You can run from your destiny, but you cant hide...
Ivy thought that she and Adrian had conquered their fates. Yet with thousands of innocents still trapped in the demon realms, shes determined to locate the final hallowed weapon and harness its unparalleled power to free them. But the last relic nearly put Ivy in the gravetheres probably no coming back from this one.
Adrians dark lineage has made him the most powerful of his kind, yet even his incredible abilities might not be enough now. Instead, the treacherous fate he has fought so hard to escape might be the only way he can save Ivy. Their undeniable bond has been tested before, but never with so much on the line. Now fate will come head-to-head against true love, and nothing theyve endured can prepare Ivy and Adrian for the unthinkable choices theyll face...
Dont miss the earth-shattering conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frosts Broken Destiny series!
Praise for New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost
Jeaniene Frost is blessed with a creative soul.
Sherrilyn Kenyon, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Jeaniene Frost brings her signature wit, sizzle and extraordinary imagination to this epic new series. I was addicted from page one.
Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on The Beautiful Ashes
[A] pure stunner... Frost skillfully balances passion and peril in an attention-grabbing story thats exciting from the first page.
Publishers Weekly on The Beautiful Ashes (starred review)
Books dont get much more fun or action-packed than this.
RT Book Reviews on The Beautiful Ashes
If you prefer nail-biting, otherworldly suspense, and adventure with your love story, this ones for you.
BookPage on The Beautiful Ashes
I always open a Frost book with happy anticipation, and Ive never been disappointed.
Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Captivating romance and adventure all wrapped into one thrilling ride that will bind you until it drops you at the very last page.
The Book Whisperer on The Beautiful Ashes
The Brightest Embers
Jeaniene Frost
www.millsandboon.co.uk
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To everyone who has faced long odds,
and kept fighting anyway.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Praise
Title Page
Dedication
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
AUTHORS NOTE
Copyright
CHAPTER ONE
I WALKED INTO the museum with a half demon holding my hand and a gargoyle waiting for me back at our car. As a history major, Id often dreamed about going museum hopping throughout Europe, but not once had I pictured doing it like this.
Were here for the four p.m. tour, Adrian, my new husband and the aforementioned half demon, told the museum attendant.
The four p.m. tour group is over there, she said, pointing toward a small cluster of people about a dozen feet away.
As we walked off, Adrian traced the braided rope tattoo on my right hand. My sleeve hid the rest of it, just like my high-necked blouse and long pants hid the remains of the other hallowed weapon that had supernaturally merged with my flesh. If the hallowed weapon we were looking for was here, Id no doubt end up with a third supernatural tattoo.
Of course, that tattoo might one day end up decorating my cold dead corpse.
Feel anything, Ivy? Adrian asked in a low voice.
I directed my senses outward and felt the distinct vibes that meant this was hallowed ground, as well as extra brushes of power from the various religious relics in this museum. But I didnt feel anything potent enough to punch a hole through every demon realm in existence, and that was the specific ancient relic we were after.
No, I said, frustration coloring my tone.
I hadnt felt the power we were seeking when we were at Saint Peters Basilica in Rome last week, or the Hofburg Palace in Vienna earlier this week. Now we were at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin complex in Vagharshapat, Armenia. This was the third place in the world claiming possession of the spearhead of Longinus, aka the Holy Lance, aka the final hallowed weapon that I was supposedly fated to wield. The third time was, unfortunately, not the charm according to my lineage-derived radar. I could sense hallowed objects, and the famed spearhead wasnt here, unless wards were messing with my ability to feel it.
I wasnt optimistic about our chances. I suppose if the real spearhead was at one of the places it was supposed to be at, demons wouldve stolen it centuries ago, I said.
Someone close enough to overhear that gave me a startled look. I just waved at her. I wasnt worried about shocking her with the truth about demons, demons minions, Archonsbetter known as angelsor any of the other supernatural creatures I now knew were real. I could spend the next twenty minutes telling everyone here that all these things existed, and no one would believe me even if a bunch of demons were breathing down their necks while I spoke. I knew that from experience.
Adrian drew me closer, brushing back my dark brown hair. We had to check out this museum to be sure the spearhead wasnt hiding in plain sight. Besides, he murmured, leaning down until his mouth nearly touched mine, this might not be a successful relic hunt, but its turning into a great honeymoon.
My cheeks werent the only parts of me to grow warm at his statement, yet instead of leaning into his lips, I pushed him back. The look in his eyes said he was about to kiss me in a way more suited to our bedroom than a museum located on the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Still, Adrian was right. We might have struck out at finding the third hallowed weapon, but other than that, this had been the best month of my life. Id used the second hallowed weapon to close the gateways between the demon realms and our world, effectively locking the demons out. That made it a thousand times safer for me, Adrian, my sister, our friend Costa and every other person in the world. Only demons minions were left on this side of the realms, and with their demon masters locked up, the minions seemed to be running scared instead of terrorizing anyone.
Kiss me later. Lets do the tour now, I told Adrian. I might not feel anything, but the last weapons power was blocked by wards. Maybe the spearhead is here, and I just cant feel it yet.
Maybe, Adrian said, his light tone belying the sudden darkening of his sapphire-colored gaze.
Then he straightened, and just like that, the teasing, passionate man I loved was replaced by a hardened fighter whod been raised by demons to be the worlds most effective killer. I took in a deep breath, reminding myself that the demons efforts had backfired. Now Adrian used all of his amazing abilities to fight against them instead of for them.
Besides, he was only gearing up in case the spearhead was here. If so, its incredible power would compel me into attempting to use it on the spot, and I wasnt ready to do that. Not yet. That was why Adrian would fight to the last ounce of his demonically fueled, destiny-enhanced strength to stop me.