Darkness Shines: Disgraced Series, #2

By Carly Marino

Coy, an Angel/Fallen hybrid, and her gang find themselves on Terminus, where demons lurk in the shadows, and the most terrifying Fallen rules. Despite the danger, leaving isn't an option. Terminus has the means to heal her adoptive father, and she'll do anything to save his life ... and Killian will do anything to protect her. Even use the Flaming Sword of Uriel to shatter the gate to Heaven and lead the Fallen into a battle they'll win.

An act that will destroy everything.

Torn between destiny and love, Coy and Killian must unravel the truth behind the prophecy before fate forces them to make a choice. Either join the darkness or fight against Lucifer's most vicious demons. The apocalypse rests their hands, and the hardest question lies in their hearts. At the end, will they stand with or against each other?

**Due to mature content, this book is intended for an Upper Young Adult audience—teens seventeen and older. Please note: subsequent books in this series may edge on New Adult appropriate subject matter**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Carly Marino
• Release date: Aug 27, 2019
• ISBN: 9781393763925

Book preview

Helpful Terms

Flesh-Eaters: Human souls tortured in hell, driven mad, and summoned to Earth to corrupt living humans.

Angel: Being of light living in Heaven

Fallen: An Angel that fell to Earth to become a powerful demon to destroy humanity and the Angels

Teraphim: Half Angel, half Fallen

Nephilim: Half Angel, half human—a child of the light

Phiam: Half Fallen, half human—a child of the dark

Haven: The headquarters for the Nephilim

Angelic Council: A group of Angels who oversee all of the lower ranked Angels

Lucifer: a Fallen Angel, trapped in hell, who wants to take over the angelic empire to control humans

Obyzouth: Fallen Angel of miscarriage

Lilith: Fallen Angel who leads the other Fallen. Lucifer’s right hand

Penemue: Fallen Angel of learning and written word

Daevite: Metal that kills Nephilim

Blessed Metal: Metal that kills demonic creatures

Elioud: Phiam/Nephilim hybrids

Holvite: Weapon made from holy water and daevite to kill and injure Teraphim

Amduscias: Fallen who’s voice drives humans mad and wilts fruit-bearing plants

Terminus: Island home for the Phiam

Light Shall Shine from Darkness…

Chapter One

Killian

The soft hum of the cooling jet engine and the smell of tropical flowers did little to ease the tension in my shoulders. We’d survived Haven. I’d snagged the sword of Uriel, and Coy was waiting for me on Terminus’s gorgeous shoreline. Chirping birds mixed with the sounds of the Phiam’s distance laughter and ocean waves.

Not an island in the world compared to the Devil’s Island.

But despite the beauty, Terminus brought back a childhood of shitty memories. Sweat beaded on my temples.

It’d been four years since I’d stepped onto Phiam training grounds. Brick-red sand, luscious plants, and deep blue waters were all laced with her blood. Lilith—Lucifer’s queen and my forever punishment. She lurked in everything, and whether she visited here or not, I still felt her. A chill swept up my spine.

Darkness soared overhead, and a prickle lifted the hairs on my arms. I raised my chin to the black frigate bird—one that humans described as an omen, a symbol of war. To me, the hovering creature stood for something much worse.

The frigate’s beady midnight eyes twitched, watching me. I glared at the bird and removed a blade from my chest scabbard. If my mother tried to come between Coy and me, I’d release my inner wrath and destroy her.

Tell the bitch I’m not ready, yet. I hurled the dagger, and the bird dissolved into a cloud of smoke.

A bitterness flooded my taste buds, and I slammed my fist into the side of the jet, denting the metal. I shouldn’t have brought Coy to Terminus. What the hell was wrong with me? Was the draw to my destiny that strong? Or was I afraid of what would’ve happened if I had taken her somewhere else? My gut twisted.

She would’ve left me.

