Page 25

Drawing a shaky breath, I press on. The swirling lights intensify, forming a shimmering wall. A deep hum resonates, stirring the runes that line the pillars. I lift my dagger, not sure it’ll help. As I approach, an even greater wave of dread slams into me, almost physical in its force. My skin prickles with goosebumps. I sense a presence behind that barrier—something that hungers for fear.

My mind conjures the darkest memory I possess, the moment I was chosen as a sacrifice, pinned to the altar, waiting for a demon to devour me. This time, the memory warps, twisting into the image of a monstrous, looming silhouette. Its horns stretch impossibly far, eyes glowing with black fire. My throat constricts.Malphas…or a corrupted version of him.Fear ignites in my veins, but I bite it back.

The silhouette roars, brandishing claws as tall as I am. I can’t outrun it. So I square my shoulders, forcing the memory to flicker. “I’ve already faced you,” I whisper to the phantom. “And I survived.”

I step forward, defying the silhouette. My dagger trembles in my hand, but I move relentlessly, heart hammering. The figure snarls, lunging with shadowy talons—only to pass through me like smoke. I keep walking, passing through the swirling barrierof violet lights. A burst of cold air envelops me, prickling every inch of my skin. I stagger out the other side.

I stand in the original cavern, the illusions stripped away. The pillars remain, but they’re no longer monstrous. Faint arcs of runic power fade into the gloom, receding like an ebb tide.

Suddenly, I realize I’m drenched in sweat. My chest burns with each ragged breath. My vision swims. I steady myself, gripping a stalagmite. Footsteps echo. Malphas steps into the clearing, crossing the chamber with predatory grace.

Our eyes lock. He cocks his head, an unreadable expression in his molten gaze. “You made it,” he says, voice quieter than I expect.

I want to snap a retort—Of course I did—but I’m too drained. Instead, I swallow the lump in my throat, attempting to sound steadier than I feel. “Was that supposed to scare me off?”

He exhales, wings shifting in a slow ripple. “It was meant to test your limits. And your resolve.”

I let out a harsh laugh, more a bark than anything. “Well, you have your answer.”

Silence settles between us. Then he lifts a hand, palm up, chaos flame dancing at his fingertips. It’s subdued, not an attack. The swirling black tendrils reflect against the glossy stone, casting eerie patterns. “This flame reveals how close you came to succumbing. Let’s see…”

The flame flickers, forming a faint image—a silhouette of me enduring the illusions. My posture staggers, my face contorted, but I persist. The flames settle into an ember, flickering out. Malphas’ lips curl in what might be grudging admiration.

“You’re either stubborn enough to kill yourself, or you have a resilience I rarely see,” he remarks.

I prop my hands on my hips, still breathless. “Which is it?”

His expression shifts, frustration and fascination mingling. “I haven’t decided yet.”

He steps closer, near enough that I catch the heat radiating from his massive frame. His horns nearly brush the overhead stalactites. I notice fresh tension in the set of his shoulders, as if he’s grappling with an impulse he can’t name.

“You said you wanted to roam my fortress,” he murmurs. “Fine. You’ve proven you can handle some illusions.” He lifts a clawed finger in warning. “That doesn’t mean you have free rein to poke around every warded chamber. If you run into something dangerous, I’m not guaranteeing another rescue.”

Part of me bristles—he calls that illusions “some illusions”? But I nod, forcing an air of casualness. “I’ll watch my step. And…thanks for not letting them tear my mind apart.”

A flicker of surprise crosses his face, swiftly replaced by a haughty tilt of his head. “Don’t misunderstand. I merely want you intact for our goals. Your demise in there would have been inconvenient.”

I roll my eyes.Of course.My shoulders slump with exhaustion, tension draining from my limbs. “So, is that it for my ‘test’? Or is there more?”

A low chuckle rumbles in his throat. “Oh, you’ve only tasted the fortress’s amusements. There’s plenty more here to break or shape you. Perhaps next time, we’ll see how you fare against real foes, not illusions.”

I clench my jaw. “I’m not a toy for your amusement.”

“Then stop being so entertaining,” he retorts, a spark of dark humor in his crimson gaze.

Before I can snap back, a scuttling noise announces the arrival of lesser demons crowding near the chamber’s entrance. A Trolvor and two Zonaks, likely drawn by the disturbance or curious about my survival. Their eyes glint with speculation. One Zonak inches closer, sniffing the air. I glare at it, brandishing the dagger.I’m not about to be the fortress’s next meal.

Malphas lifts his chin. “They come to see if you’re still breathing. They’re learning you’re under my protection—or do you wish to correct them?”

I grit my teeth, aware these demons see me as either prey or a curiosity. Something about Malphas’s tone suggests he wants me to prove my place. Anger coils in my chest at the idea of parading like a “pet,” but if I show weakness, the lesser demons might decide to test me.

I square my shoulders, glaring at the Trolvor. “You heard him,” I say boldly, voice echoing. “I’m not open for a snack.”

The Trolvor hisses, tail twitching. Malphas lets out a low, cold laugh. “You see, she’s mine.” His voice resonates through the cavern. “Touch her without my consent, and you answer to me.”

The Trolvor’s nostrils flare, but it backs down. The Zonaks skitter in compliance, flattening themselves to the floor. My chest tightens at the spectacle—like I’m some favored possession displayed before a pack of wild beasts. But I keep my expression impassive.Better their fear than an attempt on my life.

Malphas’s gaze slides to me, measuring my reaction. He steps forward, hooking a claw under my chin, tilting my face up to his. The gesture forces me to meet his scorching eyes. My pulse jumps at his touch. It reminds me how easily he could snap my neck, but also how he withheld that lethal strength.