All hope withered and died. Freedom had been too much to hope for. These powerful entities would never have let her go. Didn’t matter about contracts and rules. They made their own. And they cheated.
Maccus’s life had been hard enough. He deserved some peace. How much more death could he take before becoming the monster he feared lurked inside him?
Morrigan yanked the knife from her shoulder, ignoring the searing pain, flipped over the blade, and held it out handle first. “It’s okay. I’m ready to go.”
All three men stared at her as though she’d lost her mind. Maybe she had. But her resolve was unshakeable.
She placed her free hand against Maccus’s cheek. His skin was warm, the slight stubble on his jaw abraded her palm. “I’m out of the devil’s contract, so my soul should be safe, right?”
“Yes.” He took the blade. She squared her shoulders, ready to meet her fate. Instead of turning it on her, he tucked it back into its sheath.
Closing her eyes briefly, she swallowed hard. She didn’t want to die—had never really had a chance to live. But if she’d been willing to give her soul for her sister, a woman who’d betrayed her, how could she not be willing to give her life for the man she loved?
While he might be a fallen angel who’d spent time in Hell, an immortal assassin, one of the Forgotten Brotherhood, a man with a dark soul, he was also her love.
And he cared for her. If he didn’t, he could have ended it all with a blade to her heart, putting them both out of their misery.
Her entire body was one big ache. She was weary in mind, body, and soul. There was no other way out. Either she did something to stop things here and now or they’d torment Maccus for eternity. His soul was already teetering on the edge. How many more deaths before he fell?
If giving her life would save him, she’d do it.
Even though it hurt her to do it, she stepped away from Maccus. She would have given almost anything for one more kiss. “If both of you leave him alone for all eternity, cease all action against him, either direct or indirect, you can kill me.”
…
What the fuck was she doing? She was free. Her contract was null and void. Her father had seen to that. And that was one hell of a shocker.
He was still reeling from her offer. She’d given him the damn knife so he could kill her. And now this!
No one had ever offered to sacrifice themselves so he could live.
There’d never been a woman like her before and never would be again. He had to get her out of here.
Gabriel and Lucifer shared a look. Then the devil shrugged.
There was no warning, no more talking. Lucifer flung out a knife.
As if it was traveling in slow motion, Maccus saw the revolution of the blade. It would strike true. Like before, he wouldn’t make it in time to stop it.
He threw himself at Morrigan, arms extended. The heat from the blade scorched his outstretched fingers before it slammed home. This time it went straight in her heart.
Her entire body jerked. He saw the shock on her face, the realization of what was happening. Heard her cry of pain. Smelled the stench of her blood and sweat.
He caught her before she hit the ground.
Shockingly, she was still alive. “You’re going to be okay,” he promised. It was the first time in his entire existence he’d lied. With the devil’s blade in her heart, she was as good as dead. He couldn’t save her. Not this time.
“You tried.” Her voice was a mere whisper. Then she smiled.
He pushed her hair off her forehead. “Of course, I tried.” The pressure in his chest built and built until it seemed as though his entire body would burst.
“Love…” Her eyes drifted shut, and her head lolled back.
“No.” He kissed her forehead, her lips. “Don’t leave me.” The