She still might. Once she discovered I was Lilith’s son. I didn’t understand why she hadn’t asked about my mother. Aside from hers, there were only two other female Fallen, and one hid beneath the ocean, wrecking ships and drowning swimmers.

Maybe, Coy didn’t want to admit the thing I tried so hard to hide.

My true nature.

Eventually, Lilith would show Coy the creature she’d created. When she did, Coy’d run. Shit. I wouldn’t blame her.

I strode the red-dirt trail that connected the landing strip to the beach. Ironwood trees swayed in the humid breeze on either side of the path, creaking. Every shadow jolted my shoulders, waking my muscles, never allowing them to slacken. I’d do whatever I could to keep Coy safe. I needed to. Having her near me cooled the demon.

I banked on that to keep us alive.

I was a prisoner and would forever live under Lilith’s rule unless I used the sword to help her take the throne. Eventually, I’d have to face my fate. The question was: could I drag Coy into it? Change her views? All the things that made her different from me?

The wind ceased, birds silenced, and woodland creatures scattered. Sulfur stung my nose, and darkness rocked like a hurricane in my gut. The angel inside writhed, smothered by the overabundance of evil blood in my veins.

I blew out a breath. Here we go.

Trumpets played a sickening tune only I could hear. Trees trembled as if in fear of the approaching Fallen’s deadly voice. Rust-colored sand swirled toward the beach, and I backed away as a figure formed in the cloud of dust.

Hooves first followed by haunches, back, and neck, a horse materialized. A single silver horn protruded from his forehead. When the dirt settled, Amduscias—the Fallen Angel whose voice drove humans mad and wilted fruit-bearing plants—loomed before me. His lips vibrated with his exhalation.

I shook my head at the Fallen disguised as a unicorn. His silky black mane glistened in the sun, and his ocean-blue eyes glinted. Corrupting humans was much easier as a symbol of purity versus one of hellfire.

I swiveled my weapons’ belt to conceal The Flaming Sword of Uriel’s hilt behind my back. Amduscias. What brings you to Terminus? Tired of sliding down rainbows?

Amduscias stomped the ground with his mighty front hooves. I groaned at his silent demand. I’d have to view him in his demonic form so he could speak to me. It was much easier talking to the ones with human bodies.

White light clouded my vision, and Amduscias shifted. His bones cracked, and his limbs contorted until he stood upright. Head of a unicorn, the physique of a man, Amduscias’s ash-covered body grew. Spikes thrust through his shoulders. The base of his horn dripped blood down his snout and around his twitchy eyes.

When his hooves separated to form claws and his body convulsed for the last time, he sneered, showing off his spiked brown teeth.

I cringed with disgust. I think you need to lay off the candy.

His horse lips twisted. Your mother sends her regards. With the sound of his voice, branches drooped. Thumps echoed through the forest as lilikoi and mangos rotted and fell from trees. She wishes she could’ve come herself. But Lucifer needs her in the Middle East. Humans. Always attempting peace.

What do you want? I just got here, and I’m not in the mood for this shit.

Amduscias snarled, towering over my six-four frame. I met his glare with a smirk, letting the asshole know he didn’t scare me.

Do you have the sword? His voice throbbed between my temples.

I leaned on a tree trunk and crossed my arms. If I told this bastard the truth, he’d run to Lilith. She’d already sent her frigate bird to spy on me. She knew I had landed. But maybe the bird hadn’t seen Coy or the sword, which would buy me some time to figure things out. Had to leave Haven before I could snag it. But don’t worry your pretty little horse head. I’ll go back there when I’m ready.

He inched closer. Lilith will not be happy.

Yeah, well, what else is new?

His foul breath puffed in my face, and my fists tightened at my sides.

Killian, we need the sword. If you don’t comply…

Amduscias’s eyelashes fluttered. He sucked in air through his flared nostrils. Dammit. Fallen were the only beings that could sense Teraphim. He knew I wasn’t the only one there.

He laughed, and although sunny and bright, the sky boomed with thunder. She’s here. I can practically taste her.

