Page 91
Story: Devoured By Shadows
The presence billowed out into the room. As she breathed, the air grew thick, and her lungs became heavy, unable to bear the weight of this strange presence.
This demon.
“Elias showed me that not all demons are evil,” she managed, still struggling to breathe. “But he’s not a greater demon. Theycreatedthe demons that plague the mortal realm. So many have diedbecause of what they’ve spawned.”
“Oh?” His tone sounded like he was placating a foolish child. “Are your hands clean of blood, niece?”
That one word struck her harder than a blow ever could.
He knew.
“The Everdark told me of our blood ties,” he said, answering her unspoken question.
Face flushing as she struggled to take another breath, she said, “How would a demon know about my lineage when I don’t?”
He gestured to the stone slab before them. “Ask him.”
For a moment, she hesitated, her eyes lingering on the impenetrable dark hovering at the base of the unnatural slab of stone. It was far too angular, too perfect in dimensions to have been chiseled by hand.
This was made with magic.
And it was the perfect shape for a body to be placed atop it.
A sacrifice.
Arden believed he’d discovered true power, which meant that this greater demon could either make bargains or bestow power on others.
Elias was different, she thought.This demon could be different, too.
Didn’t she owe it to Elias and her family in Shadowbank to at least hear Arden out? She was desperate for power and allies. If she turned down the opportunity to speak with the Everdark, perhaps the prince wouldn’t consider allying with her or marching against Magnus.
But the idea of speaking with a greater demon filled her with dread. The parts of her that were an enchantress railed at the very notion of speaking to one rather than immediately seeking a way to end its existence.
As she took a step toward the altar, a single conviction filled her. She’d do anything for her mate.
Even ally herself with a demon.
Then she was before the slab of stone. No, not just stone, she realized. It was an altar.
They worshipped this demon.
“Lie down,” the prince said somewhere behind her. “Offer yourself to him.”
Lowering herself onto the stone, she immediately felt the cold through her leathers.
Show me what you can do, she thought.And if you don’t have a way to help Elias, I’ll kill you myself.
The impenetrable shadows in the corners of the room swelled before moving toward her. Swallowing back her fear, she forced herself to remain still as the shadows descended. A strange pressure surrounded her body—first her legs, then her stomach and chest, until it was everywhere.
Then a voice as deep and unfathomable as the Abyss entered her mind.
Hello, granddaughter.
Chapter Twenty
ARABELLA
The darkness was all around, filling her mouth and throat. It was so thick that Arabella couldn’t breathe.
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91 (Reading here)
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114
- Page 115
- Page 116
- Page 117
- Page 118
- Page 119
- Page 120
- Page 121
- Page 122
- Page 123
- Page 124
- Page 125
- Page 126
- Page 127
- Page 128