Page 10 of House of Demons and Bones (Shades of Ruin and Magic #5)

9

Barbie

C ami stuck to me like glue. Not only had she and her friends crashed my lunch while everyone else waged their war of silence against me, but now she trailed me to afternoon class. This was someone who’d never have been caught dead in my social orbit before.

“You don’t need to babysit me, Princess,” I said. “Believe me, you won’t like it by the end of the day. Ask Prince Cade’s minions how fun it was during my time in the mage jail.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Who says I’m babysitting?”

I gestured at our group, Drusilla included. “Then what do you call this?”

Maybe she was taking over Rock’s guard duty, as I couldn’t feel his usual pulse at the edge of my radar today. But Cami was Killian’s cousin, royal blood and all. And since when did princesses guard commoners, especially ones almost convicted of murder? Then again, Prince Rowan had just tried to play bodyguard too.

“I can walk to class by myself,” I’d insisted, even when Sy begged me to let her man escort us so she could moon over him through my eyes like a lovesick fool. At one point, I swore that Rowan had spotted my eyes flickering golden—Sy’s signature color. His eyes had flashed silver in response. “I don’t need rumors about us, Sir Rowan. You get my drift?”

“Can’t say I do,” he’d said, but he’d conceded when I’d whispered to him that I would send Sy to him later for his booty call.

He’d still left his fae guards on my tail though.

“School’s boring,” Cami said. “Figured you’d have some action going on.”

I couldn’t shut her down like I’d done to Rowan, so I shrugged.

Our group traipsed through the north courtyard, past the five house sculptures standing sentinel around the ancient white tree. The demon house hadn’t been able to muscle its way into this spot yet, and I called that a small mercy.

“What’s going on with you and Prince Rowan?” Drusilla couldn’t resist asking. She’d known me longer than anyone, since back when she managed me at the House of Vampires as Louis’s PA. “He usually steers clear of you.”

Tell them to fuck off, Sy barked. He’s mine!

“Nothing’s going on,” I said, squinting at the shimmering “Pathfinder” letters swirling across the facade of the ebony dome.

Why was I still playing student while danger circled? I needed to talk to Killian. Just thinking of him made my body hum and my heart ache. A few hours apart and I missed him terribly already. Pretty pathetic how I envied Sy’s little reunion with her man just now.

Not just any man, she corrected. Mate!

Yet she’d also claimed to have a connection with both Silas and Louis. I shook my head. My own relationship was fucked up enough without diving into someone else’s shit.

The wind brushed my face before I registered the spark of the familiar bond. Pucker materialized in front of me a heartbeat later, huffing and brimming with energy. Had he fed from Killian? I’d warned him about divided loyalties.

Everyone except Cami and I jumped back with a yelp.

“Take cover! Incoming attack!” Bea shouted.

“It’s fine,” I said. “It’s just Pucker.”

Pucker twirled with a flourish and bowed to the group. “Ladies.”

“Is that the poltergeist from the House of Chaos?” Drusilla’s voice quivered.

Pucker dropped his smile, menace rolling off him. He hated to be called that.

“Pucker,” I warned before he could show my friends what a real poltergeist would do.

He resorted to shooting Drusilla a glare before turning to me with a solemn expression. “Barbie, we’ve got a situation.”

I gestured for him to get on with it and quit his usual dramatics.

“I spotted a Shrieker, Barbie,” he said. “I came to you right away, knowing that you’d be pissed otherwise. And no one in their right mind would piss off a godde—” He cut himself off at my warning glare. “Now I need to report to Prince Killian about the abomination. Direct orders. You aren’t my only boss, and serving two masters is not for the fainthearted.” He called over his shoulder as he shifted into his phantom form, “Don’t do anything reckless. Just wait for His Highness.”

Before I could stop him and ask more questions, he vanished. No point yanking the familiar bond and dragging him back now.

“You go ahead,” I told our group. “I’ll catch up.”

“Where are you going?” Cami demanded.

“I’ll return soon,” I said, waving them off, not wanting my friends in harm’s way.

“Wait,” Cami called.