I don’t know what you’re talking about? I’d kept my voice as cool as I could.

His eyes flashed, and his head ticked from side-to-side. Are you protecting her?

I rubbed my forehead, having a hard time taking this unicorn-man seriously. Who exactly are you talking about? I think those trumpets that follow you around are screwing with your senses.

Smoke billowed from his nose. I command twenty-nine vicious and powerful Fallen Angels. Demons that will tear your head from your neck and devour you at my order. My senses are just fine. I assure you. Now, where is the girl!

Screw this guy if he thought I’d ever hand my girl over to him. The only asshole that’d touch her was me. Sorry, not gonna happen.

Amduscias snatched at my throat. I caught his wrist. His pasty flesh ignited into flames that swallowed my hand. I retracted and slammed a foot into his knee.

He buckled. His joints twisted as he tried to slink into his more powerful animal form.

I gripped his neck and squeezed. His Adam’s apple vibrated beneath my palm, and his eyes glowed ruby. His horn hummed as he drew electricity to the sharp point. If he opened his mouth and released his fury, he’d create a hellstorm that would deafen and zap the shit out of me.

I shoved him. His body spasmed until the magnificent creature stomped the ground once more. He lifted on his hind legs and shrieked—a sound so ear-piercing I covered my ears.

Sparks circled his horn as he geared up to fire a lightning bolt. He huffed and scraped the dirt with his front hoof.

I held up my hand. Down, boy. Why don’t you morph back, and we can work something out.

His steps created drumbeats on the dirt. He was summoning his buddies. The last thing I needed was twenty-nine low-ranked Fallen creating havoc in this place. Coy’d leave me for sure. She’d have to, or they’d kill her and her loved ones.

I’d only decapitated two Fallen. They fought dirty, had the strength of fifty men, and the agility to match. Fallen killed with no conscience.

I trailed my side until my fingers wrapped around the sword of Uriel’s warm, silver hilt. Power surged up my arm as I unhooked it. I waved the sword, the blade ejected and lit with cobalt and orange flames.

Amduscias stepped backward. The fire in his eyes faded to ocean blue as his shoulders bent, snapped, and convulsed. The rest of his body followed. He knelt before me in his true form, fear flickering in his tense face.

My jaw hung. I’d never seen a Fallen react this way to anything—not even my mother.

He scrambled, digging his claw-like feet in the dirt as he scooted. Killian … is that?

My daddy’s sword? Yup.

I pressed the blade to his throat.

His leathery skin singed, and a whimper escaped his rancid smelling mouth. Don’t do it. Please. I won’t tell Lilith.

Too late. Inside, my demon and angel sides finally agreed on something, a rare occurrence. Both itched with the desire to decapitate him.

He gnashed his teeth. The girl is our only salvation. You can’t hide her forever. We won’t stop. If you want to keep her alive, you’ll follow through with your allegiance.

Waves of white light rippled through him. He was dematerializing. If he told Lilith about Coy, she’d come to the island and destroy everything. I had to keep Coy a secret until I figured out what to do with the sword, and where I stood in all of this.

I spun and sliced the blade through his neck. His horse head rolled across the red sand, and his body burst into flames, drawing him back to Hell and trapping him for eternity with Lucifer.

As he burned, blood seeped from his neck wound and oozed into rivers on the ground. They slithered toward my feet. Lilith and Lucifer’s blood coursed through the veins of every Fallen, and I attracted their liquid fire. My heart pummeled my ribcage as the blood rose from the dirt in clouds of red smoke. It swirled around me and struck my eyes like a hot match. I growled in pain and dropped the sword to press on my eyelids.

My muscles relaxed as my demon side engulfed my light. The churning of my soul forced my feet to stumble. Anger vibrated inside, and I yearned to kill again.

I wouldn’t let this consume me.

