Lethal Blow: (Succubus Hitwoman Book 2) by Eliza Hendrix (best motivational books to read TXT) 📗

I know that smell. She’s a Ukrisse demon, also known as a Morpher. So now the question is, who is she really? And is she even a she? This demon could be anyone or anything.

“You must be wondering who I am,” she says.

No shit, Batman.

“May I ask who you’re looking for?” she asks.

There’s a calmness to her that makes it impossible for me to stay angry. I’m tired, hungry—in more ways than one—and craving alcohol more than oxygen.

“I’m looking for the Black Widow,” I say.

She elevates her chin, almost inquisitively.

Okay, so this lady’s interested in what I have to say. Maybe I’m reaching the end of this dumbass trial at last. Why isn’t she responding? Is there another secret code I’m supposed to know about?

“I was sent by Veerka,” I add.

Her eyes widen slightly, which tells me she knows who Veerka is.

“Your friend is in danger,” she says.

“Veerka?” I say, clenching my fists. “What kind of danger?”

“Not Veerka,” she says. “The witch.”

Rachel? Is that who she’s talking about? First of all, we aren’t friends. But what’s she talking about? What’s going on with Rachel? My mouth goes dry and I take a step forward.

“What do you mean, she’s in danger?”

“The Zerachu you met isn’t who she says she is.”

You have got to be kidding me.

Is this some sick kind of joke? Like I already don’t have enough on my plate?

I part my lips to make a snarky comment when half her figure flickers as if on the verge of disappearing entirely.

“We’re running out of time,” she says. “Here, take this.”

With her arm straight out, she takes a step forward. I meet her halfway and open my palm. When she loosens her grasp, a silver ring with a finely carved red ruby falls out.

“What’s this?” I ask.

“It’s a communication device,” she says. “It’s also how other members of the Battalion will recognize you.”

What’s she talking about? I slide my thumb across the ring’s shiny, squared-off surface and raise it to my eye. It doesn’t look like it has any sort of camera or microphone in it. And I would know—that’s been my job for years. Have they gotten that good at concealing surveillance cameras since I last purchased my equipment?

“It’s magic,” she says plainly.

Now I feel like an idiot. Of course, it’s magic.

“Who’s the Battalion?” I ask.

“We are,” she says.

And then it hits me.

“You’re Devania,” I say.

She offers a hint of a smile—a look that says, You’re correct, but don’t get too excited yet.

Half of her silhouette flickers again, and this time, her left arm disappears entirely.

“What do I do with this?” I ask, slipping the Battalion ring onto my middle index finger.

She said something about people of the Battalion being able to recognize me, so I assume the ring’s got some sort of magical properties that allow it to become visible to those wearing a similar ring.

“If you need to speak with me, press your thumb over the ruby and call out my name three times. I will only appear if you truly need me.”

It’s like I’m in some twisted version of The Wizard of Oz. Then again, it shouldn’t surprise me. The number three is meaningful in the world of magic.

“Anyone wearing one belongs to the Battalion,” she continues. “They are your allies. And whatever you do—don’t lose the thing. It possesses magic powerful enough to destroy an entire city.”

It’s hard to imagine that a rebellion group leader would allow so many people to wear something this powerful. Then again, it’s obvious by the whole trial thing that they don’t want to let anyone into the group.

I guess I’m not so bad after all.

“These rings were forged from the same metals as the Heart of Danu,” she says.

Why does that sound so familiar? The Heart of Danu? Oh, shit. That’s the talisman Rachel was looking for—the one I found hidden in plain sight in the garden of one of my marks, Adam Shaw. I spent so many days binge drinking afterward that I almost forgot about it. Rachel wanted that thing, and I’d promised her I’d give it to her if she helped me find Veerka, which she did.

Devania’s talking about it like it’s one of the most powerful items in the world. For something to be forged of the same metal? Like it’s sacred, or something.

Is the talisman that powerful? Did I fuck up again by handing it over to a kid?

“Yeah, about that—” I say.

She flickers again, and this time, the corner of her lip and chin becomes invisible.

“Hurry, Alexis. Your friend needs you.”

“What about Veerka? And Lucius and the rest of the vampires? That’s why she sent me here.”

I don’t mean to come across as desperate, but the chick’s about to disappear and there’s no telling when I’ll get to talk to her again. She said I could touch the ring to call for her, but even then, she made it sound like it’s an emergency-only type of thing.

“Everything is connected, Alexis.” She turns her partial head sideways as if someone is moving toward her. With wide eyes, she looks at me again. “That’s all I can tell you right now. Go! Hurry!”

Chapter 14

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The next thing I know, I’m standing inside the staff room Peter the Ratiken led me through earlier. This time, however, something’s different. Although I know I was standing here before entering the trial, it doesn’t quite feel the same.

Goddamn it.

Did Devania somehow send me through to another dimension? A different version of our world? It wouldn’t be the first time this happened.

Where’s Peter? Where is everyone? My heartbeat quickens, and I rush out of the staff room.

The second I step out into the Red Lounge,