That was when I noticed the other presence in the room.
The demons lying in wait.
I’d let my guard down, too consumed with thoughts of Valora to notice their appearance.
And when I spun around, it was too late.
A bullet sailed through the air.
Hitting me right between the eyes.
Val—
Darkness.
My body still hummed from the way Adrik had taken me all night, leaving me sore in a way I’d yet to experience. Usually, I ached from hours of torture. But this was different. Oh, Adrik hadn’t been gentle, and my muscles screamed at me for recovery, but his attentions had left me in a dreamlike state of pure bliss. So I didn’t mind the subtle ache between my thighs or the bite-shaped bruises on my flesh.
I felt alive.
Exuberant.
Like a new woman.
It was a strange thing to no longer fear my husband, but it provided me with a fresh perspective. My power was the key to defeating Necros, and while Adrik could access it, he chose not to abuse it. Instead, he wanted to work together, to rule together. I’d seen it in his mind, heard it in his words, and sensed it in his heart.
We would end this.
I slid from the bed and yawned, exhausted yet invigorated. My skin carried Adrik’s scent, comforting me and warming my insides. The entire room smelled of hours upon hours of fucking, blood dotted the tangled sheets, and ash covered the bed. I never thought I could be so wild, but now that I’d found the inner goddess hiding within me, I would never suppress her again.
Necros no longer controlled me in any way, and that included my body. All his years of torment and torture were about to backfire on him.
He would die. Perhaps even today.
I pulled the top cover over the bed to hide the soiled sheets. I would change them later, but first, I needed to dress and find Adrik. My heart yearned to be near him again, the vital organ wrapped in his dark shadows. I felt him with me as I showered the sex from my body, eased my aching muscles beneath the spray, and washed the ash—caused by my power—from my hair.
Bliss.
Happiness.
Rightness.
I searched through my wardrobe, looking for the right dress. Despite my pleasant mood, innocent women and children had died yesterday. Wearing color would be a disgrace to their memory. And Necros also preferred color.
Hmm, black it is, I thought, fondling the sable fabric of a gown. No jewels on the bodice. Just a simple crisscross pattern of black ribbons weaved around the front and back to hold me into the dress. It wasn’t easy to put on without a lady’s maid, but I managed it.
Oh, how I missed Zaya. How was she now? Recovering? Adrik told me Grigory had helped to heal her physical wounds by use of his blood, but I could only imagine her mental state. She’d shown a hint of it during the one and only call we’d shared since her departure. Maybe Adrik would allow me to call her again today.
Adrik, do you think I could speak to Zaya again later?
No answer.
I frowned. Adrik?
Silence.
Is this a joke? Because I didn’t find it very funny. He’d vowed to keep his mind open to me. Yet while I could feel him nearby, he remained decidedly closed off.
I scowled.