Page 8 of Consume Me
We told you someone had been here.
“You said it was your enemy.”
No, but the magic that brought this envelope has crossed paths with our enemy as recently as today.
It should be impossible for them to sense that, but I’ve learned not to question them. They might be evil assholes who crave death, but they aren’t liars.
I study the envelope, considering.
Before I can reach for it, the daggers whisper,Ah. Much better. There’s another option after all.
My throat tightens, and suddenly, looking inside that envelope is the last thing I want to do. “What is it?”
Our enemy will be at the ball.
“What ball? What are you talking about?”
Open it and see.
I stare at the envelope, then the daggers. They have sight just like I do. It’s how they identify their marks—locate them. Sometimes, I wonder if that’s why they chose me. I see death just like they do. The difference is, they see it because they cause it. Then again, at their behest, so do I.
It terrifies me to think how much I’m just like them after all.
Open it, mortal. Let us make a bargain.
“What bargain?” I demand, an impossible sort of hope leaping inside my chest. They’ve never offered a bargain before. Only absolute dominance of my mind and body.
But they don’t answer my question. Clearly waiting for me to obey first. I snatch the envelope and rip it open.
Inside is a single piece of translucent parchment with black script and an image of a black serpent at the top.
A night of mischief, magic, and mayhem awaits you.
You are cordially invited to the first All Hallows’ Eve Ball at Crossroads. Arrive by the stroke of ten, dressed in your finest enchantments, or forfeit your place.
Masks are optional. Secrets are not.
See you soon, Kendall Sage.
V
I let out a bitter snort because, at this point, my entire life is a secret. Then I toss the parchment aside and turn to glare at the daggers.
“You set this up?”
We did not. We merely see an opportunity.
An opportunity.
“What’s the bargain?” I ask quietly.
Attend the ball. Wield us against our greatest enemy. And we will release you.
My breath catches in my throat. “Are you serious?”
We do not joke, mortal.
I stare at the twin blades whose sentience is the baneof my existence—and hope burns in my chest. “If I take out this enemy of yours, you will let me go?”
