Prince of Fire Read Online Free PDF Page B

them in the world?
    As Ilda's blood and soul poured over his tongue, Ciro saw some of her past, felt many of her hopes and fears. She was a foolish girl, not terribly bright, who'd used her pretty face and convenient lies to get what she wanted. She'd never appreciated the simple pleasures of her life, but had constantly whined and complained and wished for that which was not hers.
    She would cherish her simple life if she had the chance to take it now, but that chance was gone.
    When Ilda's soul was entirely his, she stopped struggling. Ciro continued to feed, taking every drop of her blood into his body and luxuriating in the feeding. With every soul he took, he grew stronger. The Isen Demon grew stronger, and the demon worked—worked, saw, breathed, and lived—through him. With a new soul inside him, he felt invincible. There were those who would oppose him, he knew, but they were powerless to stop him.
    As he finished feeding, Ciro thought of Rayne. After their child was born, if she did not please him, he would dispose of her just this way. He would be able to take a pure soul by that time, and if he was not, then he would see that her soul was tainted. He didn't know how that could be accomplished, but it could be done, he was sure. Nothing could stand in the way of what he wanted; not anymore, not ever again.
    When Ciro was finished with the supper his soldiers had provided, he dropped the body at his feet. Two of his Own came to take it away, and he settled back with a sigh of contentment. Soon the Isen Demon would snatch away the soul for itself, but as he and the demon grew more connected, that emptiness did not come so quickly, nor last so long. There was very little of the man Ciro had been left in this body, and soon, very soon, even that would be gone, and all mat remained would be demon.
    The demon spoke to him. At the moment, they were both satisfied and hopeful. It was odd mat a demon could hold such hope, but Ciro felt it as surely as his own. The prince was not the demon's only general in this war. There were others who would gladly trade their souls for the power the Isen Demon promised. All was proceeding well. There were still obstacles, but at the moment those obstacles seemed insignificant.
    Ariana and her wizard and her army might try to stop them, but at the moment they felt entirely unstoppable.
    * * * * *
    The change was coming. Juliet could feel the call of the moon in her blood. In her very soul. She so loved these nights when she embraced the wild wolfen side of her nature and ran unfettered, with Ryn at her side. They had been traveling, living the life of a pair of rogues for many weeks now. She missed her children, and it was almost time to go home, but she did so love this time alone with her husband. It reminded her of their first days together.
    No one was about but Ryn, as she began to undress so as not to ruin yet another gown. There wasn't much to her frock, since the days were growing warm and she had no tolerance for the heat, but still, she liked tfus garment and did not want it to be ripped as she transformed.
    Here high in the mountains, far from everyone and everything, she had very few visions. In truth, her visions had been few and far between for months, no matter where she was. Perhaps it was simpjy a part of growing older, and she should be grateful. In an odd sort of way she missed the gift she had so often dismissed as unwanted.
    As she contemplated her changing powers, a voice— Keelia's voice—rang clearly in her head. I love you all.
    Juliet reached out and grasped Ryn's arm. It was already too late. Her husband was changing, and so was she. Before the form of wolf consumed her, she whispered hoarsely, in a voice that was not entirely her own, "Keelia is in trouble."
    * * * * *
    One flick of his wrist, and the Red Queen would be dead. She wasn't going to reverse the harm she had done. She wasn't even going to admit to her actions. So why should he keep her alive?
    She