Page 127 of Shades of Silver City

The tether holding me in place seems to snap then, and I shake myself from the daze. Adrenaline fuels me as I bolt from the apartment. Scathe whines, chasing after me, but he doesn’t attack me. He keeps pace with me, as if watching over me.

I have nowhere to go.

No one else to look out for me.

I’m a dead woman running through the city.

Without stopping to think, I head toward the only other place I know to go.

Citizen Confinement and Perimeter Security Directive

Silver Edict #2

“The border ensures order, safety, and serenity. To transgress this boundary is to jeopardize the safety of the citizenry and is punishable by death.”

CHAPTER 30

ARCHER

The beast inside of me swallows the lifeless boy’s soul, consuming his energy until every inch of me is buzzing with the high. Power like I’ve never felt before roils beneath my skin.

When the last ounce of his essence is drunk to the dredges, I tilt my head up to the ceiling, shuttering my eyes and taking a moment to enjoy.

This.

This is what I’ve been missing out by ignoring the call of death.

This is my purpose. My calling. It’s natural.

Wild.

Free.

Archer, an urgent voice whispers into my skull. Archer, what have you done?

My eyes fly open, and I scan the room, searching for the source of the voice.

Hungry.

So hungry.

For death.

The hellhound’s perceptive blue eyes pierce me like shards of ice.

Scathe.

Don’t make me bite you, you profound moron. A low growl reaches my ears as he pulls his lips back to reveal his sharp teeth. Snap out of it!

The high begins to simmer down, and I blink a few times.

The last few minutes come back to me. Now that I’m no longer numb, the electric zing coursing through my veins subsides, allowing the emotions to thaw out.

Guilt.

Regret.

Fear.

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