I braced my hands on a tree, and to keep myself grounded, I thought of Coy. The feel of her lips on mine. Her silver eyes and sexy smile. The way her dark hair framed her heart-shaped face. The curve of her hips. And … her laughter. Her caring heart and the way mine flipped being next to her.

Although struggling, angelic-light cooled the raging heat, and my shoulders loosened.

The sword purred from the sand. I scooped the hilt. The blade extinguished at my will, and I reattached it to my belt. With a deep breath, I rolled both hands over my head. What was I going to do? I’d always had a plan. A purpose. But with Coy here...

I was torn between my destiny and her.

The unicorn might’ve been a Duke in Hell, but he paled in comparison to the Archdemons Lilith could’ve sent. Lucifer worked through her, and she led the most ruthless of the Fallen.

I shoved off the ironwood, and the bark splintered. Birds scattered to escape as the branches crashed to the forest bed.

If I weren’t selfish, I’d grab a pilot for the jet and send Coy and her friends somewhere else. But the thought of losing her ripped my throat and gave my chest a sickening hollow sensation. Reactions that still confused me.

Keeping her here could alter her light forever. Did I want that for her? Did I want her involved in the Fallen’s game?

Amduscias was right. They wouldn’t stop until I followed through. I had an obligation, and coming back to Terminus made me realize, I’d have to fight Hell to prevent my destiny.

Chapter Two

Coy

Beautiful only skimmed the surface of the island. Rays of sunshine beamed on my skin, and I breathed in the fresh scent of seaweed. My eyelids drifted closed. The trees shushed in the gentle wind, relaxing my muscles with each whisper. Gray skies for so long made me forget how much I’d missed the warmth. Never in my craziest nightmares would I have predicted Terminus was built on an island, and the Phiam inhabited paradise.

I should’ve enjoyed the serenity. My friends and I had gotten out of Haven, and everyone I loved had survived. But I couldn’t shake the tingles running up my spine and the quiver in my stomach.

Killian might’ve claimed we’d be safe in Terminus, but something still didn’t feel right about this place.

Born of both an Angel and a Fallen—a Teraphim like Killian—I had conflicting reactions around good and evil. Right now, my angel/demon radar was all over the place.

I didn’t get it.

Regardless, my defenses would stay up until my family was truly out of harm’s way. I wouldn’t make the same mistakes I had in Haven.

We’d stayed too long at the Nephilim’s palace. I’d hoped that being born half angel, like them, they would’ve accepted me. I believed in the cure Theon offered. I’d never been so wrong.

I dug my combat boot heels into the sand. By allowing the Nephilim’s head honcho to experiment on me, I’d almost gotten us killed. Now, he had a weapon to kill me and the determination to do it. Goosebumps rose on my arms.

After I’d left the jet from Haven, I’d stood on this beach for over an hour, gazing out at the water. In the distance, a faint outline of land rose above the horizon.

I sat, adjusted the daggers strapped to my outer thighs, and propped myself on the palms of my hands. The cobalt ocean waves rolled over the brick-red sand, and the salty breeze blew my dark hair behind my shoulders.

Deep breaths. Control. Light over dark.

A rustle stiffened my shoulders. Phiam lived on the island, and Fallen visited.

I readied myself.

The figure emerged, and my body relaxed at the sight of Killian’s handsome face.

The island suited him. The blue water enhanced his sapphire eyes. Unruly, black hair glistened in the sunlight and brushed his forehead in the humid breeze. He was beyond gorgeous. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume he was an Angel.

His gaze met mine, sending sweet shivers in my body.

Enjoying the view? The gravel and sexiness of his deep voice brought a flutter to my heart.

My cheeks heated. Trying to. I’m still a little on edge. But, you were right. Terminus is incredible. If it’s as safe as you say it is, I wish I’d come here sooner. Guilt tugged on my gut as the Nephilim’s mangled body flashed through my mind. I’d give anything to go back to that moment. Maybe I wouldn’t have killed that Nephilim guy in Boston. Haven wouldn’t have captured us, and Jeremiah wouldn’t be sick from a deadly poison. My heart pounded at the thought of the man who raised me, dying.

