Before I could process what had just happened, he tugged me forward, his grip firm as he led me toward the towering structure below.
Inside, the water parted, revealing a vast, open chamber filled with light and sound. Bioluminescent coral lined the walls, casting a soft glow over the intricate carvings and enchanted runes that adorned every surface.
“Here,” Izo said, tossing a pair of weighted shoes toward me. “Put these on. You’ll need them to walk.”
I glared at him, but the compulsion forced me to obey. My hands moved of their own accord and put the heavy shoes onto my feet.
“That’s better.” He turned and strode deeper into the citadel.
My mind screamed at me to stop, but my body followed him.
We entered another chamber, where a tall, lean man with sharp features and cold eyes waited. He bowed slightly as we approached, his gaze flicking to my naked body briefly before returning to Izo.
“I need your assistance in the palace,” Izo said smoothly. “We’re nearly ready to finalize the curse on The Shadow, and I require your expertise for the final process.”
The man nodded, his expression unreadable. “Of course, my lord.”
At the mention of Raffaele, a pang of sadness cut through me, but it was dull. I struggled to hold onto it, to remember why I cared, but the compulsion was already twisting my thoughts.
“Bring her some clothes,” Izo added, gesturing toward me.
The man’s gaze flicked to me again, lingering a little too long on my chest. I crossed my arms instinctively, heat rising to my cheeks as his lips curved.
“Of course,” he said again, his voice tinged with amusement as he turned and left the room.
Izo’s hand gripped my arm, pulling me toward another corridor. The Siren’s Song was a constant hum in my mind now, its melody soothing and suffocating all at once. I couldn’t fight it. All I could do was follow.
“We have one more stop to make, then I’ll give you the grand tour of my palace.” Izo pulled me along through a maze of corridors. Finally, he stopped at a dead end. Several armored men stood guard at a large stone door. As soon as they saw Izo, they stepped aside and nodded in reverence.
“This way, my dear.”
The room was circular, with high ceilings that arched endlessly into the shadows. Every surface was made of obsidian and shimmering coral, the walls inlaid with glowing runes. One wall displayed weapons like trophies—blades, spears, and artifacts that glinted in the dim light, each one radiating its own lethal energy.
At the center of the room stood a pedestal carved from what looked like polished bone, its surface holding a single dagger. Its blade shimmered with a blue, iridescent glow, its edges rippling like water frozen in motion. Izo approached it slowly, reverently, his silver eyes gleaming with purpose.
“This is what I’ll need when The Shadow finally decides to crawl into my domain.” His fingers brushed over the blade with a kind of affection that made me shudder.
The pain in my gut flared again at his words, and I gritted my teeth, trying to push through it. My mind screamed at me to think of Raffaele, to hold onto the memory of him, but the compulsion dragged my focus back to Izo.
“That looks like a powerful blade,” I managed. The compulsion might control my actions, but my voice was my own, and I would use it however I could.
Izo glanced back at me. “It’s more than powerful. It’s a masterpiece. It’s been enchanted with water veils and is deadly with even the lightest touch. It doesn’t matter where it lands—the wound is always fatal.”
He turned the blade in his hand, the glowing edge reflecting off the dark surfaces of the room. “Do you know what’s most poetic about it?” He didn’t wait for me to answer, stepping closer. “The very magic that binds The Shadow to you will be his undoing. This blade was forged to sever bonds, both physical and magical.”
My stomach twisted painfully, the compulsion suppressing the sharp spike of fear and sorrow that rose in my chest. I wanted to scream at him to stop. I wanted to throw the blade into the ocean depths where no one could ever find it. But instead, I found myself nodding, my lips parting to form words I didn’t mean.
“You’re so prepared. So thorough,” I said, hating how genuine the words sounded. Inside, I was screaming at myself to shut up.
“Of course, I am. When you’ve played this game as long as I have, you learn to think ten steps ahead. The Shadow is clever, yes, but he’s predictable. He’ll come for you, my dear.” He stepped closer, holding the blade between us. “And when he does, I’ll be ready.”
The blade’s glow intensified, and I found myself transfixed. My fingers twitched at my sides, and I balled my hands into fists to keep from reaching out. Somewhere, buried beneath the layers of compulsion and pain, the real me screamed for release.
Izo’s voice took on a tone that might have been comforting if it weren’t so laced with control. “I see that look in your eyes.You’re conflicted. Torn. But don’t worry, Vivian. When this is over, you’ll see I was right all along. The Shadow can’t offer you what I can.”
I flinched, and his expression darkened slightly. He tilted the blade, catching the light. “You’re still clinging to him,” he said, his voice dipping dangerously. “But you’ll learn. They always do.”
The sharp pain in my gut intensified, and I doubled over. Gasping, I pressed my hand to my stomach.
