Page 19 of Marked By the Dark Lord
“I don’t know what I was doing,” I said softly. “It was the book.”
I frowned as I mentioned the book, realizing that, ever since Rokk appeared, I hadn’t longed for it to be back in my hands.Even now, I was still focused on the midnight monster too much to want it.
Had he somehow broken my hold on the thing? I’d kept it with me for twelve years. The only possession I’d never thrown away or tried to sell, including my own body. Was I free of it at last?
Too little, too late, though. The damage is already done.
“Enough of your excuses,” the man said before whispering a word. His staff tip glowed purple for a moment.
Nothing happened. I opened my mouth to laugh and insult him.
No sound came out.
My eyes widened in horror as he chuckled and gestured for my captors to continue bringing me toward the black tower that rose above all buildings near it. A wall surrounded it, thick of stone, just as dark as the rest. Compared to the ivory-colored buildings everywhere else, it was impossible to avoid the ominous undertones.
Without warning, thegongof bells rolled out over the city, emanating from the heart of the tower complex.
“Ah,” Gray-Man said. “How fitting.”
I stared at him, frowning, trying to ask what he meant. My mouth worked, but no sound came out at all. He must have been able to read my lips, however.
“You’ve arrived at the perfect time,” he said. “Court is in session.”
The minotaurs carried me through the gate. All the while, I screamed in silence.
Chapter Nine
Korr’ok
Ishouldered my way through the thick cloth and into the nearest building the moment I was out of sight of the human woman. Abhed yelped as he came along unwillingly, the cry only magnifying when he hit the stone wall that I tossed him up against.
My breathing came in deep, ragged breaths as I tried to regain my composure. The surge of heat and insatiable lust that consumed me like a raging inferno refused to die. It was only fanned by the blue flames I saw deep in her eyes, a vision I could not deny, could not cast aside.
“A-are you okay?” Abhed squeaked.
With a snarl that shook the dust from the ceiling, I snatched him up in one giant hand, his bones rattling as I thrust my face inches from his. “I amfine,” I growled. “And if you speak up again, I will squeeze my hand until your head pops off. Is that understood?”
Abhed opened his mouth, thought better of it, and closed it, then nodded quickly.
“Hnngh,” I grunted, dropping him unceremoniously to the ground.
In the distance, deep gongs sounded as the bells of the Court rang, signaling to any who resided in The Place Behind that the Court was soon to be in session.
Which was where I had to be. Not there, in a building with a cock I couldn’t get to deflate, all because of a rogue human woman.
“Useless,” I snapped at the air, striding across the room. “She’s nothing. Nobody. I would break her simply by breathing.”
My breathing calmed somewhat but refused to settle fully. The anger that had burned as bright as the desire for the strange woman continued to rumble inside me, a volcanic temper ready to go off with the slightest provocation. Howdarea human affect me like that? She had no right.
The gongs continued, reminding me of the duty I’d volunteered to uphold. I was no shirker. Regardless of what was happening inside me, I would take my place on the Jury as if it were any other day.
“Come on,” I hissed, snatching Abhed and storming from the building.
At some point, the tenants who’d run cowering when I’d entered would re-emerge, but they were the least of my worries. I was well-known in The Place Behind for a reason.
I stomped down the streets, various creatures taking care to move from my path. One hapless wood elf was a little too slow and took a hip to the shoulder for their troubles. They started to protest but quieted once they realized who it was that had hit them.
I snorted as they danced out of the way, long brown hair floating effortlessly behind them.
