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April 18 - April 22, 2025
The Horn of Hades is a key to locking the gates of Hell, but, according to it, what it really is, is two somethings.
The root of my power. Emilia and I, for reasons I am unsure of, have been wearing the devil’s horns our whole lives. So if that’s true, how did they find their way to us?
“Because if brought together, they not only have the ability to lock the gates, they can also summon him. They grant the summoner a certain bit of power over him.”
“Shadow witches are what demons call us. We are known as Stelle Streghe.”
My ghost demon was back, and it didn’t seem like just a figment of my imagination now. It had been quiet the last few days, and I’d forgotten it.
“Little tricksy witch.”
A window burst open, and I imagined the invisible demon fled through it.
Then I screamed until my voice broke, rousing the whole house from the spelled slumber Nonna had enchanted them with.
Very few antidotes exist if someone is bitten. And the ones that do exist aren’t to be taken lightly. There’s a cost for using them, like all magic.
litany. I couldn’t exactly remember his name at the moment, but I recalled he wasn’t normally prone to such outbursts.
“I’ll fix this. But you have to grant me permission. Do you?” I tried to nod, but could barely move.
Soft, gentle lips met mine. It was a whisper, a promise, an unbreakable vow. It shattered the pain and felt like home.
A metallic snake inked onto an arm banded around my body—not in possession, but solidarity. Like Wrath had followed me into my nightmare, battled Death, and dragged me out.
Demons screeching, claws scraping, an unfamiliar woman with midnight eyes and fire in her soul, cursing me.
Stranger still that he’d saved me. I wasn’t sure what that meant, if anything.
Despite his proclamation about not coming for me, he didn’t let me die.
I’d felt something last night, more intimate than if we’d shared a bed.
Only a few ancient rituals required bare skin contact—in essence, they were a rebirth of sorts.
“You kissed me.” He abruptly looked away. “Fever dreams have peculiar side effects.”
He’d looked so… betrayed.
Mostly because my thoughts kept returning to him—to the expression on his face. I’d hurt his feelings. And it… bothered me.
Thanking someone who saved your life by imprisoning them isn’t how things are done in my realm. There’s no denying you could stand to work on your manners.”
“An invisible demon attacked my grandmother yesterday. And before that, I think… I think it was stalking me.”
“It said, ‘he’s coming.’” Wrath paced around the bone circle. “Sounds like an Umbra demon. But for it to be here and speak to you… did it say anything else?”
The first time it said something about memories and hearts being stolen.”
transvenio
“You need to be more specific when asking to break the containment charm. And don’t forget to use my title. It is polite to do so.”
“If you value our new alliance, do not ever use that containment spell on me again, witch. Trust goes both ways. My patience grows weary.”
“Emilia Maria di Carlo, you have my word that I will not physically harm a witch, nor force her into a marriage with Pride.” He dragged the blade across his palm, and pressed his bleeding hand against his heart. “On honor of my crown and my blood, I vow that my current mission is to save souls, not take them.”
“You’ve got a bit more demon blood in you than other witches.”
“Good. Saves me from explaining how one of your ancestors had a fine romp with a demon, and produced an heir. Probably not so distantly if Envy could tell by… looking.”
“No. Pale rose and gray candles are used by House Greed.”
“Thyme and copper are also required when summoning a demon who belongs to that court.”
seven royal Houses. Each have their own rituals and requirements. Candle colors, plants, time of day, objects of intent, and metals all vary.”
“Whatever happened in this chamber that night, I know your sister didn’t summon Pride. And it doesn’t look like she was trying to, either.”
“I vow on my blood that I’ll destroy the demon who did this to Vittoria, and take pleasure in doing it.” Wrath glanced at me sharply and, judging from his flash of surprise, I imagined my gaze went nearly black.
Then his gaze shifted between the matching ink on both of our forearms. His look was unreadable.
“I wouldn’t mind getting to know you better, either. Especially if you’re such a good friend of my Emilia’s.”
Wrath said the word “friend” like he thought Antonio was anything but.
Antonio’s arm had a surprising bit of muscle hidden beneath his robes, but he didn’t try and stop me as I guided him into the corridor.
colatoio
“He was a prince of Rome and an angel of death. I’d say that sounds pretty fitting.
“Do not ever call me that again. I am no angel, witch. Never make that mistake.”
“Have you and that human ever shared a bed?”
“First, that’s none of your business. And second, why would you ask such an asinine thing? In case you didn’t notice, he’s a man of God.” “He hasn’t always been.”
“Your pulse is pounding.”
“Just
like your human’s when I claimed you. Odd for such a pious man to get so jealous.”
“There’s a point to everything, witch. We just have to figure out how it all connects. Don’t discount your friend simply because he’s mortal. Emotions are powerful forces. People kill for much less than greed or jealousy.”
“Tumbling around dark places with handsome young men might distract from the pain for a little while, but it won’t ever take it away. You need to find your own inner strength for that.”
