Page 77 of King of Inferno

I never stopped to think of how someone was able to defeat Nariah. She and I were direct descendants from the original bloodline. It’s how I’m as unique in my giftings as she was.

Azar was right. I can perform tasks the others can’t. Now, in my musings, I have to wonder when the bishop figured this out. Am I the reason for my love’s death?

“I can give you some of those answers.”

I turn abruptly to find Azar standing in the middle of the cemetery dressed in indecent attire. She’s in a sheer nightdress that leaves nothing to the imagination.

“What?” I say as I avert my gaze.

“I don’t have much time right now, but I can answer your questions at another time,” she says.

“When will you get out of my mind?”

“When you are no longer of use. Not a moment before.”

“Why are you here? What do you want?”

“I thought we had become friends, my dear Ferg.”

“If this is what you think of as friendship, you’ve lived a sad existence.”

She throws her head back and laughs. “You know nothing about me. Sad is an understatement. Enough small talk.

“I have set the chaos needed for my plans. The fire fairies will set the stage for Cole to help Seraphina escape. I will be calling on your assistance.”

“Wait, this wasn’t the deal. You wanted me to make sure she survives the battle. That is all. You cannot change the terms of our agreement now. Have you no honor?”

I look her over and frown. The way she stands here before me answers my question. I’ve watched women lose their morals with the passing of time.

My Nariah would never. I was the only man to know her. She was mine and I was hers.

“You will do as I say,” Azar snarls. “If you want to know what happened to your precious love, you will do everything I ask.”

With her words, I drop to my knees in pain. A gasp leaves my lips and I clench at my chest. There is a burning in my lungs as if I swallowed fire.

I lift a hand in surrender, hoping she will make it stop. Again, I wonder how she has this much power over me. One thing I’m sure of, this woman is a fire fairy. However, she’s studied the arts of dark magic.

I’ve never heard of a caster with the ability to mock the strength of my kind. Yes, they can learn to wield magic, but things like this are not replicable actions. She would need to be of our blood or the mate of a king.

There’s too much darkness around her for me to scent her true essence. I’ve scented the fire fairy in her blood because she’s been heavily relying on it.

The pain recedes and I suck in a deep breath. Azar tilts her head to the side as she glares down at me. I fall back onto my behind and drape my arms over my knees.

“I will tell you who I am as well. Do as I say, and I will give you all the answers that are swirling in your head.”

“I want to know now. Then I will help you,” I snarl.

“Regain your strength. I must go. My time is up.”

With that, she vanishes, leaving me in the graveyard with my thoughts and regrets. I am being manipulated again. However, I have not decided which is the more dangerous opposition. The bishop or this mutant fairy.

I place my head in my hands. I swallow hard and my throat burns. This has turned into a nightmare within a nightmare.

“How have I gotten here, my love? Will any good ever come of this journey?”

I throw my head back and release a roar into the night.

Intruder

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