The Sweetest Burn (Broken Destiny #2)(103)

"That means whatever happens to her happens to me, too," Adrian went on. Demetrius should know that, but he was taking no chances by guessing. "You might be a twisted, evil bastard, but I'm probably the closest you've ever come to truly loving someone. When Ivy was dying after wielding the staff, I almost died, too. Ivy recovered because she siphoned enough of my strength through our tie to survive."



       
         
       
        

"And you only had that strength because you are my son," Demetrius said, emphasizing those last two words, as if the truth wasn't enough on its own.

Adrian met his father's gaze without flinching. "Yes, and you want me to live. I won't, not with every demon and minion still topside gunning for Ivy. I know you aren't the only one who got out before the gateways closed, but remember this-if Ivy dies, then I die, too, whether by the power of the spear or by my own hand. I won't live without her. I refuse to."

"Ivy." For a moment, hatred blazed in Demetrius's gaze as he said her name. Then, it vanished and he shrugged as if he didn't care. "The other thing you get from your mother? Deplorable taste in lovers."

Adrian didn't crack a smile at Demetrius's backhanded insult to himself, although that was the closest he'd ever heard his father come to being self-deprecating.

"I can misdirect the other demons on this side from hunting Ivy down. As for the minions, I'm sure you can handle them on your own," Demetrius said. At Adrian's doubtful look, the demon waved a hand. "I'm not lying. Unlike the prior two weapons, I don't care if the little Davidian uses this one. Let her save some of the wretched meat bags trapped in the realms. She can't hurt my people with it, and they will eventually find a way to punch a hole though the walls and return on their own."

"But if Ivy uses the spearhead, it will kill her," Adrian said, hating himself but loving her enough to do this. "I've tried to convince her not to go after it, but I can't change her mind or stop her. As her abilities have grown, so has her need to save people. It's almost a compulsion now."

"Of course it is, it's her destiny," Demetrius said dismissively. Then he cocked his head, understanding dawning on his pale features. "But you don't want her to find the spearhead, let alone use it." A statement, not a question.

Adrian forced the single, damning word out between his gritted teeth. "Yes."

A slow smile spread across Demetrius's face, and it was filled with so much triumph that Adrian almost smashed the mirror right then. You're wrong, he thought savagely. I'm not doing this to betray her. I'm doing this to save her!

"Well, then, my son," Demetrius drawled. "It seems that we have a lot to talk about."