---- Up close, he saw those red eyesthe kind that froze the blood in his veins.


    The wind howled, carving a path for the lycans next strikeone aimed straight at his throat.


    Cold sweat drenched Salvatores body.


    He had never felt fear like this in his life.


    He had to escapeto run, just like when he and Be had been torn apart.


    Wait, that woman! With a final burst of energy, his body once again fractured into dozens of ck bats, darting straight toward where he felt Katherine''s presence.


    He wasnt even thinking about using her anymorehe just needed a shield from her furious husband.


    In an instant, Katherine found herself face to face with Salvatore.


    His fleshy in gruesome tatters, skin torn open in jagged wounds, blood spilling from his neck, shoulderseverywhere Vorath had mercilessly struck him.


    "You''ll pay for this, you damn bitch! Youre just like hereven in this you resemble that traitorous Be!" he roared, lunging at the Duchess.


    His time was running outhe could already hear the earth trembling under the furious sprint of the lycan behind him.


    Salvatores bloodied hand red red as he reached for Katherines ---- throat, gripping it tightly.


    He had no intention of killing heryet.


    He needed leverage, a hostage.


    Hed turn with her in his grasp and face the Duke.


    He savored the panic in the sorceresss eyes.


    So foolish.


    They could have had everything he had wanted to show her there was more beyond this prison.


    Youll regret this!" he spat at her, enraged.


    But just as he reached out to grab her with his other handto lift her by the throat and crush herraw panic seized him instead.


    He couldnt move.


    HE COULDN''T MOVE! "I knew youde for me," Katherines venomous voice slithered into his ears.


    "And you are the only one paying for what you''ve done." No matter how desperately he wanted to break free, he couldn''t.


    His gaze droppedhis eyes widened in horror.


    Hidden beneath his feet, glowing runes illuminated the ground.


    She had tricked him.


    It was a trap! "No, no, NO! Let me go, BeLET ME GO!" In his panic, the past and present blurred into one.


    Those brown eyesfilled with mocking amusementit was her! The reincarnation of the lover who had betrayed him.


    ---- "AAHHHH!" Salvatores roar was drowned out by the sickening sound of flesh being ripped apart.


    From behind, razor-sharp ws pierced straight through his backdriving through his chest.


    He had never moved from his spot.


    Katherine held him in ce while Vorath impaled him.


    A dark, blood-soaked limbthe beasts handburst through the gaping hole in Salvatores chest.


    His eyes, wide with disbelief and agony, remained locked on the face he had once loved so obsessively.


    But he refused to die like this.


    Not after centuries of hiding.


    Not after all the betrayals, the deceit, the countless sinsmitted to survive.


    If he was going downhe was taking them with him.