“Caria is no longer at the inn either,” I say hesitantly.
“I didn’t do anything,” he says.
“No… no, this was all on me… I… I almost killed her… Somehow, the Umbra and my sister knew where to find us… They whisked her away… Thankfully…”
I let my head hang after the words escape my lips, unable to look Faas in the eyes. Because part of me is no longer convinced I am relieved she managed to escape my clutches. Part of me wants to slit her throat and bathe in her blood.
“Her shadows, that’s how,” he only says.
“They work together?”
“No, Fynn, or at least, I don’t think so. But her shadows, there must be some tether between hers and the Umbra; he controlsallshadows, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that included hers. He probably allows the death witch just to play around until she tries something he doesn’t like.
The involvement with your sister makes him no longer a neutral party. All he cares about is her, and anyone who stands in her way, he will eliminate, no questions asked.”
“Hmm, and your involvement with my mother, let me guess, my sister did not appreciate that?”
His eyes snap to mine, fury swirling in his light, green-colored orbs. He snarls at me, and instinctively, my magical shields activate. I watch with fascination as the hairs on his arm begin to smoke and smolder, like glowing embers, and his face twists from rage into agony.
“Stop it, Fynn, damnit!” he growls.
I blink, and the sizzling of hair stops; the putrid, invasive scent lingers.
“Gross, that stinks,” I say as I waft in the air, trying to get the stench out.
“You little shit,” he murmurs, the blonde hairs on his arms now blackened little stumps.
“So, how about you tell me what you and my mother are doing together?” I tilt my head at him as I speak.
“I wanted to learn about the Aurum she possesses, but I ended up falling for her charms,” he responds dismissively. “She and I are romantically involved.”
I let his words sink in for a moment. Romantically involved. I feel bile rise in my throat at the mere idea that both females in my family have fallen for darklings. I swallow it down. I need his help luring out the Umbra so I can finally slaughter my sister. The image of her blood-smeared corpse makes my heart sing.
“Right, well… As long as she’s happy, I guess…”
“Oh, I make sure she is.” He smirks, and I scrunch my nose at the insinuation.
“Fine, whatever, so what are we going to do about the Umbra?” I sneer.
“We could test my witch theory,” Faas suggests with a wicked smile. “If I’m correct, her shadows will cry out to him in distress. If I’m wrong, well… We’ll figure out the next step."
“That means we need to know where she is, and I have no idea.”
“Leave that to me… And Fynn… Most likely, the Umbra will bring your sister along.”
I know he’s using me, but I can’t help feeling a shiver run down my spine at the thought of finally wrapping my hands around Harlot’s throat, seeing the blood vessels in her eyes pop, and hearing her whimper for mercy. One thing I will not grant her.
I crack my knuckles in anticipation, and the heat that radiates from me makes the large dhampir wince. He gives me a warning glare, and I suppress my glee quietly, bloodthirst coursing through me.
“Have you thought about what you’ll do after you take care of your… business?” Faas inquires.
When I don’t respond, waiting for him to expose his true intentions, he speaks again.
“I want you to join my hunter group, Fynn. You’d be invaluable and could help make a difference. Together, we will burn down cities like Valorya and Sadelaer, destroying these abominations of nature.”
His gaze fills with malicious fervor.
I pause for a moment, thinking about his words before I say: “I’ll consider it. First, I want to take care of Harlot.”
