Page 194 of A Fate in Flames

“FUCK!”

I paced like a caged animal before stopping abruptly.

A thought struck me.Hope blooming in my chest as I clutched stone tighter.

I drew in a deep breath and called her name.

“Zaheera.”

Silence stretched around me, unbroken save for the soft whistling of wind in the tress.

I called to her again, louder.

“Zaheera!”

Nothing.

No phantom fingers wrapping around my consciousness like a vice.No cold brush of ancient bitterness against my thoughts.

The world remained still.

I spun to Theo, triumph blazing in my features, and thrust the stone into his hands.My fingers resisted, reluctant to part with it, but I forced myself to let go.

He hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face before he took it.

I called her name again.This time she answered instantly.

“Tell me.”

I forced a plea into my tone, carefully constructing the right mix of desperation and determination.

“I think I might be getting close,” I lied.“The feeling is stronger now.”

She purred in satisfaction, the sound reverberating through my head like rolling waves.

“Good girl.Seems you only needed a little motivation.”

I wanted to tear her from my mind with my bare hands—to destroy the connection that bound us.

I wanted to kill her.

“I think it’ll take a few more days… and then, I will bind his soul.”

The promise tasted like poison.

“Please, Zaheera…” I whispered, my voice cracking.“Don’t hurt her.”

“So long as you hold up your end of the bargain, no harm will come to her, or anyone else for that matter.You forget, sweet girl, I am doing this to save your world.”

I clenched my jaw, pain bursting along my temples.“Yes, Zaheera.”

She revelled in my obedience—fed on my submission like a parasite drawing sustenance from its host.

Theo was frozen, the stone firm in his grip.I snatched it back, needing its power.Its shield.

“She can’t sense me,” I whispered.“As long as I hold the stone, I’m invisible.”

Tavrik’s brow furrowed.Fear crept into both his and Theo’s expressions.