Page 45 of Savage Blood (Den of Shadows #6)

Roxie remained silent and diverted her gaze to the books on the table.

“Just girl stuff.” Cyria winked and then strode toward the door, bringing her closer to us.

“Don’t forget to ask your father,” Ruin called. “You and Drogan owe me.”

She wiggled her fingers absentmindedly while those eerie blue eyes bored into me. “We keep our promises, Ruin. If something like that still exists, he would have it.”

“What are you talking about?” The tattoos on Fane’s arms twitched as he glared at Ruin. “What are you up to?”

Ruin flipped to another page. “I’m just working on a theory, Mav. You’ll know more when I do.”

A cool finger suddenly touched my chin, and Cyria turned my head toward her to study me. “Those relics from days past, the instruments of original demons, don’t accidentally fall into unsuspecting hands. They seek those worthy.”

Frigid tingles spread across my scalp at her words. Obviously, she was talking about the Infernal Sol. Thanks to Barric’s stunt at the club, word was spreading.

“Barric isn’t worthy,” I spat and shoved her hand off.

Slowly, her smile broadened. “I’m sure the amulet knows that.”

Once Cyria left, Ruin insisted on going to the kitchen for something to eat.

The thought of food had my stomach churning, and not just because of Cyria’s unsettling words.

Saint’s heartbroken image lingered on the edges of my mind, darkening my every thought.

Knives still pierced my lungs with each breath.

If Fane hadn’t received that alert, I would be balled up in a corner, crying. But as soon as things calmed down and I tried to close my eyes tonight, it would all come crashing in like a tidal wave to shatter every bone in my body and drown me.

And sweet, loving, kind Saint was out there alone, trying to outrun a broken heart.

Did he hate me now?

He should.

“I could have left,” Ruin told Fane as we stopped at the bottom of the staircase. “But I stayed to help my friends.”

Fane bared his teeth, gripped Ruin’s sweatshirt, and shoved him against the railing. “We’re not friends. And I could have killed you by now if not for your connection to Roxie.”

“But it’s my influence on Roxie to keep Hawk safe that’s really keeping me alive.” He shrugged. “I could change that if?—”

“If you finish that threat,” I interrupted, “I’ll kill you myself.”

The humor dropped from Ruin’s expression, his head bowing. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

Roxie marched past me, swaying her hips. “You’re not making me do anything, Ruin. I’m choosing to do this.”

Yeah, right.

Once we were in the kitchen, Ruin pulled items out of the giant stainless-steel fridge to make a sandwich, reminding me of the time he saved me from Princess Venna when I tried to escape.

He’d laid his charm on thick from the beginning, and I couldn’t help but fall for it.

“Barric is planning a big party,” Roxie said as she climbed onto an onyx stool at the island, resting her arms on the black marble, gold flecks shining under the chandelier.

“He’s inviting Collective members from all over the world to Karn’s manor to announce his mysterious plans to cleanse the bloodlines. ”

Like a sharp blade, fear sliced into me. If he was bold enough to announce it, he must be close to having enough power.

Ruin passed Roxie a bottle of water, his gaze exploring the demon tattoo he had branded on her wrist. “This is your chance to sneak in, Tate, completely undetected.”

Something dark flickered over his face—a fleeting look of utter possessiveness that made my pulse rise. Fane looked at me like that sometimes, when his beast held the reins or when another male lingered near me.

“According to Roxie, Barric fortified his wards after we escaped.” Ruin laid two pieces of honey wheat bread on a plate. “You can get inside the manor, but the magical safeguards will alert him.”

Roxie guzzled down the water and then wiped her mouth. “The Collective Nosterium only needs one more sacrifice, one more shifter heart, and they’ll have enough power to perform the Admordum Nexia Covenant.”

Frost crystallized over my heart, nearly stopping it as her words sank in. Like I’d thought, Barric was very close to having what he needed to wipe out a third of the shifter population.

“And then he’ll come for Tate.” Ruin’s hand shook as he used a butter knife to spread mustard on a piece of bread. “That ritual will kill her.”

“It’s super sad. Whatever.” Roxie rolled her eyes at the high demon’s visible worry for me and then reached into her boot, pulling out two decorative gold coins. “These are for you.”

I rounded the island to her side, plucked one from the counter, and examined the ancient sigils carved across each side of the coin. “What are these?”

“They’re Umbric tokens Roman enchanted,” Roxie said. “ Barric is sending them as invitations. They’ll allow the attendees to access Karn’s manor during the party.”

Fane closed the distance, warming my side. “Only two?”

The former raven sneered. “I could only steal two without Jax noticing. He’s been eyeing me a lot these last few days.”

“What about Hawk?” If this mission went sideways, I couldn’t leave him imprisoned in the Underworld.

Roxie rubbed the demon tattoo absentmindedly, dragging Ruin’s attention back to it. “While Barric is distracted at the party, I’ll get Hawk out.”

“How do we know this isn’t a trap?” My talons slid out and blended into the ebony marble counter as I leaned over Roxie. “I’ll be right where Barric needs me.”

“I’m handing you a way in to kill Barric and free Hawk. Once you do”—she jerked his chin toward Ruin—“he’ll let me go.”

If the possessive look Ruin sported a few minutes ago was any indication, I wasn’t so sure he would let Roxie go. Ever.

“I guess we’ll have to take what we can get,” Fane said, his pupils thinning as he glared at the raven. “But if it is a trap, be prepared to die, Roxie. I will find you anywhere.”