He whispers in Rosie’s ear, and she stands upright, her eyes still rolling back into her head. “Come with me without alerting anyone, or she dies,” he says when he turns back to me. His posture is relaxed, almost bored, but there’s no mistaking the icy death in his eyes.
My heart thunders in my chest, and I turn to try and spot Sin in the crowd. But Artorix isn’t having it anddigs his knife further into Rosie’s side. “I’m not the patient type, Miss Ryans.”
Swallowing, I look at Rosie. It’s a no-brainer. Rosie is my friend, and I refuse to let anything happen to her. “Where are we going?”
Artorix nods to the forest not far behind us. “The forest will serve us well.”
My instincts are screaming at me not to go in there, not because of the scary creatures that used to inhabit it, but because leaving the party with this man is a death sentence, and I know it.
Still, I turn and walk towards the forest as slowly as I dare, hoping Sin will spot us. Footsteps follow behind me, and I know Artorix and Rosie are there.
“You don’t want to enter these woods,” I start, but Artorix only scoffs.
“I already know your forest is empty,” he snaps. “It took all of two seconds to pull that information out of Rosie, the first time I possessed her tonight.”
The first time… I guess that might be why the alarm bells followed Rosie when Sin called her over. I wonder who else he managed to speak to.
We keep walking in silence until the sounds of the party have dimmed to near-nothing. The forest still clings to its eerie quiet, despite the loss of the forsaken. I focus on Artorix’s steps, relying on the sound of crunching leaves to assure myself he isn’t about to attack. But despite my added concentration, I still jump when he shoves Rosie onto the ground. Rosie makes no effort to stop the fall, and she crumples into a heap. She looks like a zombie.
“What did you do to her?” I demand, wanting to run to her side but not daring to take my eyes off him.
“Just a remnant Underworld power. I believe mortals are still somewhat familiar with the act of possession,” he answers, stalking closer to me.
“What do you want?” I ask, keeping my voice hard.
Don’t show fear, Vivian.
His voice is emphatic when he answers, “I want for nothing, Miss Ryans. And that is my problem with you. You see, my colleagues and I have secured a vastly comfortable life through our cooperation with the Council. And unfortunately, we won’t be endorsing your war. In fact –” he pauses, wagging his dagger as if to scold me. “A war is quite unacceptable. So, you understand why you must die.”
My blood chills at hearing one of my worst fears come to light. A supernatural being wants to kill me.
That’s a fairly big problem to have.
My mind starts spinning as I try to figure out how to get out of this. How do I escape someone with the ability to possess others? Does his power need touch in order to work?
He steps closer, his dagger glinting in the moonlight that spills through the trees.
Panic edges into my mind, but I push it back, focusing on how to stay alive. I break down the problem. Artorix wants to kill me, and I need to stall him. I know it won’t take long before someone notices I’m gone.
“So, is that your brilliant plan? Kill me and apparate away? You don’t think Sin will notice you’veleft?” I let a touch of criticism leach into my tone, hoping it will egg him on and he’ll ramble longer.
Of course, it could also backfire, and he could kill me instantly. But thankfully, I only think of that risk after the words have left my mouth.
Artorix chuckles. “No, you idiot. Do you not know the protection that is in this area right now? No visitor can apparate out, not outside of the designated apparition spots, or without Morgana’s express permission. That’s why I need you out here, away from prying eyes. Once I kill you and Rosie, no one will have any reason to suspect me. I’ll be back at the party, where everyone I’ve possessed will swear I never left their side. Not long after I’ve mingled some more, I’ll take my leave, never arousing suspicion.”
He looks pleased with his evil mastermind speech, and my stomach twists, hearing he plans on killing Rosie next.
No, no, no.I can’t let that happen. But no one saw us leave. Sin’s words from earlier echo in my mind. I keep expecting others to save me.
The grim reality slaps me in the face.
No one will find us on time.
Either I act, or Rosie and I are dead.
I guess it’s time to learn if Artorix needs physical contact in order to possess someone.
Slowly, I step away from him, lifting my skirts as if preparing to run away. Fear finally bleeds through into my expression, but it’s controlled. I want him to know I’m scared.
