Page 43 of Monster Bride (Shadow Pact 2)

Quinn sat back down. Hope and fear warred on her face. “Can you bring me to him?”

I gestured to the room at large. “If we can escape. But I’m thinking that’s going to be harder than planned.”

“You never did think things through,” Willa said, still appraising me.

I gave her a small smile. “No. But from the sounds of things, we’re running out of time to take it slowly. I’m sure Mrak will amass what army he has and come for me. We were arguing as much before had Sylas appeared.”

“But Mrak doesn’t know Sylas’s true intentions?” Quinn said.

I shook my head. “No, he has no way to know. You’ve been with Sylas for years. What do you know about this god, Dakta?”

Quinn looked unsure. She picked at her fingertips and worried her lip. “Not much. They’re old, very savior-like. There’s a promise of peace after suffering and death. I guess Sylas is taking that a bit too seriously.”

“Just a little,” I said dryly. “He’s going to amass a bunch of pain and suffering here and pump himself full of power at the same time. Then he’ll go to Earth to do the same wherehesays Dakta was exiled and contained. How did our two worlds even end up connected in the first place?”

Quinn’s lips parted, but no words passed between them. “I don’t know.”

“Sylas needs to be stopped,” Willa said as she banged her fists on the table.

“I agree. It’s just a matter of how.” It wouldn’t be as simple as killing him. Sylas still had his supporters. And even if itwasas simple as killing him, doing so would be anything but simple with him being as paranoid as he was.

I had to make a nightsteel blade first, anyway.

“I’m going to agree to help him when he comes to collect us,” I said before turning to Quinn. “I hope I can trust you.”

Quinn shot a glare at Willa. “What about her? I believe you heard from my brother. If he went to you, he must trust you. But I don’t know this witch.”

Willa and I exchanged a look before I replied, “I trust this amazing, powerful witch with my life. Don’t out us.”

Quinn swallowed hard. Her fingers curled into fists for long seconds before she relaxed them. “Just tell me what you need me to do.”

“Nothing. Do nothing.” All Quinn needed to do was act normal, like nothing had changed because, at the moment, nothing had. “You’ll know when it’s time, and then I just need you to stay hidden and safe. Maybe help Willa.”

Willa cleared her throat.

“Helpeach other,” I amended.

The door to the dining room swung open and Sylas stalked on through. His dark hair was disheveled, his six eyes wild. “What are you helping each other with, hm?”

Arrogance. It was in his tone now, and it would absolutely be his downfall right alongside paranoia.

“I need their help to forge weapons for you,” I filled in before the other two spoke. “Willa was with me in Lazarus’s community. And Quinn is also very knowledgeable.”

About what, I wasn’t sure. But Sylas seemed to buy it because he nodded. “Whatever gets the job done. Just know that if you try anything—anythingat all—I won’t hesitate to kill them.”

“Right before my eyes, I’m aware.”

Sylas glared. I held my ground. “You can start forging weapons now. We leave in a few days for Earth, and I would like something special. Perhaps that sword Quinn’s brother wanted made.” Sylas held his chin. “Yes, maybe that indeed. So I can end my brother’s life for good this time.”

I swallowed hard. How had he known about that sword? And more importantly, did Sylas actually expect me to forge it? “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Sylas answered.

“It’s powerful,” I argued. “As are the runes needing to be forged into it. Making this weapon would have killed me as a human.” I hoped he didn’t see through the lie, or that I absolutely planned to make this very weapon.

“Then let us hope you’ll survive as one of us.” Sylas chuckled to himself. “You have until tomorrow morning to do so. We’ll need to take care of my brother before going to Earth. Now, let’s go.”

He charged forward and grabbed my arm, leading me away from Willa and Quinn without further ceremony.

I’d maybe be worried about Sylas’s request if I hadn’t already planned on forging that exact sword minus the ward against Mrak. But if Sylas really wanted me to forge it, at least I wouldn’t have to hide the progress.

Why did this all feel suddenly too easy then?

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