Unveiled: The Cursed Trilogy, Book Three by Betty Legend (recommended ebook reader txt) 📗

Throwing magic energy balls, one after another, I keep him distracted and bound as Phoenix, Cyrus, and Griffin rush to Emeric and Killian, using their magic to break the chains.

Helping to carry them, they hurry to reach me. The devil erupts from the pile of dirt, rocks, and roots, the earthly objects exploding into the air. A large rock nearly hits me, but instinctively I use my magic to block it, and the rock flies into the air, landing several feet away. Surprise sweeps over me at what I just did, what I’m capable of doing when using my magic together.

Demons come scurrying out of the depths of the cave, like a horde ready to tear into us. With every ounce of energy and part of my being, I unleash a rage of magic on the horde. Hands go to their throats while they lose their breaths, and blood seeps from their bodies in a massacre of demon bodies.

“Look out!” I scream at the guys as the devil charges toward them. Emeric outstretches his wings and rises in the air, shooting magic toward the devil as the others join him, releasing theirs.

The devil releases his own magic, and flames erupt in a treacherous circle around my guys. The devil turns to me, red fire in his deadly gaze.

“Join me, Selene, and I’ll let them live.”

Releasing my water magic, I add it to Griffin’s magic, dousing the flames encircling them.

“We can do this all night long! I’ll never join you!”

Charging at me, he grabs me before any of my guys or their magic can reach him. Wings burst forth from his back, black, massive, and dripping with fire. Lifting me in the air, he squeezes my throat as he slams me into the jagged wall. Scorching, foul breath spreads over my face as he seethes.

“Save them and join me, or all of you will die!”

Choking on air, I struggle to speak. “You… won’t… kill me. You… need me.”

Leaning in close, the devil licks my cheek, then smells my breath. Loosening his grip on my neck, he laughs, cruel and arrogantly.

“What a marvelous surprise.”

Turning toward my guys, his massive wings flap as he holds me hostage in front of him, keeping them and their magic at bay.

“I’ve decided not to kill you, after all. Not when you’re carrying the blood of my blood in your womb.”

My eyes widen and dart to Emeric’s beaten body. Landing on the ground, he comes nearer, extinguishing the magic in his hands as his head tilts. Lips curled, his eyes narrow in anger.

“You!” he growls. “You are my father?”

“Indeed, I am. My blood courses through your veins as much as your mother’s does.”

My men balance between shock and fear. Their gazes whip between us, unsure how to react, yet they keep their magic ready, swirling in their hands.

“All of you, control your magic, or I’ll snap her neck,” the devil snarls.

They lower their hands as the devil tightens his grip on my neck, and I choke for air.

“We’ll make a deal. A son for a son.”

The devil forcefully shoves me away, my body falling toward the rocks. Phoenix reaches me, catching me before my head smashes on the pointed rocks. As he loops his arms around me, I scream as the devil takes hold of Emeric, his leathery, large arm strangling his neck.

“A son for a son, Selene. That’s the deal. Give him to me if you ever want to see Emeric again.”

The earth opens beneath him, swallowing them both, leaving behind a blaze of fire.

“No!” My scream carries through the cave, fear and agony crushing me as I cry in Phoenix’s arms.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

EMERIC

Flames blaze around me in my cell of iron and bones, but the flames and confinement don’t bother me. It’s the company that is killing me.

“How long have you known?” I growl.

The devil sits on his throne, made of the same materials as my cell. We’re in a castle, likely at the center dimension of hell. It’s a castle with demon and ghoul servants—a castle of death and desperation. Everything is lavish in this square room, but the walls drip with blood. Screams can be heard from outside the walls, a continuous chorus of pain and suffering.

The devil leaves his throne, circling the cell like the predator he is.

“Since I smelled your blood on my demon brood. You must have fought hard. They were badly wounded. They were no longer of use to me, so I had to dispatch them.”

“That’s what every creature is to you,” I spit. “Something to be used for your own gain.”

Moving with rapid speed, his demonic face glares at me through the bars.

“You’re going to be here for six and a half months. Learn to speak to me with respect.”

Swiftly extending my arm through the bars, I grip his thick, leathery neck and squeeze.

“Selene won’t give up our child for me. I’ve already accepted that. You should too.”

Gripping my arm, he bends it backward, nearly breaking it, and I grimace.

“Your strength and magic are no match against mine.”

“You sure about that?” Rage burns through me, and I grab him by the back of his neck with my other hand, slamming his gnarly face into the bars.

A roar bellows from him. Opening the cell door with a wave of his hand, he enters and locks it behind him, fangs visible under his curled lip.

“You want a fight? I’ll give it to you.”

We circle each other, our wings expanded, flames dripping from his, fire in our hands.

“You attacked the woman I love! You murdered my mother!”

A deep guttural laugh rises from his chest.

“Your soul is tainted with Celestia’s blood.”

“Don’t you dare say her name!”

With rage fueling me, I fly up, kick off the cell wall, and slam my fist into the devil’s face. Stumbling back, he laughs aloud.

“Just like the witch, you have yet to learn your full powers.”

Fire emerges from our hands, our power exploding outward, the energy pushing and pulling at the other.

“You’re a coward who