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The an to swirl beneath Az’s hand "Az" Jade began

"I’ll bleed for you," Az told hiive you a pound of flesh, if that’s what you want I’ll agree to be in your debt, but you leave her out of this"

"Why?" Mateo seemed honestly confused "This is all about her"

And it was Her battle Her fight Her life So why should Az be the one to sacrifice?

"But if you’re truly willing to offer up all that you have," Mateoto--"

"No!" The denial burst fro "

Mateo’s gaze dipped to her storin curved his lips once more "I do wonder what the child will be like"

In a flash, Az had the knife at Mateo’s throat "Cut the game, Mateo" A trickle of blood slid down the witch’s throat "Help us or--"

"Or you slice me open? Why use a blade when you can kill me with your hand?"

"Because I don’t want you dead I just want you to bleed" He tossed the knife and shoved Mateo’s head over that swirling lass "Tell lass Moving faster Faster But Mateo just laughed "I see you dying at Brandt’s hands His claws tear you apart" He turned his head andbri "I’ll do it," Jade said immediately

Az spun around "No, Jade--"

"Too late" A faint charge lit the air A burst of sparks "There’s no going back now"

Her heart thundered in her chest "Just give us the bullets"

"The deal’s made," Mateo said with satisfaction

"Then unmake it," came Az’s furious order, "or I’ll make sure you’re never around to collect on the debt"

"But you’re going to try that anyway," Mateo said "You’re going to try and destroy everyone"

No, he rong Az wouldn’t do that

"I’ve seen the future, Azrael I knohy that witch gave you up to the hunters o I knohy the world should fear you" The faint lines around Mateo’s eyes deepened even as his tattoos continued to subtly shift "You were the ruler of the Death Angels, and you’re going to bring hell to earth"