Page 105 of Cursed Heirs

“El is leading anExemplarteam to stop the final attack of Constantine’s acolytes, this one on Forrester Wolf Pack lands. Even though that frees up some resources, we are still taxed given the need for extreme defensive measures all the while the demon remains active.”

“It’s slowing you down with tracking him. And, by extension, bringing your daughter back to you.”

“Very much so. I can’t wait any longer. Knowing what he’s done to her—I saw some of the signs of it myself when I arrived on the scene the day he took the Orb.”

“She’s strong. She’ll survive him.”

“At what cost? The mental and emotional damage he’s caused and no doubt continues to—”

“I didn’t just mean physically strong, Abi. I was there with her. And now I can feel her fighting the infection every moment. It runs through my veins.”

“Why are you offering me comfort?”

“Because I know how it would feel if it were my child in that monster’s clutches. Moreover, Alena is extremely important to my son and his loves. That makes her wellbeing important to me.”

“And a man on his deathbed sees things differently.”

“How do you know about that?”

“I can feel it as I stand here before you. Quite a sacrifice you made for your son with him being in love with my daughter.”

“You have yet to comment on the latter.”

“I’ve never interfered in Alena’s personal affairs and this will be no exception.”

“Even though he’smyson?”

“He may be your son, but Orpheus isn’t you.”

“He still possesses a dark side and that’s something you abhor.”

“For me. Alena is a different story. She struggles with that part of herself because she lets it out every now and then, something that Orpheus and his loves can help her with. In my case, I avoid the dark altogether. At least, until now.”

“Until now? What exactly does that mean?”

“I know you have a traitor here in your dungeons—the part that wasn’t destroyed by Constantine’s attack anyway. He’s someone who has connections to Constantine’s acolytes. And I also know that he’s refusing to provide you with vital intel that will lead to Constantine and Alena’s location. I’m here to see to it that he’s given no further choice in the matter.”

“He’s already undergoing torture. What more can you do?”

“I will breach his mind.”

We heard Saryan choking at that.“The only way to achieve that, because his mind has been protected by Constantine, as all his assets are, is to breach black magic. And to do that, you’d be taking it into yourself. That would not only break many a supernatural law as upheld by you andExemplar,but it would also infect you. A Fallen compromised by black magic is more dangerous than Constantine himself.Exemplarwould never condone this.”

“Hence why I’ve come here alone.”

“I’m sure El won’t be far behind.”

“Then we’d better ensure we just keep the true reason for my visit between us.”

“As far as he’s aware, you’re following up after the invasion?”

“Precisely.”

“All right. How long will it take you to breach Taelorn’s mind?”

“My first time touching black magic… a couple of days. It will need to be done in pieces.”

“Begin as soon as you’re ready. I’ll have a room made up for you.”

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