Page 78 of Demon Heart: The Complete Series

XAVIER

R oman’s head snapped back, his jaws spreading wide to the point of breaking.

“Roman!”

The butlers were in the room, making calls.

Roman’s eyes glazed over, a horrible gurgle rising from his throat.

“What is this? I… I…”

An insect crawled out of his mouth. A butterfly. Black and purple, covered in glitter, spreading its wings.

“Butterfly…” I said, staring at the creature.

It took off, exploding, multiplying. Glittering dust puffed from each manifesting a butterfly, the insects forming a vortex.

“No…”

Roman groaned, amber eyes returning to normal. Mouth closing. He smacked his lips, looking up at me.

“Xavier? What?—”

The vortex became aggressive, generating vicious wind in the conservatory.

“We have to run,” I told the witch, going to pick him up.

Butterfly stepped out of the vortex, smothered in that black-and-purple catsuit, purple hair billowing. “I do believe you have your vile spider hands on my chosen one.” He blew dust from his palm straight into my face.

My blood froze. I collapsed onto my back, unable to move.

“The time for games is over,” the demon announced.