I couldn’t wait. The bad news sliced through my veins like sharp ice. Urgency thrummed through me. This situation needed to be taken care of right away. I couldn’t afford to let a Shrieker breach our defenses.

I zoomed toward the Veil, mapping the route in my head—through the woods, past vampire territory, across the plains, and over the hills at the academy’s southern border.

Students swarmed toward the Pathfinder building by the hundreds, like a persuasion spell had rained down on them. The mass blocked my path.

I shoved through, but more filled the gaps.

Then Cami appeared beside me, with Bea and our group close behind.

“Let us help,” Cami said. “You aren’t alone.”

Her air magic burst forth, joined by Bea’s mage wind. Drusilla and the other chaos bride candidates added their currents too, shoving the crowd aside like parting waves.

I charged through the clearing with my friends on my heels, their magic speeding us toward the Veil.

As we crested the hill, the Veil’s shimmer flickered. Massive claws and a monstrous body fused with machine parts pushed through the passage.

Six Shriekers had breached the Veil.

My heart slammed against my ribs. One minute later and they’d have started their killing spree.

“Princess!” they shrieked at the sight of me.

Rage boiled in my veins as I eyed my prey. Two bore traces of my father’s blood; his stored supply of my blood must be running low. If Ruin used that blood to mass produce a Shrieker army, the realm would fall. Chills sank into my bones at the realization that my father’s work was nearly complete. The deadliest invasion in history loomed.

Sy! I summoned.

Roger! Her rage matched mine, her hate burning just as brightly.

Her power surged through my legs, and I ran.

“Barbie, slow down!” Bea called. “We do this together!”

“Stay where you are!” I shouted back. “Your weapons and magic don’t work on Shriekers.”

I launched toward the abominations, leaving my friends behind.

“I have a message from the master!” A female Shrieker opened its mouth.

“Keep your fucking message to yourself, or shove it up Ruin’s hole,” I snarled in the ancient godly tongue. The Shrieker’s grotesque face twisted in shock, as if it had actual feelings.

Spare me!

I opened my fist and summoned Deathsong. It materialized from the mist into my hand.

The evil blade giggled as my fingers curved around its hilt. Mistress, let’s ? —

I hurled it at the speaking Shrieker. The blade flipped end over end until its ebony tip found its mark between the monstrous yellow eyes.

The other Shriekers screamed. I hadn’t broken stride. With an extended fist, I yanked Deathsong free of the falling corpse and had the jeweled hilt in my palm without missing a beat.

Deathsong and I, becoming one, whirled through the Shriekers, unfazed by their siege. The evil blade gorged on my goddess energy. Like a violent twister, we sliced through the tentacles striking at us from every angle. Blood and gore drenched me.

I leapt and slashed through a trunk-sized tentacle like hard butter, twisted to dodge the rain of severed chunks—a feat impossible for most supernaturals—and landed on a male Shrieker’s machine shoulder.

Crouching on my ride, I sliced through more detestable tentacles and then sent Deathsong spinning again.

I’m dizzy , it complained before severing a Shrieker’s head.

Without waiting for its return, I channeled Sy’s transformation and buried our claws in the vulnerable spot between my mount’s eyes.

I’d taught the heirs and their warriors that the third eye space was the abominations’ weak point. Deathsong was the only weapon lethal to them. What the heirs didn’t know was that I could also kill Shriekers with my bare hands.

Claws, Sy corrected. My claws. She never let anyone steal her credit.

I had no time for a petty debate. And I didn’t worry about my friends seeing the claws, as their eyes couldn’t track my lightning-fast motions. Speed was my brand.

I yanked my claws free, and Deathsong returned to my palm. I launched again, changing lanes to land atop another Shrieker and strike.

When Cami led the group to the battlefield, only one Shrieker remained. She hurled air and fire magic at the abomination without hesitation. Despite her impressive power, her magic slid off the Shrieker like a sneeze. She blinked and tried again, anger fueling her. The others joined in, Bea’s potent spells included, but the Shrieker swatted their collective assaults aside, like throwing away children’s toys, before stomping toward them.

