Page 47 of The Darkest Night

One of the sorcerers guarding them heard her and looked over. “If there is anything you require to make your visit more comfortable, please say so, my queen. Just so you know, we have prepared lunch upstairs for all of you.”

Mae waved her hands weakly. “Honestly, I was kidding.”

I want meat.

Mae jerked to a stop. The gravelly words reverberating inside her skull drew her gaze to the pendant hanging around her neck. She was certain they had come from the weapon. But that wasn’t the strangest thing.

Hellreaver sounded as if he were made up of hundreds of voices.

Her pulse quickened.

A loud rumbling left the medallion, this one clearly audible. Their escort paled. Hellreaver flashed crimson, his hunger echoing through her. Mae grabbed her stomach as it growled in sympathy, suddenly starving herself.

Nikolai, Violet, and Miles looked from her to the pendant and back.

“Did that come from you or—?” Miles swallowed and indicated Hellreaver.

Mae made a face. “Sorry, it seems he’s hungry.”

“He?” Nikolai repeated dully.

The head of their escort looked like he was about to faint. “Hungry for what, exactly?”

Meat, the weapon repeated firmly.Your blood and that foul sorcerer’s sated some of my hunger, but I am still ravenous.

Mae blinked rapidly.So he really did drink my blood!

Fear not, my bond.Hellreaver’s tone turned smug.As long as you bring me the blood and flesh of our enemy, I shall be full.

Mae grimaced. She looked up into a sea of stares. “Hmm, he says he wants meat.”

Gurgles escaped some of the witches and sorcerers.

Mae registered their terror with an awkward smile. “I’m sure he doesn’t mean human meat.” She squinted at Hellreaver. “You don’t, right?”

The weapon’s sheepish silence told her she’d been right on the money. Mae cursed silently.

Brimstone sat down, limpid eyes flaring.I would like meat too. And rest assured, I have no wish to consume human flesh.

A look of distaste flashed across his face.

Mae wasn’t sure if she should be pleased or offended. “What kind of meat do you guys want?”

Their escort watched them with bated breath.

Hellreaver spoke.The leg of a gryphon.

Mae narrowed her eyes. “I’m pretty sure New York doesn’t have gryphons.”

A dejected hum vibrated off Hellreaver.

Nikolai raised an eyebrow. “He wants a gryphon?”

Alastair the crow ruffled his feathers uneasily.

Hellreaver perked up.How about the rump of a minotaur?

Mae’s frown deepened. “You’re out of luck. The last minotaur left New York centuries ago.”

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