“Wow,” Dagan murmured. “I’m beginning to think our long-lost brother has a few screws loose.”
The incubus shook with unspent power, and his brows furrowed. “What?”
“Do you really think it’s fair to destroy a whole group of people just because of the actions of a few?” Rage looked pointedly at the disembodied Council members lining the field. “Wouldn’t that make us just like those three assholes out there?”
“I…” The incubus slowly shook his head. “What can I do? I’ve already traded my soul.”
Ouch. Lina didn’t even dare contemplate what that entailed, or what the consequences would be if he betrayed Belpheg.
“You can make a stand,” Rage said softly. “Isn’t that what you told me you wished you’d done as a child? Stand up for yourself, no matter the consequences? Be brave for once?”
From the way the incubus’ muscles tensed and his eyes shadowed over, Rage’s words had clearly struck a chord.
“I know this doesn’t feel right to you,” Rage continued. “I know you see the wrong in it. Because I sure as hell do.”
Belpheg’s voice was a low, rumbling growl that shot ribbons of energy throughout the vast field. “What sort of game are you playing at, vampire? Maddox has pledged himself to me. You cannot sever that bond. All you’ve done is ensure your death comes sooner and far more painfully than I’d originally intended.”
“Fucking awesome,” Rage drawled sarcastically.
“Yeah,” Lina said drily, “definitely missing a screw or two.”
Now…” Belpheg took an ominous step toward Rage, holding out his hand. “Toss me the scrolls.”
Rage’s hand began to shake, then his entire body. He let out a muffled whimper that made it clear whatever Belpheg was doing to him, it did not feel remotely good. But before he could do or say anything else, the incubus spoke up.
“Don’t do it.”
Startled, Lina turned her gaze back to the incubus.
“You’re right,” the incubus continued, his tone low and resigned. “Some things are worth dying for. Worth even the loss of your soul.”
Her breath caught as he suddenly doubled over, screaming in agony.
What the hell?
Lina exchanged a bewildered glance with Dagan.
“You think you’ll stop me?” Belpheg yelled, his face screwed up in rage. “You can’t stop me!”
The incubus visibly collected himself, shoving a fist in his mouth. He straightened and took a deep, shuddering breath. In a voice laced with pain, he said, “Wanna bet?”
Lina watched the scene unfold in amazement, barely able to believe her eyes when the incubus stumbled out of the circle.
Belpheg lunged forward, screaming, “No!”
A current of wild energy blasted out from the circle, knocking her and Dagan to the ground. She clapped her hands over her ears and protected her head, letting out a yell at the vicious thrum of power slamming through the field. It twisted her insides, wrenching her gut and making her feel like her brain was about to be sucked out through her nostrils.
A low clap of thunder sounded out, and then, with a pop, the world righted itself once more.
Oh my gods.
Panting for breath, Lina lifted her head. She sought Dagan’s gaze out. The wild, oh-shit-I-can’t-believe-it look in his eyes confirmed what she’d already suspected.
Belpheg’s circle of power had just been broken.
…
Belpheg watched in horror as the spirits of the Council members began to dissipate, one by one, their souls harmlessly returning to their bodies.
“No. No!”
Shattered, he could do no more than watch in hopeless fury as the three men responsible for his clan’s decimation disappeared from his view…and his reach.
This couldn’t be happening. It couldn’t.
Shaking with fury, Belpheg turned to Maddox. The damned incubus had betrayed him! The urge to strike him down was overwhelming. But if he killed the incubus now, he would have no twelfth, and absolutely no chance of reforming the circle.
He swiveled toward the treacherous vampire instead, but the man was already halfway across the field. Belpheg’s precious scrolls were clutched tightly in Rage’s hand as he raced toward the group of brothers he’d decided to aid.
“No!” He lifted a shaking finger, and a strong burst of energy shot from it—the remnants of the rapidly disintegrating power he’d gathered from the circle. The bolt flew straight toward the vampire’s neck with enough force to sever his head from his body.
At the last moment, one of the women who stood with the Detainors lifted her hand, and an answering bolt of energy stopped his blast.