Shadows thickened and swelled around me, slipping over the bars. And then I was inside the cell.
Callum jerked back, slamming against the wall.
I could’ve just left it at that. The ability to shadowstep alone would’ve sufficed, but I wanted him to understand exactly who was giving him secondhand embarrassment.
I willed the essence forward. My flesh thinned until silver bone gleamed. The weight of the crown settled on my head as the skin between my shoulder blades tensed. I felt the slow, steady drag along both sides of my spine as those deep muscles contracted. The thin slits of skin tingled as they opened, much like an eyelid, allowing the wings to slip free and unfurl.
“What the—?” Callum pressed against the wall, eyes going wide as he drew his legs up.
My smile remained as I stepped forward, lifting the wings until the shadow of them fell across his face. “What were you saying about secondhand embarrassment?”
His stark gaze traveled to the silver feathers, his mouth opening wordlessly.
“I don’t recall,” I added. “But I can tell you that the way you’re looking at me now is giving me that same feeling.”
Callum’s head snapped back, and then he clamored to his feet, rattling the chains. “What the fuck are you?”
I took another step toward him. “Something that can make Kolis do more than just bleed. Something that can kill you.”
His throat bobbed.
“So, again, I suggest you be more forthcoming with me,” I advised, tone almost gentle as the flames flickered. “Where can I find Kolis?”
He stared, going still.
My head cocked. The temperature in the cell dropped, extinguishing the fire and plunging the space into a deep gloom that the outside torches barely penetrated.
“Fuck,” he spat.
I snapped forward, wrapping my hand around the shit’s throat. He grabbed at me, his fingers slipping off the bone as I lifted him off the floor. “Callum?” I leaned in until my mouth was inches from his ear. “Where is Kolis?”
He snarled, spitting out a curse.
A smoky, shadowy laugh parted my lips as crimson-streaked mist seeped from the fingers around his throat.
Callum’s back bowed, his body going rigid as the mist began to burn his skin.
“Where?” I repeated, inhaling the scent of charred flesh. “Where is Kolis?”
“I will never…betray him.” His body trembled as he strained away from the pain. “So, you…may as well kill me,” he gasped.
“Don’t tempt me with a good time,” I told him, pulling my head back so I could look him in the face. “Because you have no idea how badly I want to.”
His lips peeled back as his jaw clenched.
“And my self-restraint?” I drew my lower lip between my teeth as I felt the skin beneath my fingers sink in, whatever was under them turning mushy. I watched the pain ripple across his features. “It’s nearly nonexistent these days.”
“Then do it,” Callum rasped. “Kill me.”
My chin lowered as my lip slipped free and pulled back, baring my fangs to him. The growl that rolled from my chest was deep and rumbling, the sound not even remotely mortal. Eather burned my veins as my grip tightened, sealing off his airway.
I could kill him.
Easily.
And without remorse.
I was sure the fucker was guilty of countless crimes, the most heinous of them being what he allowed to be done to his sister.
