Page 19 of King of Inferno

The bishop looks me straight in the eyes. He then lifts his hand and flicks his wrist. Ross and Bryon’s necks snap with the motion and they both fall to the ground.

I ball my fists and clench my jaw. They didn’t deserve that. I grow tired of the senseless killing.

What righteous cause is this that causes so much bloodshed? I swallow back the bile that rises in my throat. I don’t know how much longer I can take this.

“Edward, you take care of the bodies. Ferg, I want you to stay here with me,” the bishop commands.

Edward rushes to use his magic to lift both men from the altar floor so he can dispose of the bodies properly. I stay behind, staring down at my feet as I try to fight back my anger.

“You are angry with me. You are beginning to question my authority. Am I right?”

“No, Your Grace. I am not questioning your authority. I wish to understand, but I am not questioning you.”

“It is all the same. This is why I’ve asked you to stay behind. Azar, you can reveal yourself,” he says.

A woman with dark-red hair appears and moves to his side on the altar. At first, I’m not sure if she’s a fairy or a witch. The one thing I do know is that she carries the stench of dark magic.

It’s the same scent those tracking charms carry. The main reason I don’t trust them. It’s not as if I don’t know the bishop has ties with dark magic. Our very existence testifies to as much.

Ben proves as much each day he walks among us. Could this be the evidence I’ve been waiting for to prove that we’re the problem? I have followed the bishop blindly for so long, as many in the church have.

For so long, this has been our way. Nothing is questioned, nothing is challenged. I once thought that was the way it should be, but now, as this woman stands here with dark magic seeping from her pores, I know this isn’t right.

The only issue now is understanding the depth of our wrongs. Is this balance we seek really ours to attain? Or are we just pawns in a game not of our understanding?

“Azar, Ferg here has failed me once again. However, he is indeed an asset. An asset who needs to remember his place. Why don’t you punish him to prove your loyalty to me? Then and only then will I forgive what you have done,” the bishop says dryly.

“With pleasure, my dear,” she says and lifts her hands.

I drop to my knees in agony. My head feels like it’s about to explode. My vision blurs and I fall forward on all fours. Then I fall onto my back and clench my stomach as the feel of burning flames consumes my belly. It’s like a raging fire is clawing its way out.

“No. Please. Stop. Stop this.”

The woman releases a maniacal laugh, but the pain doesn’t cease. My eyes begin to feel dry and as if they will bulge from my head.

“Enough,” Bishop barks.

Finally, the pain ceases and I’m able to gasp for a breath of air. I roll onto my front and clench my fist. When I look up at the bishop, he’s glaring down at me as if I’m the scum of the earth.

“Are we clear now, Ferg? Do you understand your role? Or shall I have her clarify things a bit more?”

“I understand, Your Grace.”

“Good. I’m glad we could come to an understanding.”

“Azar, I want the girl. Failure is not an option. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, my dear. You want her? You shall have her. I will get her by any means. I believe it’s time we raise the stakes and introduce my own assets.”

The bishop waves a dismissive hand. “Get it done. I don’t care who or what you use.”

“Will that be all?” she purrs suggestively.

“For good measure, make sure he is truly loyal. A mere puppet for my use. Welcome, my son, to the inner circle,” he says.

“As you wish.”

I cry out as it seems my brain is being invaded. I can see and feel, but I’m no longer in control of my own body. I fight against it, knowing I should be strong enough to overpower this woman. Unless she’s … no, that can’t be.

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