The doctors will do a bunch of tests. We have plenty of time before his next shot.

I growled. How could the Nephilim do this to him?

Killian shrugged. Nephs are assholes.

After spending time with Theon and Mele, I’m starting to think you’re partly right. I angled my gaze to him. Sorry. I know she’s like your sister.

Killian’s usual carefree expression tensed, appearing hesitant or concerned. Unease bled into his eyes, and he looked away.

What is it? I had a feeling I wasn’t going to like the answer.

Under knitted eyebrows, he stared at the ocean. It’s about Mele.

What about her?

She’s supposed to meet me here.

My breathing shallowed. I stood and brushed the sand from my pants. Was he kidding? After what she did to us, he asked her to meet him here? What? Why?

I told you why. He rubbed his temples. I’ve always taken care of her. Just like you’ve always cared for your Neph friends. He slid a tendril of hair from my cheek, his warmth lingering behind. She’s the reason Jeremiah has the shots.

I removed his hand from my face and walked to the shoreline.

The sea foam rolled closer, kissing the toes of my boots. A knot formed in my stomach. Mele had locked me in a cell with a Fallen to keep me from Killian. What the hell would she do to me on her turf? I didn’t want to find out.

From somewhere behind us, laughter, clanking swords, and a subtle scent of blood mixed with brimstone infiltrated my heightened senses.

Sand prickled with Killian’s footsteps. I won’t send her away, and the last thing I want is for you to leave. But if you want to … I can have another jet here in a few days to take you wherever.

I linked with his eyes, full of optimism. His hardened expression softened. I wanted to stay with him and lying to myself didn’t help. I’d grown to care for Killian. Plus, as the only other Teraphim, he understood me unlike anyone else, and he had answers. He knew more about the Fallen and the prophecy. Things I now needed to know to keep my family alive.

But I couldn’t risk their safety for my selfish desires. I cupped the side of his face. I hope you’ll come with us. I also hoped he’d answer my question with an absolutely.

He frowned. Not good. I’ll make sure the doctors work double-time on Jeremiah’s antitoxin. In the meantime, I want you to feel comfortable. His lips slid to the side. You know, a few days might change your mind. Paradise with me … kinda hard to resist.

You really are a confident son of a bitch. I laughed. Literally.

He chuckled. I guess that’s a prerequisite of being Teraphim.

I can’t argue with that. I picked up a rock and flung it. The stone bounced once and then sunk. I retrieved another but had a similar result. I used to be great at skipping rocks. What the heck?

It’s the field. The rocks can’t penetrate it, he said.

I squinted at the invisible wall. Our plane did.

Yeah because you, Jeremiah, and I were on it. Plus, the plane’s coated in demonic blood.

Eww. I had no intention of asking how they’d doused the metal in blood. Gross. But I get it. If Nephilim found this place, they’d attack at full force, launching blessed weapons in all directions.

Yep. Killian rocked on the balls of his feet. You wanna go somewhere with me tonight?

Odd, out of nowhere question. Huh?

He slid his hand down my arm until his fingers cradled mine. Can you meet me on the beach after sunset?

Nervousness did not seem typical of Killian. I turned to hide the flush warming my cheeks. I want to, so very, very, bad, but I should spend time with Jeremiah.

I’m sure he’ll want to crash early. Please. The dimple on his cheek pinched in and brought warmth to my chest. I mean come on. He couldn’t flash the dimples and expect me to deny him.

I bit my lip. Fine.

Good. His eyes perked. C’mon. I’ll show you to your hut.

My hut?

Yeah. You got your own hut.

I need to check on Jeremiah first. I’d already dilly-dallied for too long on the beach.

He trudged up the sand. Tiny’s probably waiting for you. I’ll take you to Jeremiah after you get settled.

I rubbed my throat. Demi’s waiting for me?

