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

relies on the magic and power of others. I don’t think you’re as strong as you want me to believe. I watched Selene fight you without difficulty.”

A burst of energy pushes through mine, slamming me into the cell wall. Coughing, I take several breaths and laugh. Now, I know how to get under his skin.

“Cowards prey on others because they’re weak. That’s what you are, a weak sack of shit who needs a witch to do magic for you because you’re not strong enough.”

Another burst of fire energy and my back hits the cell bars. Shaking it off, I laugh again.

“You know, I was a little shit when I was young, but mom didn’t have mercy. She ensured the devil in me didn’t turn me into a weak, pathetic asshole like you. She made me strong.”

Pulling the sword from its sheath, I fly up, the blade slicing across his arm as he tries to avoid it. The skin on his arm peels back, his mouth drooling as he growls and cowers from the blade.

“I had a feeling this blade was meant for you.”

An energy pull tugs at my hand, but I resist, my grip tight on the sword handle. The sword runes glow, and the pull of energy dissipates.

“Can’t take it from me, can you?” I laugh. “It’s an angel’s blade, only controlled by the blood of the angel who wielded it.” I hold the blade in front of me, the fire around us glinting off the shiny surface. “And I have my mother’s blood running through my veins.”

Smoke puffs out of his nostrils as they flare. Growling, he leaves the cell, slamming the door behind him. With a smirk, I watch his back as he storms out of the castle room.

“Bye, Dad.”

Selene

My fist pounds on Ancor’s door. Opening it, he ushers me inside.

“The devil took him! He took Emeric, the father of my child! Cataleya said I had to close all gateways, then bind him to hell. I failed! And now he has Emeric. He wants me to give him my son in exchange for Emeric’s life.” Dropping to my knees, my face falls into my hands as tears pour down my wrists and onto my chest.

Ancor’s hand breaks through the pain and agony like a bright light. My crushing guilt and fear subside. When I look up at him, he’s crying.

“Wha—”

“I’m taking your pain, fairy painter. You’ll need a clear mind for what’s coming next.”

Rising to my feet, I stare at him in shock as my breaths calm. Wiping away my tears, I watch as tears roll down his cheeks.

“How are you?”

“It’s a gift, one of many.”

“How do I fix this? Please, tell me what to do.”

Ancor gestures toward his old, wooden table. Taking a seat, I watch as he pours hot water into two mugs and adds tea.

“Nothing has changed. You still must close all gateways, then bind him to hell.” Ancor places a mug in front of me as he sits down.

“How do I get Emeric out of hell before all gateways are closed?”

“Emeric can travel through hell. He is the devil’s son.”

“Did you know, all this time, that Emeric is the devil’s son?”

Ancor wipes away the last of the tears on his cheek.

“I did, yes.”

“Why… why didn’t you tell me?”

“What will be, will be, fairy painter. There was no need for me to share that information. It would not change anything.”

Holding the warm mug between my hands, I bring it toward me.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t love Emeric any less. I would still love him for who he is, not who his father is.” Fresh tears pool in my eyes. Ancor reaches across the table and touches my arm, and the pain dissipates. “I don’t want to lose him, Ancor. I want him to know his son.”

“Then be strong and do what is necessary.” Ancor caresses my arm. “There isn’t a lot of time. You must move fast. Emeric is willing to die to stop the devil from coming for you and his son.”

Standing from the chair, I collect my strength.

“I won’t let him die, and I won’t let the devil win.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EMERIC

It’s hard to be sure, but I think it’s been two days. There isn’t a sun and moon cycle here in hell, but there is a feeding schedule. I’ve been given scraps of meat from I don’t know what. Too hungry to dwell on it, I’ve eaten to keep my strength up. Each time, a group of demons brought the meat and tossed it into the cell from what they assumed was a safe distance. It wasn’t. I fried those fuckers to ash… both times. If I’m going to die here, I might as well take down as many as I can. It sure has pissed off my father. I heard him roaring over the news the second time I killed his pet demons. He hasn’t been back to see me, and I know why, he’s afraid. What’s more dangerous than the spawn of an angel and the devil? Probably only Selene. I’ve thought of her with nearly every thought. My son is growing inside her belly. It hurts worse than anything I’ve suffered, not being able to be there to tell her how happy I am she’s given me such an amazing gift.

It’s excruciating knowing I won’t be there to see him born or to help raise him, but I know he’ll have a good life with Selene and the others. I have no doubt they’ll take great care of my son. I just wish he could know me as his father. All I ever wanted was a real family, someone to love me as much as I loved them and to raise a son of my own. Selene gave me all of that. Our time together was too short, but it was the best part of my life. I’ll cherish the memories until my dying day in hell.

“Missing your witch?”

Pushing off the dirty cell floor, I turn