Page 47 of Crimson Shadows
“Huh?” I mutter as I turn to look where she has hurried over to. The magickal orb is buzzing about, vibrating intently as she goes to it.
“Where were you earlier?” she asks.
The thing doesn’t answer. It can’t. It’s sentient up to a point, from what I can gather. It understands but can’t respond with words. It bounces around the room with such vigour that we all take cover, except Ignatius, who is a bit slow today. The orb careens towards his head and bounces off it, making him groan as we chuckle at his predicament.
“Oww,” he grunts. “You little shit.”
“Orby, calm down!” Adelaide crosses over to it and snatches it out of the air. It practically drags her over to the window and shakes in her hand. “I know,” she murmurs, soothingly patting it. I marvel at how she is scared out of her wits, but is still taking the time to calm the pet orb, which has gone slightly nuts.
“Adelaide,” Corvus mutters.
She turns to look at him and shakes her head slightly.
He knows something they aren’t sharing.
“Whatever it is, we need to know. Those creatures are bad news, babes. You need to come clean.”
“I can’t. Professor Blackthorn said it has to remain a secret,” she murmurs and flings the heavy book she has been clutching this entire time on the bed.
It catches Zephyr’s eyes immediately, and he smirks. “Learning about me, Little Dollie?”
“Stop calling me that,” she hisses, “and yes.Youare bad news. I want to know what I’m up against, and something tells me I’d rather take my chances out there with them.” She flings her hand out to indicate the Strix.
Zephyr’s smile widens. It’s slow and sinister, and I sigh. This just went from a bad situation to much, much worse.
22
ZEPHYR
The strainin Adelaide’s tower room has just kicked up a notch. The air is thick with magick and fear. I can taste it on my tongue, sweet and intoxicating. The Strix circling outside the window are a threat, but they’re also an opportunity. An opportunity to show Adelaide exactly what I’m capable of.
I walk towards her, my movements smooth and intimidating. She tenses up, her eyes widening as she watches me approach. She’s cautious, and rightfully so.
“You want to know what you’re up against, Little Dollie?” I purr, my voice low and seductive. Dark energy snaps the air around me, shadows dancing at my feet. “Are you sure you can handle it?”
Adelaide takes a step back. The fear in her eyes is mesmerising, but there’s curiosity. Desire, even. It sends a thrill through me.
“I’m not afraid of you,” she says, but her voice trembles slightly.
I lean in closer, my lips nearly brushing her ear. “You should be,” I whisper.
The others in the room fade into the background as I focus entirely on Adelaide. I can feel her rapid heartbeat and smell the adrenaline coursing through her veins. It’s heady.
“We feed on fear and pain and desire. We can shape reality itself,” I murmur, shadows swirling around us. “Bend light and darkness to our will. Your mind, your very soul, are playthings to us.”
I reach out, trailing a dark shadow along her jawline. She flinches. “Such a delicate little thing,” I muse. “So fragile. So, tempting.”
“Zephyr,” Corvus’s voice cuts through. “That’s enough.”
I ignore him, my focus entirely on Adelaide. “Do you want to see more, little one?” I ask, my voice seductive. “Do you want to know what true power feels like?”
Adelaide swallows hard, conflict clear in her eyes. Fear wars with curiosity, caution with desire. It’s a delicious sight.
“I...” she starts, then stops, licking her lips nervously.
I lean in closer, my lips almost brushing hers. “Just say the word,” I whisper. “I can show you wonders beyond your wildest dreams. Or horrors that will haunt you for eternity. The choice is yours.”
In a fleeting moment, it’s just the two of us. Her eyes flutter shut, and there’s a magnetic pull between us, my power beckoning to something within her. A small part of her craves to surrender to the darkness. Her longing is mouthwatering.