As a Nephilim, Demitria grew up in Haven. The Imperious had warned her of the evil in Terminus, and I wasn’t looking forward to my best friend’s backlash. I scuffed my shoe before I followed Killian through the forest of ironwood trees lining the beach. Birds sang from the branches above, but I tuned them out to keep my hearing sharp.

We reached the edge of the woods, and I paused. The Phiam’s training grounds resembled a beach town more than the devil’s boot camp. Circular, grayish wooden huts with straw roofs surrounded a grassy field. Various stations were set up for weapons training and hand-to-hand combat.

Heat traveled from my core to my eyes as I drew on my gift of sight. Without human blood, Killian, Fallen, and I could see beings in their true form.

Like a hand sketching with charcoal on paper, each set of aura-like wings materialized. Most were black as night—the Phiam’s signature that fated them to the devil’s work and to eternity in hell. Some, however, had a few white or graying feathers, like Jeremiah’s.

Interesting. Phiam had the same anomaly as the Nephilim did. Not all of their wings were completely black or white.

Surrounding us, the Phiam sparred and sword fought. They didn’t have the Nephilim’s intensity and tittered between swings and dodges. They had … fun. I understand how the Phiam get lured into corrupting humans. Going from living on the streets to this would be hard to pass up. I observed a group of girls playing volleyball. Well, sort of. They tossed the ball into the air then another girl shot an arrow and deflated it. I’d smoke them at that game.

The crowd silenced, froze, and knelt, bowing their heads and murmuring in an unfamiliar language. A blonde woman with a fuchsia flower tucked behind her ear approached. Her pale green eyes steadied on my face, and I forced my attention to remain on hers. I refused to show them any signs of weakness or fear. Even if their behavior freaked me out.

In one hand, she held a glass of red liquid, a tiny yellow umbrella poking from the top. In the other, a lei of fragrant smelling, white flowers.

Killian shifted in front of me. No.

Her mane of blonde hair swayed with the tilt of her head. I was told to welcome all the guests with—

I said, no!

What was his problem? It’s all right. I reached to receive her gesture, but Killian ripped the lei from her hand and dumped the drink, the liquid blending with the red sand. With a flick of his wrist, the flowers ignited into silver flames, and ashes fell from his hand.

Whoa. He needed to lighten up.

The woman pursed her lips before she scurried amongst the bowing Phiam. They didn’t raise their heads to acknowledge us.

I looked at Killian. What’s up with them?

He ignored me and surveyed the crowd. I suggest you stay away from the Teraphim and her friends. Now, back to work.

The Phiam rose, and, after a few glances in my direction, returned to training and having fun.

I pried my stare from their curious ones. I hope you didn’t do that because you thought I’d overreact.

I didn't. I just want you to get a feel for this place on your own.

Flowers and fancy drinks won’t change my mind. Not completely anyway.

He touched my shoulder, urging me to follow. I'll remember that.

We weaved through chortling Phiam and ducked under weapons thrown playfully back and forth. Phiam paused to smile at me. Some even waved—such a difference from Haven where everyone hated and feared me.

Why are they acting like this? I asked.

Killian nodded at a teenage Phiam as he passed. The prophecy.

Oh, so they’re happy I set it in motion. Evil shall prevail when the blonde Teraphim kills a Nephilim and turns brunette. I rolled my eyes.

He scoffed. Not really. The prophecy predicts that the Teraphim will lead the Fallen into a battle against the Nephilim. It’s not that evil will win. It’s that they’ll finally be free. The Nephilim hunt them. They kill Phiam children just because they’re born half-Fallen. Phiam aren’t all bad, you know. Just … raised differently.

Huh. Sort of like him and me. Okay, fair enough. Except for one thing. You’re Teraphim too. Obviously, they know you are. Why are they all ‘chanty’ with me? The prophecy could mean you, instead. I mean, you did come first.

He sighed and his sapphire eyes dulled. I chose darkness a long time ago, and nothing’s happened. At least, not yet.

