Mathew burst through the front door of Samoan’s downtown apartment and flopped down on her sofa. She was there. He could sense her moving around in her bedroom.
Lying to her wasn’t a problem. Trying to hide his emotions would be. Samoan’s keen senses were better than anyone Matt knew. Plus, the demoness was smart. However, she would make a mistake. He was going to try and make sure she did tonight.
“How did your visit with your mommy go?”
He held in a growl and clenched his jaw. Breathe. Don’t show her emotion. “I came here to give you a heads up that they are planning a trap for you.”
She raised a brow as she advanced into the living room. “I’m listening.”
“I’m supposed to get you to Friendship Fountain, where they will be waiting for you with the Sinew.” Mathew yawned as if bored. Actually, he was scared to death.
“Hmm.” She sat in the chair across from him, crossed her legs, and bounced one of them vigorously. “Why should I believe you?”
He shrugged. “Don’t. I could care less. Desiree isn’t the loving mother I hoped she was.” On that statement, he allowed some of his emotions loose. “But you can head them off by catching them at the Divinity House. But I’d hurry. They’re getting ready to head to the fountain.”
She tapped her fingers on the chair arms and studied him for what seemed like ten minutes, maybe longer. Suddenly, she stood and left without a word.
Once he’d felt Samoan leave the building, he sent Desiree a telepathic message. “She bought it and is on her way.”
“Thank you,” Desiree replied. Her voice was sad and anxious at the same time. He closed his eyes. Spending the day and night with his new family had confused him. How was he supposed to act? Just accept them? He wasn’t sure who to trust. Even though he’d place his life in Desiree’s hands before Samoan’s any day.
The longing for a mother to hug him, love him, outweighed any common sense he may have. So he’d stick around Desiree for the time being.
He hoped she didn’t turn out to be another disappointment in his short life.
Desiree steeled her spine and met Lex’s gaze. “She’s coming.”
Khloe stormed by them with Jagger, Zach, and Lydia on her heels—all heading for the front door. “She’s here.”
Confused, Desiree glanced back to Lex. He gave a jerky nod. “The wards are linked to the Divinities, as well as Jag and me.”
He exited the house, and Desiree inhaled slowly, calling her power to the surface. On the exhale, she centered herself. A moment passed before she followed the others outside.
Dark energy flowed all around them. The hairs on her arms and the back of her neck stood on end as Samoan materialized a few yards from the house. The demoness laughed, the sound raking across Desiree’s skin. “I see the boy has chosen his side.”
Hot fear sliced across Desiree’s gut. Where was Mathew? As soon as the question formed in her mind, Mathew materialized beside her. Relief made her tense muscles relax, but only a little.
Movement from Samoan caught her full attention. The demoness raised her hand and tugged at a black cord around her neck. Once the stone was out from behind Samoan’s shirt, she yanked the cord free from her neck. Instantly, demons and Dark Divine appeared. There must have been several dozen—outnumbering the Divinities.
“Lex, I have a bad feeling.” Desiree fell into a defensive stance, waiting.
The wind whirled around them, stirring up the leaves. Black-and-blue-colored energy flowed from the stone Samoan held over her head.
“She’s calling a storm,” Lex yelled.
Zach grabbed Lydia’s hand and added, “It’s now or never.”
Combining their powers, Zach and Lydia shot a stream of bright white power straight at Samoan. The demon bitch screamed and fell to her knees. Beside Desiree, Mathew charged at the demoness.
“Matty!” Desiree shouted, but it was no use. Her son was already at Samoan’s side, his hand on her shoulder.
Samoan’s soul separated from her body, and once it was a few feet above her, Mathew blasted it, killing the demoness.
The stone she’d held disappeared as if called away. Fuck. “The stone. It must have been spelled to return to Kahn.”
Lex acknowledged the telepathic thought with a grunt. She didn’t have time to glance his way because a wall of demons rushed forward. She conjured a sword and fought with everything she had.
Suddenly, the ground shook, throwing everyone off balance. The Dark Divine all froze as if commanded to do so. The demons seemed confused, even though many of them continued to fight.
Desiree called to the spirits of each demon and sent them one lethal demand. A moment later, they all dropped, death by their own hands.
A cyclone of dark gray smoke swirled in the center of the yard. When the smoke cleared, Kahn stood there, chest rising and falling as he fumed in his rage. Samoan was his mate. And they’d killed her.
The demon lord held up the Dark Sinew, then let out a scream of pain and rage. Dark magic blasted out from around him, sending a wave of lethal power out across the yard. Desiree screamed as the bolt touched Lex. Their bond snapped, severing their connection. Tears streamed down her face.
Then Mathew yelled her name, flashed in front of her, and wrapped his arms around her. A moment later, she was standing outside the Maxville Coven gatehouse.
She stared at Mathew. “What happened?”
“I couldn’t save them all.” Tears rolled down his cheeks, and she hugged him close. Everyone was gone. The Divinities were dead.
A pull of magic had her whirling around to come face-to face with Noah. The tears in his eyes told her that he already knew. He took her hands. “You have to go back. Kill Kahn before he is able to break through the barrier.”
Desiree nodded. “Plan B.”
Her heart was breaking. Lex. Oh, gods. “We’ll fix it, bring them back.”
Noah pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I have faith that you will.”
Mathew took her hand, linking their fingers together. She glanced at him. “Do you know where to go?”
He nodded. “Yes, but we will only have minutes to kill him. Once Samoan dies, he will feel it.”
Yes, Desiree knew that firsthand. The moment Lex died, it had felt like her soul was being ripped in two. Her chest ached. She’d just found him. They were supposed to have a lifetime together. Determination fueled the fury brewing deep within.
Meeting her son’s stare, she said, “Then we have to make sure to kill him at the as soon as that bitch dies.”
He took her hand and nodded. “Let’s do it.”
So young, yet so old. Her heart broke again for the son she’d handed over to Samoan. He’d seen too much, knew too much for a ten-year-old.
Noah touched her shoulder, drawing her attention. “Changing a decision you made years ago won’t stop the war. Choices are made that take us on difficult paths, but in the end, we all end up where we need to be.”
Warmth bloomed in her heart. That was something her mother would say. Not those exact words, but the meaning would be the same. “Thank you for the reminder. We’ll end it now, and our loved ones will be safe.”
Taking a deep breath, she nodded to Mathew. The hum of his power vibrated from his hand to hers. Then it stopped. He glanced behind them just as Teddy-Bear appeared in a flash of soft white light.
The hounds smiled, and at the same time said, “Oh, good, we’re not too late. Hecate said you’d need some help. The Sinew will give us the boost we need to find and end Kahn.”
Around their necks hung the quarter-sized crystal sphere. Ribbons of multi-colored magic threads swirled inside it. The Sinew seemed to glow more than it had the last time Desiree had seen it.
Mathew waved his free hand in front of them. Shimmering to life, a portal appeared. “Here we go.”
Desiree was ready, even though she hadn’t a clue how they would kill Khan. I guess we’ll make it up as we go along.