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“Why me?” I asked, my question double-sided.

The answer would prove another one of my theories.

“Because you are power in Duncan’s eyes,” Duwar replied simply. “He saw the true reflection of what I am, not what the world has made you believe me to be.”

My skin itched as Duwar – ever desperate – tried to manipulate me into this lie of theirs. “You are wrong.”

“Then you tell me what you think is the correct explanation.”

I swallowed hard, longing to claw Duwar out of Duncan with my bare hands. “I think you glamoured yourself to trick Duncan into your web. You showed him an illusion of me to lure him in. Forever hiding the truth of your darkness. Desperation made you pick the only fly that was unfortunate enough to get tangled in your web. Now you have finished with that feast, you are looking for the next.”

“Perspective is interesting, is it not?” Duncan turned his head, eyes never leaving me. “You are told that something is evil, and you believe it so willingly.”

Ice itched across my skin, begging for release. “You’re killing Duncan, that is proof enough for me.”

“No, we have already come to the conclusion thatyouare the one killing him. I have told you how you can save him, but still you hesitate. Make the decision now, and he will be saved.”

I leaned in close, showing I didn’t fear the demon-god, proving that it should fear me. “Why should I believe you will not do the same to me, if I accept your offer?”

“Because you arefey.”

I leaned back, brushing the comment off with a hand. “That isn’t enough of an explanation.”

“Your body can heal at a rate that is incomparable to a human’s. I never had a hand in creating the humans, and if I had, they would have certainly been stronger than whateverthisis.”

The deranged laugh that burst out of me caught Duwar by surprise. “The fey belong to Altar. The humans to the Creator. We all know the stories.”

“And yet you never heard of Duwar,” Duwar said, Duncan and the demon’s voices tanged as one. The unnatural sound grated on my soul. “There is much you do not understand, possibilities that you would never have even believed. I cannot blame you for your impertinence, but I do pity you.”

“Pity me?” I echoed. “It would seem you’re confused. You’re the powerless one here. All those years locked away, and you find freedom only to face death. Duncan is mortal, which means you will suffer the same as he does.”

It clicked into place – the one detail I’d contemplated since this hell began. Duwar lifted Duncan’s lips into a knowing smile, as if they read my mind.

“You thought Duncan was fey, didn’t you?” I asked, chest aching from the beat of my heart. “You saw his power and took your chance for escape, inside him.”

“As you previously pointed out, I was desperate.” Duwar looked down at the body tied in iron to the bed, pity flashing in his burning eyes. “Does it pain you to look and see what your prolonging is causing.”

“Duncan would want me to let you die.”

“But what doyouwant, Robin Icethorn?”

I opened my mouth but closed it again. The answer was simple. I might’ve said it, but my actions thus far already proved my intentions. I wanted Duncan alive and well. This was my fault. I was the only one who deserved to suffer for helping open the gate.

Peace. I wanted peace.

“Choosing this body, instead of that gryvern who shadows you, was a mistake I will regret. One you will also regret if you do not help me vacate him,” Duwar said, the pleading in its tone more pronounced than it had been before. “You think I am evil, but I am not. I am whatever you want me to be, whatever you use me for. A sword can be used for murder, or decoration. I am the sword, now you must decide my use.”

“No, you are ademon.”

Duwar used Duncan’s body like a puppeteer and shrugged. “I tried to show you, and still you turn your back to me.”

I closed my eyes, watching the scene play out as Duncan had used Duwar to spread life over the ruins of Imeria castle. It had happened when we returned to Imeria, but that wasn’t all. There was another part of my return which I had not thought of since, because I made a promise to someone to forget it… forgetthem.

Duwar’s display was yet more tricks – more illusions to lure me into the same web that Duncan had found himself bound in.

“Enough of your tricks,” I snapped. “You message is clear. You need me in order to survive, and so the choice is in my hands.”

“Exactly. I need you, and you need to accept me willingly, if you want Duncan to live.”