Page 179 of Owned

“A willing possession,”the grimoire continued.“To bind spirit to flesh by will alone is to weave a thread of shadow between heartbeats... The vessel must open willingly. The spirit must answer. Both must desire. If either falters, the thread unravels… and with it, the soul.”

A shudder of terror rippled through me and my knees turned to water and I swayed on my feet.

There was silence in my mind.

Then a dark laughter—soft and cloying.

“You didn’t learn about that at the Academy, did you?”The grimoire’s voice was gently teasing now.

My voice stuck in my throat and my stomach was tight. “How— I can’t just… I can’t—”

“It’s the only way.”

“No… I can do this.”

“You cannot.”

No more teasing. The voice was a powerful echo in my mind.

Or had it echoed through the room?

I looked around frantically and stumbled toward the shadows in the corners.

“Come out—”

But my hands hit the wall. The curtains.

I was alone.

“You’re never alone, child.”

“I can’t do this,” I whispered.

“You have to.”

Desperation clawed at me. “Why don’t I have a choice?”

My voice sounded strange, and I clutched at my robe and recoiled as I noticed that the delicate fabric was stained with my blood.

My magic had healed the cuts on my hand and wrist, but blood crusted between my fingers and made me aware of every tiny movement and stretch of my skin over my bones.

“This is the last time,”the voice in my mind said.“After this— No one will question you ever again. You’ll be free.”

Freedom.

That was all I’d ever wanted.

I’d already given up so much.

What was a little more?

Another sacrifice.

“Another sacrifice to gain everything you’ve ever wanted,”the grimoire said.

Gentle. Soothing. Seductive.

Words bubbled up before I could stop myself. “What do you think I want?”

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