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The endless, deep, dark hall. I didn’t know how long I’d end up wandering its depths, and she didn’t have time.

“Help,” I screamed again, taking a halting step forward. There had to be a way to get him here, to summon him, orsomething.

I ran my hands through my hair.

Lord ofShadows. He’d been using them to watch me through them. I narrowed my eyes at the inky darkness clinging to the walls.

“I know you’re watching. Come, please!”

Nothing happened. I expected something! I scrubbed my fingers through my long hair, exhaling sharply.

“What will you do for me?”

With a scream, I whirled to look at him, already standing inside the freezing room. He stood with his hands behind him. He stretched his wings out, and they fluttered.

“She’s dying,” I whispered, jerking my chin toward her.

He cocked his head and lazily looked at the woman.

“And?” I could only gawk in shock. For the life of me, I didn’t know why his callous response shocked me. This was a monster. “Her life means nothing to me.”

“Wait!” If I didn’t stop him, those shadows whipping around him would make him disappear. “I-I will give . . . you something.”

He stiffened, and his wings twitched. I could tell I’d caught his attention.

“A bargain?”

“Yes, a bargain,” I blurted.

He waved his hand, and the shadows began to gather.

“And what do you offer?” He cocked his head.

Her chest rattled with a ragged breath. I clasped my cross. She would die if she didn’t get medical attention. She neededhelp. There was no hope for me, and if I could save a life, then it was worthwhile.

“Anything. Just help her.” There was no magical glitter explosion with my declaration.

In two strides, he was at her side.

“Please no, don’t?—”

Just as quickly, his shadows dragged her upright and he sliced his claws through her arm, ripping the flesh to the bone all the way down to the palm of her hand with the ease of a hot knife slicing into butter.

She screamed in a way I’d never heard anyone scream before. I staggered back and leaned against the wall, nausea making me weak.

“Stop,” I wheezed. She thudded on the ground, flayed arm flopping to the side, the edges of her ripped skin jiggling.

He cocked his head, onyx eyes on me.

“She will bleed faster now.”

He flicked his claws and blood splattered across my cheek. The room spun and my knees gave out until I landed on my butt. She whimpered, her blood dripping on the ground with a rhythmic plop.

“She’s in pain,” I screamed. “Stop it.”

He bared his teeth in a macabre mimic of a grin. Suddenly, his shadows enveloped her. The sounds of wheezing reached my ears.

Her body emerged, emaciated, and shriveled. A husk of its former self. She was dead. The creature shivered like he’d thrown back a shot of tequila.