Page 67 of Ringmaster
Victim number two is in the washroom. We’re all alone when I apparate from thin air in my demonic form, face unrecognizable. When he turns to defend himself, I drive my dagger clean through his heart, then reach in to rip it from his chest and devour it whole. His body slumps to the ground. Two down, one to go. I barely tasted their fear. Pathetic. I step over his body, vanishing into shadow once more, in search of my final victim.
He’s sitting alone at a table, watching a few girls dance. This one’s going to be loads of fun. When he lifts his glass to drink, my shadows dive in through his mouth. I slither into his mind. On the table in front of him, my dagger appears—glowing and ready.
“Pick it up,” I whisper into his mind.
He tries to fight it, but he’s no match for me. I repeat, calm and steady, “Pick up the dagger.”
He obeys.
“Hold it to your throat. I damn you to Hell for all eternity, Frank. Now slice your throat.”
My host body resists. I force my shadows through his nerves, seizing full control of the pathetic human. The blade hums as it slips under his jaw.
Satisfied, I burst through the wound, splattering blood everywhere on my exit—relishing in the tangy bits I gulp down. My work here is done. I’m headed to the factory next.
I arrive in no time, flying through the streets and in through an open window. The first man is on the second level, overseeing a large vat of melted metal. One little push—as I quickly stab the dagger into his neck and shove him over the railing—and he vanishes into the molten surface. It happens in the blink of an eye. Screams erupt from all around me. Chaos ensues, making it even easier to sneak up on my final victim.
I appear behind him, slice clean across his neck, and shove him into the machinery. His body is shredded, spraying parts everywhere. I lick the blood from my dagger, sheathe it, and walk out of the factory completely unnoticed. I hope Jacob has the day he deserves—panicking that he’ll be next. I snap my fingers, fresh clothes covering me, as I stroll back toward the circus gates to prepare for the evening’s show.
The tingle of ancient magic rushing through my veins confirms what I already know: I’ve successfully damned every single man who dared to touch what’s mine. Their filthy sins are purged from her now. Her body is hers once more. Ready to give, totake, to ruin me with if she wants. I can finally claim her, consummating our bond forever. Tomorrow, she’ll be mine in every sense.
When I cross the barrier, I feel the familiar pull of magic curling around me. The circus welcomes me back with stroke after stroke of tainted magic, lapping against my skin. It calms my nerves, taming the monster who grows stronger with every kill. In response, the runes on the dagger glow. I glance around—the afternoon is fading fast. Soon, the grounds will be alive with people arriving for tonight’s performance.
For now, it would seem the Ringmaster isn’t around. A relief—he’s not happy about Mercy being here. Eventually, the conflict will come to an end. I’ve seen it in a dream sent by the Fates. One day soon, I’ll have to choose: submit to him or rise up and claim my rightful place, securing my destiny. But I’ve never stopped to consider what any of this will mean for Mercy. Suddenly, I find myself wondering…
The Ringmaster has told me, time and again, that love and destiny don’t go hand in hand. There’s no room for love in my fate—at least, that’s what he always said after discovering how much time we were spending together. Did he know even then? Was he trying to keep me from her all along? The thought unravels something in me. The more I consider it, the more everything begins to make sense. Could the Ringmaster have been working against my destiny this entire time? But what if he’s wrong? What if—for the right person, a soulmate maybe—love and destiny can coexist? I need them both. I won’t sacrifice one for the other. This is how it has to be… I’ll make it so. Even if it means challenging Destiny and confronting her myself.
The pain is nearly unbearable as a familiar tingle pulses down my bond with the Ringmaster—his summons hitting me full force a heartbeat later. I clutch my head, breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, fighting to keep the overwhelming rush of nausea at bay.
I whoosh into shadow, flying from the circus ring straight into the Ringmaster’s office, where he’s waiting with Lucifer once again. This is starting to feel redundant.
“My Lord,” I say, bowing deeply. “How can I be of service?”
The pain stops. Malicor pours us each a glass of whiskey from a half-empty decanter. I melt into a chair across from them as casually as possible—the last thing I need is a reprimand for my daytime activities.
“What are you up to, Azrael?” the Ringmaster growls, slamming his fist against the desk like a hammer.
Without hesitation, I reply, “I was staking out the horde of snatchers.”
“Excellent work, Azrael,” Lucifer says smoothly. “Since you’ve found the horde, I expect you’ll be delivering them this evening.”
Fuck. My night just got even longer. Good thing I don’t need more than a few hours’ rest to be at full strength. No matter what, Mercy’s fake father dies tonight.
“Not a problem. A deal’s a deal,” I reply, careful to keep my tone neutral.
My eyes threaten to snap into cold darkness, but I fight the urge. The Ringmaster is probing, trying to break through my shields to see if I’m lying—but I hold firm, denying him entry.
“Excellent,” he mutters through clenched teeth. “We wouldn’t want anything to happen to that pretty girl you’re keeping in the manor.”
“How wonderful, you’ve found your mate,” Lucifer adds, smiling.
Consumed by rage, I jump to my feet, fists clenched and gruesome fangs bared. “If anything happens to her—and I mean anything—you know what I’ll do.”
“Oh, you wouldn’t dare,” the Ringmaster hisses, but he falters. For a moment, his face is drenched in fear.
I grin. “Don’t try me. We both know my destiny has always been far greater than yours could ever be.”
“You’re so dramatic, Azrael. I won’t harm her.” He roars then, furious at being made a fool of in front of Lucifer. “I’ve told you before—love is not your destiny. There is no place for love where you belong.”
