His silver eyes were black as the night. His teeth elongated when he smiled, and she took a step back, her heart racing.
‘Come with me,’ he said. ‘Into the dark.’
And then he held out a hand, like he wanted her to take it.
But it wasnothis hand.
It was not his long, ring-covered fingers that he had so willinglyturned bare, bit by bit, to help her train Six. His palms stretched out, and where his fingertips once were … he had darksoul claws.
‘Why?’ Ezer asked him. She was crying again – traitorous tears, because how dare she cry over him, after all he’d done? ‘Why did you do it?’
He turned his head sideways, as if he were confused by the question.
‘Isn’t it obvious?’ His voice was more like a purr, a sound that sent shivers up and down her spine. ‘I was tired of dying. Tired of fighting for a Five that would never save me.’
‘Was it worth it?’ Ezer asked, shivering as he held her in his cold, dark gaze. ‘To trade your soul?’
He huffed out a laugh, and she realized with an ache that the vial on his neck was gone.
He no longer needed it, nor his cane.
‘My soul is free,’ he said. ‘And soon enough, yours will be, too.’ He stepped closer, reaching out with those long, dark talons. She inhaled, frozen before him, as he slid them across her scars. ‘We can be together, Ezer.Forever.’
‘I willneverbe with you,’ she whispered.
He sighed. And then he smiled, his claws pausing on her neck. ‘You won’t be with him, either.’
She didn’t dare move until his hand fell away.
‘Come,’ he said. ‘Your father awaits.’
He turned away, leaving the cell door ajar.
And she had no choice but to follow.
They passed countless other rooms, the doors open to reveal that everyone was back inside. Some were sleeping, some were training. Others knelt and prayed or pored over copies of the Shadow Tome, and it was all so normal. So calm.
So utterly different than what she’d ever expected it to be.
He led her back to the throne room that had been filled with thousands of darksouls before.
Now it was empty. Save for the shrouded figure that sat upon the black throne.
And – Ezer’s breath hitched – the raphon that lay at his feet.
Six.
She looked up at the sound of Ezer’s footsteps and twitched her tail once.
Yes.
No, Ezer wanted to tell her.No, Six, it isn’t good.
Because though Six did not look harmed, though her fur and feathers were clean and every part of her wings and paws intact … she was not safe.
Kinlear dropped to a knee before the throne, bowing his head. ‘My lord.’
Her heart twinged.
