Page 7 of The Anointed's Paladin

“I meanfree. No longer beholden to the enchantment that shackles you. To gain powers unfathomable. Even shrug Lydes’ curse and walk again in the sun.”

“That’s not possible.” No way a creepy visitor was magically going to come and solve all my problems.

“Come. I have already freed your shackles of compulsion.” They blinked, pupils dilating, and a black mist seeped from their cloak, encircling us. “You will be able to leave this place with me.”

I swallowed. One of Cassandra’sfirstcommands—with compulsion—was that I could never leave the house without her express permission. This visitor offering me a way out seemed like something she would do—torment me with a magical escape.

But I’d already decided today would be a day of pushing boundaries. I’d bite. And if, on the small chance, this visitor was telling the truth…

I shouldnotfollow that thought.

I had learned long ago that hope was a painful path.

I sheathed my daggers and tucked them away, putting a pleasant smile on my face. I’d quickly find out if they were telling the truth; one of Cassandra’s other early commands was a lot easier to test.

“Fuck,” I said, the word rolling off my tongue for the first time in fifty years. “Fuck, that feels good! Shitfuckcunt motherfucking cocksucker BITCH.”

That was fucking bliss.

“Not you,” I clarified hastily, glancing at the visitor.

That meant I could also use my powers without her direction. I felt the cold chill wash over me as I turned invisible. The visitor blinked at me. I glanced at my hands—definitely translucent. Yet they could still see me. Then they shimmered, their form fading as well. I could only make out a slight outline.

“Lead on,” I said with a bow. The visitor turned and opened the door, stepping into the hallway. I followed, ears pricked. We went up the stairs, and I froze as I saw Cassandra storming towards us. I clutched the banister, trying to keep still, silent. Thankfully, she stalked right past both of us without a second glance.

“Let’s pick up the pace, shall we?” I whispered nervously, and the visitor nodded, sweeping up the stairs. I took them two at a time, and they matched my pace.

Hearing a screech of rage behind me, I started running. I skidded around a corner, while my companion practically glided along the floor, seemingly unfazed as I sprinted towards the back door.

I skidded to a stop and turned the handle. My heart thudded in my chest as I looked at the garden beyond, dimly lit by the moonlight.

I had gotten this far before, many years ago.

I hadn’t been able to take a step further.

I squeezed my eyes shut and stepped forward. My muscles complied, and I opened my eyes to find myselfoutside.

“Fucking excellent,”I said with a grin, launching forward again, running past the flower beds and topiary bushes. It felt exhilarating, and I laughed as I leaped over the fence that surrounded the mansion.

I ran, and I didn’t stop running. The only thought in my mind was to get as far away from Cassandra as I could. The visitor stayed beside me, always keeping up as I continued on. It was a busy night and people were just packed in the pubs and streets, but invisibility made it very easy to pass by without notice.

Finally, having reached the outside of the city, I couldn’t run anymore. I stopped, sitting down on a wall, chest heaving. I was drenched in sweat but didn’t even care. I wasfree. I could feel my body trembling, the coolness of the stone beneath me. The wind rustling through the air on this quiet night.

I’d never have to go into that stuffy, cramped room again. Never had to see Cassandra’s hateful face. A laugh escaped my lips. Was this real? I pulled out my dagger and ran my finger along the edge, drawing a drop of blood and a clean, sharp pain. That was real.

The tall figure sat beside me.

“Your freedom is enjoyable,” they said. I wasn’t sure if it was a statement or a question.

“Obviously.”

They nodded. “I am Cirae, Patron of the Forsaken.”

A God, here in the flesh? Well, it was about damn time. I didn’t pay much attention to deities. I knew there had been a lot of changessince I had been enslaved. Cirae…that was an old name. The newer gods were all so…humanoid.

“I’ve been trapped for threehundredyears,” I said, not able to stop a tremble in my voice. “Why did you come now?”

“I have a task for you,” they said simply.

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