Page 38 of Court of Evil

“Yes,” it hisses. “I am trapped. You must be strong enough to free me.”

I glance back and step towards one of the columns, placing my hand on it.

My head falls back with a gasp, my eyes closing as my body jerks with power and understanding.

I rip myself away, panting as I glance from the shadow to the man. The knowledge I just stole runs through me.

To free him, I must replace those chains with my own.

Understanding dawns. A tempest needs a master. It needs someone to control it or it will go mad with power.

Shamus thought I could tame it, control it, and become its master.

What it said is true. It doesn’t want to follow someone . . .

It wants to be owned by somebody.

CHAPTER 17

“That is what you want?” I ask of the shadows as the body jerks above me, the chains dancing in the air.

“Yes. A tempest without a master is uncontrollable. I was locked away when my old master died. Without one, I am doomed to this,” it hisses. “If you want my help, huntress, then replace the chains. Give me my freedom and take my ownership.”

Horror washes through me when I realise what he wants me to do, what Shamus sent me here to do. Did he know what it would cost?

Owning a tempest means being bound in life and death and transferring part of my soul to his. He would be mine, and there would never be peace or escape. Where I go, he goes. Yes, I have his power and support, but I will also never be alone again.

“If I do not choose this, what happens to you?” I ask.

“The hunters following you will slay me. I will not be able to protect my body forever. I will be lost,” he says casually, as if he isn’t speaking about his death. “It is your choice.”

“You are not angry that you cannot survive without an owner? That you have been trapped, waiting for centuries just for being what you are?” I snap.

“No. It is who I am,” he murmurs. “I whispered to your commander over and over, sensing a power within the structure, one that called to me. It has taken years for him to listen to me. I called to you, mistress. Do you not understand that?”

If I don’t do this, he will die, and something about an ancient creature like a tempest being slaughtered while chained fills me with sadness and regret. I know this world would suffer for it. He’s a creature of power, purpose, and fate. The world would weep at his loss.

Maybe it wasn’t just Shamus who led me here. The thought frightens me, but I realise Shamus is right. I need this power. To survive what is to come, I need to be invincible. The people I am going after are monster hunters, and they have faced evil every day. There will be no stopping them alone.

How far am I willing to go for revenge?

For cleansing our people?

I vowed I would give up everything if I survived that place and them.

I would give it all for revenge and to rid this world of evil. I would make a deal with the devil. I would corrupt my soul. I would shatter my life and body. I would become what I need to become.

“If I do this, you will be mine?” I ask the shadow.

He writhes with excitement and hope. “Yes, yours. I will face your enemies with you. Yours to control. To use.”

“Is that what you want?” I ask, stepping closer until I can press my hand to the barrier. The shadow writhes across the other side, forming a hand to press to mine. “Do you want to belong to me?”

“Nobody has ever asked me that before,” he hisses, then there’s a pause. “Yes, yes, I want to belong to you. Your soul is delicious, and you are deserving. Yes, mistress, I want to be yours.”

I blow out a breath and drop my hand. “Then so be it.” Turning back to his body, I stop under the chained man. “How do I do this?”

“Blood. Always blood, mistress. It is how we feed. It must be freely given.”

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