My chest tightened at the sadness in his voice. Was he upset about killing someone or that the prophecy hadn’t started after he had? Fearful of his answer, I didn’t want to ask. It might change the way I viewed him.

He stopped at a hut. A deck surrounded the wooden structure with a porch swing that overlooked the Phiam as they fought.

You gave me front-row seats to watch the Phiam take a beating? I asked.

A smug smile tilted his mouth. I figured the violence would get you going.

Two Phiam sparred behind us. One guy flipped the other over his shoulder, slamming him onto the dirt. A stirring awakened in my belly. I hated to admit he had a point. Well, maybe—

Demitria whipped open the front door and barreled down the stairs of the hut. The sparks of excitement in her eyes puzzled me. We were in Terminus. The place of every Nephilim’s nightmares. Great. They’d brainwashed her.

A grin stretched to the freckles on her cheekbones. Peachy undertones illuminated her turquoise eyes. Maybe they hadn’t. Sunshine after so many dreary days could brighten Hell on Earth. Even for a girl who spent the majority of her life fighting against the darkness.

Coy! She hugged me.

Killian cleared his throat, and Demitria let me go. Her gaze slanted in his direction, suspicious. After his full-out demon-induced killing spree, she would struggle to trust him again. I studied the reddish-brown scar circling her neck from the daevite collar. The mark would always burn, a constant reminder of what her Prime Imperious had done to her. Her kind had tied her up in a field of hungry Flesh-Eaters. They left her to die in the worst way.

Theon would pay for what he’d done to her. To all of us.

Killian jammed his hand into his pocket, head bowed. I’m going to change. I’ll see you tonight.

Okay. We hesitated, an awkwardness between us. We’d shared an amazing demon-provoking kiss, but I wasn’t sure what that meant. Weapons, fighting, running from evil, I could handle no problem. But guys … new territory. One thing I did know for certain: I wanted to learn more about him.

He twiddled a strand of my onyx-colored hair. And, you really should get your back checked out. Fighting might’ve opened some of your wounds.

Thanks. My lashing wounds had healed after my eyes blasted fire at the legionnaires in Haven’s blocks, saving Mele and me. Either my parent Angel had healed me, or my Fallen-mother had—though healing wasn’t exactly a demon’s MO. They preferred death over life.

Killian nodded and strolled through the crowd of Phiam. He kicked stones in the dirt until he disappeared into the trees. He seemed … dejected, which was weird considering the perfect weather and that I’d tagged along.

I braced myself for my bestie’s annoyance. No way was her happy-go-lucky attitude real.

Demitria tightened her icy-blonde ponytail. Terminus is different from what I expected.

Yeah. Different didn’t begin to cover it. On a scale of one to ten, how mad are you? If it’s a ten, give me a minute before you attack.

From behind her square, black-framed glasses, her turquoise eyes searched my face. "I’m not mad. A little worried. This is Terminus. But, everyone has been so nice. I don’t get it. I was angry, but for some reason, too calm to react."

I leaned on the wooden railing. That’s strange. How did Oliver take it? Is he locked up somewhere?

She giggled into her hands. No. Getting Jeremiah help was his primary concern. After, might be another story.

You saw Jeremiah? Is he okay? Is Ollie still with him, I asked, relieved Jeremiah had Oliver nearby.

I suppose so. He seemed great on the walk here. Oliver helped him the rest of the way. She climbed the stairs. You’ve got to see this place.

A shadow moved from the side of the porch, lifting the hair on my nape. I breathed in a distinct peachy scent. Not natural. Perfume or shampoo. Was someone spying on me? I inched closer.

Coy? You coming? Demitria waited on the porch.

My shoulders flinched. I sighed and entered the hut. Walls of white curtains replaced the wood on one side of the room and billowed in the breeze. Two, flawlessly-made queen beds gave the hut a luxury hotel appearance.

Demitria flicked a switch, and the fan above spun the humid air. "What do