Midnight's End (The Raven Queen's Harem 6)

d a splatter of blood lands on the mat nearby. “Morgan obviously did not make it back over.”

“She specifically asked for one-way passage. I wasn’t sure if she got it for herself or one of you.”

“You knew she was planning on staying?” Sam asks.

“She was well aware of the sacrifice she’d have to make for your safe return.” He glances at the fights on the stage. “I hear you managed to bring back a cure.”

“It’s been delivered to the proper authorities,” Clinton declares. None of us plan to reveal the source of the cure. “But hopefully the spread will end when a vaccine is made and delivered.”

Admiration shines in the Shaman’s eyes. “Your girl is tough. Follows through. I’m impressed.”

“Well,” I say, crossing my arms. “She still needs our help.”

“Which is why you’re here.”

The buzzer for the fight sounds, thankfully, as one demon has decapitated the other and continued to bash her head on the blood-soaked mat. The fight isn’t real. It’s just a fantasy, but the result is still gruesome and will require a fair amount of cleanup before the next bout.

I turn back to the Shaman. “We’re here to make you an offer.”

The Shaman’s mouth twists with interest and he leans against the stage. “I’m listening.”

Clinton steps forward. “We’re looking to buy the Legion of Immortals. We have cash, jewelry, or gold. Whichever you prefer.”

Surprise flickers in his eyes. He waits a beat and strokes the small beard on his chin. “You know money doesn’t interest me.”

Damien sighs behind me. The money and gold was a wish—one we knew he wouldn’t take. “But you’re willing to sell their contract.”

“Sell isn’t the right word. I’ll offer their contracts up as winnings.”

I fight the urge to run. This man. Making a deal with him is like courting the devil. “What do you want? Another year of our service? Tack on another decade?”

“Let’s make this interesting. If you beat the Legion of Immortals in the ring, I’ll not only give you their contract but I’ll tear up yours as well.”

“And if we lose?” Clinton asks.

“I expand your contract for another fifty years.” He pauses. “And the girl, too.”

11

Morgan

Nevis asks no questions as we hurry down the hall. The dark hole in the pit of my stomach expands as we get further away from the Morrigan.

“What was that?” I ask in a shaky voice that matches the tremor in my hands. “I mean, I know. I’ve felt it before but from far away. But up close…”

She leans in, clasps my hands and whispers, “The Darkness in the Queen is unmatchable. It’s one of the reasons she needs to bond with you. Her body is wearing down, the power is taking a toll and unlike you, she doesn’t have a harem of extraordinary beings to help balance her.”

I don’t tell her what I’m thinking. How my body already craves another hit of that raw power. I feel the tickle in the back of my throat and the twitch on my skin. We reach Bunny’s door and she knocks, though I’m impatient and desperate enough that I would’ve barged right in.

There’s movement behind the door and I tap my feet. Unable to wait a moment longer, I push past Nevis and fling open the door, just in time to find Bunny covering a painting attached to the wall with his one good hand.

“Morgan?” He wipes his hands on his paint-stained clothing. Looking me over, he frowns. “What’s wrong?”

“Leave,” I direct Nevis. The words come out harsh, like my frayed nerves. “Wait outside, please.”

“Of course,” she replies and walks out the door. I close it behind her and twist the lock.

“What are you doing here?” he asks, but it’s clear he senses whatever is happening to me since the Morrigan shared her power.