Page 95 of Thorns of Deceit: The Beast Within

This was who she truly was.

A force of nature. Unstoppable. Terrible.

But even as the darkness consumed her, a small part of Skylar recoiled in horror.

No, this wasn’t her.

She was more than just the curse, more than just the Gryphon’s vessel. And Arye…

Didn’t he ask her to stop using the Gryphon?

Conflicting emotions warred within. Tearing her apart.

Vengeance. Make them pay. For every drop of blood. Every moment of fear and pain.

But at what cost?

“Sky!”

She blinked. Arye. When had he moved?

His eyes—usually so warm—now held concern. And something else.

Fear?

Not of her. For her.

“Look at me,” Arye’s voice again. Steady. Anchoring. “This isn’t you.”

But wasn’t it?

The Gryphon’s presence pulsed within her. Demanding. Insistent.

Let go. Give in. Embrace the power.

Show them what true terror is.

Her vision swam. The ballroom blurred. Faces melted into indistinct shapes.

The Divine Beast remained clear. Its intense gaze. Its razor-sharp beak. Its powerful wings.

It called to her. Promised vengeance. Power. Freedom.

All she had to do was let go.

Forget the lies. The pretense. The years of hiding.

Be who she truly was.

Skylar felt herself slipping. Falling into golden eyes. Into primal rage.

Into madness.

A hand on her arm. Warm. Solid. Real.

“Please.” Arye’s voice. Barely a whisper. “Don’t do this. Don’t let it control you.”

Control?

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