Kyra gagged, the sound loud against the silence.
Oh, bloody hell,she thought when those red eyes settled back on her.
“What are you offering, Fred?” Dirk continued. “A feast of your coven?”
“I am offering you true freedom.”
Dirk’s brow creased. “The gate that kept my kind bound to The Nether has already been broken. It allows us to move freely between the realms. We are no longer prisoners to the darkness below, therefore free.”
“But you are still tied to your names like a chain,” Frederick continued. “You shouldn’t be punished for choosing power. Fate shouldn’t force you around like dogs by those who summon you with your true name. Let me break it for you.”
Dirk froze, hands curling into claws. “You know how?”
Frederick paused, smile deepening. “We have the power, and with your resources we will, you have my vow.”
“Pretty words,” Dirk drawled. “And what would you want in exchange for this empty promise?”
“Your knowledge. Let us learn the old magic from inside your immortal memory.”
Dirk chuckled, the horns on his head disappearing into his hairline. “How can I trust that you are sincere?”
“I’ll add that if I betray you, you’ll have the reassurance of a… collateral.”
“A collateral?” Dirk asked. “Hmmm. A witch, of my choice?”
“Agreed,” Frederick replied without hesitation.
Dirk paused, tilting his head. Without his horns and wings he looked like a generic man, just one with red irises and skin tinged with grey. “Drop the shield. Let us agree to this blood oath.”
Frederick nodded, his palm pressing into his dome.
It didn’t fall.
“Adeline!” Frederick snapped. “Drop the shield so we can properly welcome our guest.”
Adeline paused, her fingers held tight to her chest as she flicked her gaze to Kyra. “Of course,” she finally said, reaching forward with her own palm. One by one the others followed, until it was only Kyra who remained.
“Last warning,” Frederick said, his smile tight. “Kyra?”
Kyra gripped her candle tighter, but leant forward until her skin touched the circle. The dome fell, their auras rebounding with a painful snap. It left them vulnerable, and the tension along the witches was palpable.
Dirk sniggered, his fingers pressing forward in reassurance that the circle was no longer there. “Interesting coven you have here.” He spun slowly, meeting everyone’s gaze one by one. When he reached Cassandra he stepped forward, waiting until she looked up before moving back to Frederick. “You and your coven will help us break the summoning law, giving back total freedom, and in return I will share my knowledge.” With a long, pointy nail he sliced across his palm before holding it out.
Frederick watched the nail, his smirk tipped at the corners. “Myself, the coven and my personal black witch will help you break the summoning law, but you will share all your knowledge in the dark arts in advance rather than as payment. We are equals, after all.”
“Equals,” Dirk echoed.
Bane walked forward with a new blade, and Frederick sliced his palm the same length as Dirk had.
“A blood oath to seal our new relationship,” he said, clasping hands.
Dirk grinned, yanking Frederick closer until their chests touched. “It is done, but understand if my summoning name is abused or shared, I will make death a holiday compared to what I would do to you.”
“I expect nothing else.” Frederick pulled his hand free. “And If you think about betraying me, I will show you exactly what it’s truly like to be a slave to your name.”
“This seems to be a worthy joining,” Dirk said with a crooked smile. “Before I give you my true name I wish to mark my collateral.”
Frederick wiped his hand down his cloak. “You may mark, but that is all. You only gain them if I betray you, which I don’t plan to do.”