“Eat this!” Drusilla shouted, her dagger flying true, hitting the sweet spot between the Shrieker’s eyes. It bounced off harmlessly.

My friends stumbled back, fear sparking in their eyes.

“Send me your elemental magic,” I called. “Trust me. Now!”

They unleashed fire, wind, and spells. I scooped up their power, branded it with mine, and hurled our newly combined power at the last Shrieker. Flames engulfed it as it screeched.

My friends clapped their hands over their ears until the sound died away. They stared at me, stunned, seeing me in a new light. A strange glint lit Cami’s blue eyes as she considered me. Bea, however, puffed up her small chest in pride while at the same time something in her gaze hinted at unease.

We stood over the Shrieker corpses, their stench fouling the air.

“Ho-how did you fight like that?” Lola asked. She’d never seen me in action.

The others had witnessed my brawls, but none, not even Bea, had seen me wield a blade, let alone summon one from thin air. And Deathsong wasn’t just any blade. As the evilest weapon in existence, forged by my father, it would corrupt any mind except mine. I was its mistress, immune to its persuasion.

My friends shuddered as Deathsong brushed at their minds. It backed off at my scolding, and my friends’ unease faded.

“If you’d fought the way you fought those monsters,” Drusilla drawled, “no one would’ve stood a chance in the ring.”

Drusilla had been one of those who had entered the ring to beat me up, blaming me for injuring her prince. I’d let them vent and inflict violence on me due to my own guilt and grief. They didn’t know that I was the real danger. I could drain the realm, kill countless beings with a flick of my wrist. I always held back. Otherwise, I’d be just like my father.

I shrugged. “When I have to fight, I fight, but my beef isn’t with anyone here. I know it’s hard to believe, but I’m not competing for a bride spot. They’re stupid to come after me. I won’t kill vicious bride candidates who wish me harm if I don’t have to.” I toed a Shrieker’s head. “These abominations are a different story.”

They stared at me, finally seeing the pro killer in their midst. My face had gone cold while slaughtering the Shriekers.

I dropped the mask, cracked my knuckles, and grinned to lighten the mood.

“Feels good blowing off steam,” I said.

“Now I get why the heirs want you,” Drusilla said. “They like lethal things, and you’re as ruthless as them.”

“I’m nothing like them,” I said, then I froze, sensing the apex predator approaching.

“Let’s all go back to class,” Cami ordered. “I’ll report?—”

Thunder cut her off, rolling across the horizon. A heartbeat later, lightning rose behind the hill. Only one being commanded lightning like that.

Killian was coming.

My heart pounded erratically, blood racing in my veins. How would he react to seeing me? I hated to admit I’d never stopped wanting him, even with a broken heart.

Like a dark god, Killian appeared on the hilltop, his storm-blue eyes pinning me right away. Even with the distance between us, electricity crackled in the air. My body lit up and hummed, my need for him rising to a crescendo.

His gaze raked over me, checking for injuries before scanning the carnage of the battlefield—dead Shriekers everywhere. He bolted down the hill, moving so fast I could barely track him. The wake of his speed sent my golden curls dancing.

In moments, he stood two feet from me, visibly restraining himself from yanking me into his arms.

The others dropped into unified bows. “Your Highness.”

I stayed upright, as I bowed to no one, not even the God of Ruin himself. And I never begged, no matter how he inflicted pain on me and leached my life force.

Killian ignored them all and fixed his eyes solely on me. My pulse went haywire at his intensity and proximity, and I didn’t appreciate being affected like this in front of everyone.

“Barbie.” My name rolled off his tongue.

“My, look who decided to show up,” I drawled, going on the offensive and earning shocked gasps from everyone except Cami. “Late to the party, high sir, as usual.”

“Sorry I was late,” he said, his eyes sweeping over me again. Black blood stained my uniform; no avoiding that mess. “That blood isn’t yours. Are you hurt?”

“Everywhere,” I said sarcastically as I bounced between my feet, jittery energy coursing through me.

“Want me to make you feel better?” he purred, his lips quirking slightly.

