Chapter 42: The Ritual

Shade stood over Jade's unconscious body, his stomach twisting.

She looked fragile like this. Her skin too pale, her breaths too shallow.

Selene moved behind him, pressing against his back. "This isn't a miracle, Shade. It's an exchange."

Shade's jaw tightened. "Just do it."

Selene smirked. "Desperation looks good on you."

She pressed a blade into his palm. "You want to save her? Bleed for her."

Shade didn't hesitate.

He sliced his palm open, his blood dripping onto the altar where Jade lay.

Selene's voice was a whisper of something old. The candles flickered violently. The air shifted.

And then—

Jade gasped.

Her body jerked as the wound on her stomach closed.

Shade caught her before she fell, his hands gripping her tightly.

Jade's eyes fluttered open, her pupils dilated. She blinked up at him, confusion flickering across her face.

"…Shade?"

Shade exhaled sharply. "I'm here."

Jade frowned. "What… happened?"

Before he could answer—

Selene leaned in, whispering into Jade's ear.

"He saved you, darling. And now? He belongs to me."

Jade's breath hitched.

She turned to Shade. "Tell me she's lying."

Shade clenched his jaw.

Jade's face paled.

"Oh my God. What did you do?"

Selene smirked. "Oh, sweetheart. He did exactly what he was meant to."

Then she pressed a slow, lingering kiss to Shade's neck—just to prove her point.

Jade saw red.

Before Shade could stop her, she lunged at Selene, slamming her against the altar, a knife at her throat.

Selene laughed. "Oh, this is delicious."

Jade's hands shook. "I will end you."

Selene grinned. "But then who would explain what's happening to him?"

Jade hesitated.

Selene's eyes darkened. "Shade didn't just make a deal, darling. He made a sacrifice."

Jade turned to Shade, her voice tight. "What is she talking about?"

Shade's pulse pounded.

Because he could feel it.

Something inside him had changed.

Something worse than before.