Fiona's unapologetic, vicious insult turned Fred's face an ugly shade of purple. He barked an order. "Enough! Cedric, do it! Ivy is still waiting for you!"
Then he looked at Fiona, his eyes cold with greed. "As for you, save your excuses for hell. You can give them to Zane when you see him there!"
Fiona lowered her eyes and let out a faint, humorless laugh. Her hand drifted to the little snake coiled around her wrist. Jose's tail tightened once against her skin, a silent reassurance.
Conflict flickered in Cedric's eyes. Then he clenched his jaw. "Forgive me, Fiona!"
He drove the dagger straight for her heart.
But before the blade could sink into her chest, a sharp crack split the air. Cedric let out a muffled groan of pain.
In the next instant, Jose had shifted into human form, and