Eva, Lola, and even Bea looked ready to pass out at the rare sight—a Killian smile, even a tiny one, was apparently enough to send them swooning.

Electricity rippled between us, the air thick with tension while everyone watched. Killian’s focus locked on me, and heat crept up my neck to my cheeks. Sy preened inside me, basking in the attention. My gaze held his—looking away would mean defeat, even if I was already regretting this staring match.

I’d always known he was stupidly gorgeous, but right now his presence hit a different level. His dark glory burned brighter than a supernova. The raw longing in those storm-blue eyes made my knees wobble. Every cell in my body screamed for me to throw myself at him, grab hold of him, and never let go.

But we couldn’t always get what we wanted, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to show vulnerability in front of everyone. I plastered on my best “fight me” expression, even with the significance of his being my true mate burning in my mind.

“Looks like you want to take a bite out of me,” he said.

“Don’t worry,” I said. “It won’t be a love bite.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, I instantly wanted to die, my face flaming. Killian’s smirk only made me scowl harder.

“You sure about that, little scorpion?” he purred.

My eyes widened as he dropped the endearment in front of everyone. What game was he playing? He was still engaged, at least as far as everyone else knew. If he thought he could openly treat me like his dirty little secret, he had another think coming.

I hissed, “You really know how to make a girl feel special.”

Sy dragged her claws across her face. You’re hopeless at flirting, Barbie. Let me coach you.

His smirk didn’t drop. “Did I make you feel special?”

I stared at him, stunned at his sheer nerve. Did he forget that we had an audience? Did he not care that gossip about us would sprint straight to his betrothed’s ears?

His betrothed. The thought tasted bitter. What was his plan there? And where did we go from here?

His face turned stoic as his men charged down the hill, Rock and Cassius in the lead. They surveyed the scene, the Silent Blade as cool as ever, while disappointment flickered across the werewolf’s face—he had shown up ready for a fight, but all he’d get was cleanup duty.

The warriors bowed to their prince. Cassius darted a glance at me, but Rock regarded the black blood on my uniform before zeroing in on Deathsong in my hand.

Deathsong perked up instantly at the attention.

Hello, werewolf, miss me? the evil blade chirped. Like an itch?

Rock’s eyes went wide at the voice in his head, but his fingers twitched with obvious want. The blade was pure evil, but it was one of a kind and dangerously seductive. I was one of the few immune to its twisted charm.

I shook my head at Rock, warning him not to engage with the evil blade. Deathsong snapped its attention to its next target.

Well, look who else is here, Deathsong purred. Another favorite, Mistress. It slithered right into Cassius’s head: Hello there, Silent Blade. I’m the evil blade.

Cassius gave my gore-covered blade a flat look before turning to study the stuttering Veil, just to show Deathsong that he had better things to do.

I dismissed my blade before it could run its mouth more. It vanished in a puff of mist, zipping back to its pocket realm.

“Something’s off,” Cassius said. “The sentinels were supposed to be patrolling this area, but it was left wide open.”

“It feels like someone wanted to draw Barbie out,” Rock added.

All eyes turned to me.

Killian’s expression went blank. “There’s a residual mental power here. Someone deliberately cracked the Veil to let these things through.” He gave Rock a look. “Get all the princes here, especially Cade. We need to reset the ward and find out who’s sabotaging us.”

My heart hammered. I’d felt that same mental power earlier, some spells designed to keep the sentinels from patrolling the Veil. My suspicion wheeled to Queen Lilith, not because I strongly disliked her or was even jealous of her, but because few supernaturals packed her kind of power.

“Barbie,” Killian called.

I held up a finger. “Can’t do Q&A right now. My stockings are soaked. I don’t want to catch a cold.”

His gaze instantly dipped to my legs as if he was mentally peeling off my leggings. Heat rushed through me, pooling low in my belly. Shit, these supernaturals could all smell arousal a mile away, but before anyone could catch a whiff, I bolted for the hill.

“Gotta run—shower time!” I yelled over my shoulder as I made my escape.

I wasn’t planning to show up for afternoon class as I sprinted in the direction of Underhill.