Page 56 of Destined to the Reaper

With a swift possession spell, Kali took control of the bird and surveyed the land through its eyes. Under my guidance, she flew it to the mansion, describing what she saw along the way.

“The front gates are closed. A few lights are on inside the house, but I do not perceive the presence of anyone within the building. Casting Blood Magic through a thrall is quite difficult and limited,” she added apologetically.

“There’s no one there?” I asked, baffled.

I could clearly feel the pull of his presence at the Manor.

“Yes, there are people there, just not inside the house,” she amended, her eyes still out of focus and gazing off into the distance. “I’m circling around the back now where I feel their presence.”

My back stiffened when her facial expression changed to something akin to horror and disbelief.

“What the hell is going on?” she whispered, stunned.

“What do you see?” I asked, tension filling my voice.

“They’re standing on the terrace outside,” Kali said, her eyes flicking this way and that as she observed the scene through the eyes of the magpie. “Cornelius is near the wall to the left of the large patio doors. There’s a huge altar in front of him. Yourscythe is lying on it. There are all kinds of runes, polished bones, and blood surrounding it.”

I cursed under my breath at this confirmation that he was indeed preparing the binding ritual that would bring about my ultimate demise. The mere thought of him desecrating my scythe had my blood bubbling with rage.

“Alva and Meri are standing to the left and right sides of the altar. They’re reciting some kind of incantation. I cannot hear them, but I’m certain it has nothing to do with your scythe, and everything to do with Piers.”

“Piers?” I echoed, taken aback. “What is he doing?”

“It looks like he’s being sacrificed,” Kali said with a frown. “He’s lying on the ground, spread eagle, his wrists and ankles bound by blood shackles. He’s screaming and… Oh Gods!”

“What?!” I exclaimed upon seeing blood draining from her face and her sudden air of panic.

“He knows we’re here!” she whispered fearfully, tension stiffening her shoulders.

She breathed heavily for a few seconds, her eyes flicking from side to side while magical energy oozed out of her in droves. I wanted to pressure her into telling me what was happening but held my tongue, sensing that she needed her concentration. After thirty seconds that felt like hours, Kali’s shoulders finally relaxed. She blinked then turned to look at me with a mix of worry and guilt.

“What is it?” I asked.

“I was flying over the courtyard when Cornelius looked up. He stared directly into the bird’s eyes. He smiled and waved before resuming the ritual he was performing,” she said with a shudder.

I cursed again. “You do not seem in pain or in distress. So I’m guessing you managed to escape?”

She hesitated. “I safely got the bird out of there and released it. But Cornelius didn’t attack. He just wanted to make sure we knew he was aware of our presence. I don’t understand why he didn’t attack. For sure he knows that killing the bird while I controlled it would have harmed me.”

“He’s being cocky,” I said, the hatred burning in my gut for him clearly audible in my voice. “He loves psychological warfare. This is simply his way of telling us that he’s not bothered or afraid of our imminent attack. He’s ready and welcomes it.”

“But what’s the deal with Piers?” she asked, a frown creasing her forehead. “He has been his loyal apprentice for quite a few years now.”

“He has,” I said pensively. “Cornelius always gave more importance to the two women. He enjoyed fucking Alva and admired her malicious personality. But he loved Meri’s power. Piers had his purpose, but it did confuse me that he had not brought him when we went hunting the manticore. Now I wonder if it had been intentional to keep him in the dark as to the fate that awaited him.”

“Is there any chance Piers submitted voluntarily to whatever is going on?” Kali asked.

I pursed my lips as I pondered the matter. “With those three, anything is possible. If Cornelius promised him a significant increase in power if he volunteered, I could see Piers consenting to it. But I also wouldn’t put it past Cornelius to have conned or coerced him into whatever this is. Only time will tell. The question is—”

A sudden tug interrupted me. I inhaled sharply and jerked my head in the direction of the mansion.

“What is it?” Kali asked warily.

“The path is open,” I said, my stomach knotting with apprehension. “Cornelius lifted the banishment wards. I can feel him pulling at me, baiting me.”

“Should we go or delay then?” Kali asked, the same tension I felt audible in her voice.

“We must go,” I ground through my teeth. “As much as I hate playing by his rules, delaying further will serve nothing. I will go in first in my wraith form. The women cannot see me unless they shift their vision. And even then, I can fade a bit more to be fully invisible. And unless he uses my scythe, Cornelius won’t be able to either.”

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