Page 77 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

“Momma…” I couldn’t stop the soft word that slipped free from my mouth as I stared at her, wishing desperately for her eyes to come back to me. She was staring at the Drude though, her expression unreadable. But my father stepped forward at the sound of my voice.

“Are you really here? Justine?”

“I’m here,” I said, my heart lurching in my chest at the familiar voice. “I’m right here.”

Dad took another huge step forward, and the Drude’s hand snapped out, something cracked in the air, and suddenly my father was quite still. Only his eyes moved as he stared at me. I couldn’t even see his rapidly rising chest anymore. He was utterly still.

My already ragged temper was blistering. “What did you do to him?”

“Just holding him, Justine, while we talk about the terms of their release.”

I opened my mouth, shock rippling through me once again. This level of cruelty was so much. Nephesh was suddenly there, his hand low on my back.

“You’ve made your point, Drude. Let these people go. You have me.”

The Drude was silent. “Maybe that was one of the ideas, but now I want you all. It isn’t common anymore to have not just one witch, but two in your council. Aren’t I the lucky one?”

Two? Whatever. I didn’t care anymore. I wanted to know how to get them free. My entire focus was consumed with the idea that my parents were alive. They were alive and here. Right in front of me.

“What do you want?”

Nephesh’s hand stilled on my back, and suddenly the bond between us was glowing bright as he attempted to talk to me. But I didn’t want to hear it. It had been too long, and this had been too much. Everything I ever wanted, a second chance at a family… My family was staring right at me. I could almost feel the grip of my mother’s hug. Or the sweetness of my father’s contagious laugh.

“Join me.”

Panic raced down my spine, but I was talking before I could stop. “Join you? What does that mean?”

“Join us, to fight against the tyranny of the Underworld. I have someone here who can teach you. The things we can do together… Justine, they outnumber the stars.”

“And my parents, they will…” My gaze kept darting over to my parents, half-convinced that they couldn’t be real.

“They will be free to do whatever they want to do.”

“You promise. They can do whatever they want and no harm will come to them?”

“Justine, don’t.” Nephesh’s voice was a desperate whisper at my back.

The Drude’s voice was low, reassuring almost. “I promise.”

I closed my eyes, shutting down the bond in my chest after sending one last final, desperate plea to the demon behind me.

“I’m sorry…'' It felt like the entire room held its breath for a half second, and then the final word in my statement left my lips. “Nephesh.”

The Drude’s hand rose, snapping lightly, and before I knew it, I was on the other side of the bars, falling into my father’s arms as they closed around me. A second later, another impact at my back. My mother. We were together. Tears were streaming down my face, and while joy filled my chest as I let them run hands over my hair and face, maybe, just maybe, those tears were not only for what I had just gained.

But also for what I had just lost.

25

Nephesh

My mate was now completely enveloped in the arms of others. First of the human who appeared to be her father, then the second one, a human woman. Her mother. That distinctive strawberry-blonde hair was a giveaway of their shared genetics.

As for the rest of them, the soldiers remained still, their weapons still at the ready. They were waiting for me to react. I didn't, of course. But then, I wasn't sure what to react to.

She was gone. She had joined him, my family’s mortal enemy. And I couldn’t blame her. She was experiencing exactly the same situation I was. She was trading her soul to save her family. I was searching for mine to save my own.

The fates were an evil, manipulative bunch. If I was a betting male, I would put money on them cackling to themselves at this turn of events. In the week that I had known Justine, she made one thing abundantly clear: She had always been searching for her family. For her home.