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“And two, yeah, this is dangerous shit. You want to rescue your soulmate and kill that asshole Thief while you’re at it. I’m not even sure how you’re supposed to do that. What I do know is that you need a sorceress to help you out. I like frightening scary creatures and messing shit up in general. I’m coming with you.”

I hem and haw as the two of us stand there in the hallway. I mean, Temper is my ride or die bitch. And there’s no one better to have at your side than an angry sorceress when facing down an enemy of epic proportions.

But the thing is, the Thief has seemingly boundless power and influence.

“Temper, I don’t know how this is going to turn out, and I don’t want—”

I don’t want you to die.

She raises her eyebrows. “You actually think this fucktard freak could take me out? Now Iamoffended.” Her eyes briefly blaze with power.

Ugh, she’s impossible.

“Fine, come with me then.” Not going to fight with her over this.

She lets out a low laugh, her tongue running over her lower lip. I might love this lady, but right now Temper lookssinister.

“Girl,” she says, “let’s make that bastardpay.”

“I need weapons. Lots and lots of weapons,” I order one of my guards as Temper and I head towards my rooms. “And battle leathers. Bring enough for the two of us.”

The sorceress, for her part, is practically glowing with her excitement. She’s got a healthy appetite for revenge, this one.

Temper and I enter my chambers, and I try not to shudder at the sight of the rooms. I keep expecting Des to appear at any moment, his wry voice at my back.

But I’m not going to hear him or see him—not until I save him.

Several minutes later, a couple Night soldiers come to my chambers, their arms full of a wide variety of weapons and armor. They deposit the goods on the bed and retreat.

Once the door closes behind them, Temper and I begin to change.

Since Des isn’t here to magically help, suiting up takes a good ten minutes. As the two of us fasten and buckle on the battle leathers, we begin to arm ourselves—a sword here, a dagger there.

I slide my trusted daggers into their sheaths on either side of my hips while Temper picks up a double-headed axe.

“Look,” she says, “it’s lady-sized for my wee woman fingers.”

I snicker. The weaponissmall. Temper slides the axe into a holster at her back. Guess its wee size works.

I finish cinching up a thigh holster and straighten.

There’s no more fear. I went from sorrow to desperation, to numbness, and now this.

Cold, hard determination.

Essence to essence. Breath for breath. I’ve been chipped away of my weaknesses. This is what’s beneath.

Dead or not, I’m getting my mate back, and so help the gods, I will bring down the universe if I have to.

Till darkness dies, Des.

Two hours later, Temper and I are standing in front of a moaning Galleghar, his body coated in a clear mucous-like substance, which I can only assume is the bog’s stomach acid.

The bog, for its part, is safely tucked away in the same unassuming box Des once released it from.

I frown down at Galleghar, who’s holding his head.

“Get up,” I command, my skin glowing.