has her arms tightly wrapped around my waist as we speed through the eastern entrance into Sidence.

The revving of three other motorcycles beside us is our only audible company, aside from the uncomfortable growl of Mister.

Guess he’s never ridden on a bike before, so I suppose I can’t blame him for being agitated.

She taps softly on my stomach, signaling me to slow down. One of her arms releases me, and that’s the sign for the group to pull back.

We turn down the main thoroughfare, and I’m reminded of what it’s like to be in a big city, especially on a Friday night. It’s packed with people—busy, alive. It’s been months since I’ve seen this kind of crowd.

From our intel, during the week, Lars keeps the streets blocked and the security tight. He only loosens his grip on the weekends, probably thinking we wouldn’t dare try anything with so many civilians around.

Little does he know, my little demon couldn’t care less .

“Kai,” she calls to me and I lean back, turning my head slightly. “I love you, don’t do anything reckless or I’ll fuck your ass.”

I snort, and even Mister laughs.

“Love you too, little demon. Guess I promise to be on my best behavior. ”

We weave past cars idling at a red light, blasting through the intersection. The bright lights of the high-rise buildings make the scene feel less intimidating, but I can already sense what's coming.

“Boring. How I would enjoy seeing such a sight.”

I roll my eyes, as though either of them can see it, and turn back around.

“You will be locked out of the room, or house completely, when we do any such thing.”

“I will just see through her eyes.”

“You know, maybe I will let you watch. Traumatizing a cat with how I fuck my?—”

“Enough.” Her loud groan makes me smile, even as nerves continue to race through my body. But I can’t help appreciating the banter between us.

Then, I feel a tugging sensation up my leather jacket, and I know it’s time.

Mister curls around my neck tightly, and Xera releases me completely.

Our destination comes into view, the line of authorities already stationed on the sidewalk and the adjacent street proving how well our contacts were.

They are exactly where they said they’d be.

Xeraphine lifts her legs and, with surprising grace, stands on the back of the bike.

The scent of her blood hits me and my eyes hyper-focus.

“Kill them all.” Her words are laced with pure, unadulterated hate , and it sends a chill down my spine.

Just as we pass the final streetlight, Sidence Tower looms on our right. I’m no expert in riding, but I’ve got balance—thank the Gods—because Xera tosses herself off the moving motorcycle.

The Crimson Dawn blankets the street as I throw myself off the bike. I flip mid-air, landing on my feet, instinctively reaching for Mister to make sure he didn’t tumble off. His claws are dug deep into my skin, and I’m not sure why I was worried—he wasn’t going anywhere.

My bike slams into a vehicle, and the explosion accompanies screams of pure terror. The place is stained red not just from Kayn’s Crimson Dawn, but also from Xeraphine drenching the area in blood. She stands in a grouping of authorities and civilians, holding a severed head in her grip.

This is it.

Here we go.