It was just us and the terrible, precious, impossible connection humming between my magic and his monster.
“Whatever happens,” I said quietly, “I’m not leaving you alone with this. Not by choice. Not to spare myself. Not to spare you. You don’t get to be the martyr here. If blood has to be paid, we’ll find a way to make sure it’s not the only currency.”
“Always so reasonable,” he said weakly. “You talk about blood prices like they’re an entry in a ledger.”
“I was raised by Victor,” I said. “He taught me to count costs. Now I’m just… adding curses to the column.”
He made a strangled sound.
I couldn’t tell if it was a laugh or a sob.
“Aria,” he said, my name breaking halfway through.
“Lucian,” I replied.
“I’m so f*****g scared,” he admitted.
Of the witch.
Of the curse.
Of losing c
