Page 111 of A Monstrous World: The Complete Series

Chapter Twelve

Nadia

B eing a shadowborn witch isn’t anything all that special.

I get a few shadow powers, but for the most part, they’re darker than I’m comfortable using.

Any variety of witch can have shadows; it’s determined by where we’re born under the moon cycle, but certain abilities or affinities tend to stick to their own sides.

For example, seers and fertility witches tend to have lightbringer affinities. It’s not impossible for either to be shadowborn, but it is rare. It’s one of the things that makes me stand out as pretending to be a fertility witch, because they don’t normally come with shadows.

Blood witches are more likely to be shadowborn, but it’s not enough of a guarantee that it outs my magic.

All witches are some balance of light and dark.

It’s impossible to tell where someone falls on the spectrum just because they have light or shadow abilities.

Unlike the fae, who are born with their alignment already decided, either Seelie or Unseelie, a witch tends to ebb and flow into each side throughout their life.

If we do more light magic, then our soul becomes lighter.

If we focus on dark magic, it leaves a stain on the soul. Not all dark magic is inherently evil or bad, but it does tend to be worked for personal gain and without concern for the repercussions on the world.

My soul is very confused at the moment.

A large part of me is horrified by the thought of having a vessel.

The other, dark and dirty, part is dangerously intrigued.

My magic flirtatiously slides over Imogen’s skin. Which is kind of strange, because my magic is literally an extension of myself. Sometimes it fixates on things I have no interest in. It’s why I view it as a separate entity, even though Nan swears that’s impossible.

Shadows circle Imogen, and as soon as they disappear under her skin, I can see something...

I never know how to describe a person’s soul. Maybe it’s just her heart, or even her power, since there’s a lot of debate on whether vampires are soulless creatures.

Imogen is ancient, and I don’t mean that in an insulting way. There are more sire bonds flowing from her than I’ve ever seen. A fair number of them have been severed, but her side of the connection is still evident.

Her soul? Power cavity? Heart? I don’t know, but it’s clear she’s not an especially good monster, even for a vampire.

Her aura is dark in a way that suggests she’s a bold and powerful woman. She’s distrustful of others, even those who have given her unwavering loyalty.

“Get on with it,” Imogen hisses. Her hands clench at her sides, like she’s bracing for the inevitable pain.

My magic plucks the different strings. I’m pretty sure it’s testing the strands to determine which one is Echo’s, but honestly, that’s just a guess.

I’m able to pick out his string with little difficulty, so I don’t know why my power is feeling particularly coy about doing the damn thing.

Echo’s line starts a brownish-black, like all of her sire bond strands, but the farther away from Imogen it gets, it transforms into a dark orangey-red.

My magic is still doing its own thing and completely ignoring my instructions. It’s not like I can verbally say do this or do that .

Nan swears magic isn’t its own entity, but to me, it’s like a stubborn twitch or when your leg goes to sleep and you try to tell it to walk and instead you nearly fall.

We’re connected, but magic is wild and unpredictable.

My shadows eventually comply and swarm Echo’s sire bond.

Imogen gasps as the cord severs.

Echo whooshes out a breath against my shoulder. He rarely breathes, so feeling the cool exhale against my skin is unexpected.

My magic apparently understands what needs to be done next, because the giant cloud of dark swirling smoke flows out of Imogen and splits into two pieces. Half careens into Echo, and the rest pulses as it flows inside me.

Echo looks utterly bewildered for half a second while my smoke, instead of diffusing through his skin, pours down his open mouth. The pang in my heart is unexpected.

“Bite me,” I say, my voice echoing with my power.

Echo stares at me for several painful seconds before he zips forward. Moving my hair to the side, he strikes my throat without further confirmation.

The pain sizzles like fire before evaporating into mind-blowing pleasure.

This is so not the place to have an unsolicited orgasm.

“Stop,” I hiss.

Echo doesn’t immediately comply. The flick of his cool tongue over my warm skin is tantalizing. My nipples bead, and my pussy throbs with his venom.

As his fangs retract, I’m teetering precariously on the edge. His tongue flicks over the wound, and he looks like he’s heaving breaths.

Which makes no sense, because he doesn’t have to breathe, but it does make me feel pretty damn pleased with myself. Although I’m not sure why.

“I need to drink from you,” I say in that tone that indicates it’s not just me speaking.

“Go on,” he says, raising an eyebrow, like I’m being purposely slow or difficult.

“I have a pin I use when I need to do magic.” Yanking the pin out of its compartment, I hold it up, showing Echo.

I’m not sure if he realizes I have fangs. Here’s hoping he meant what he said about being a team. He nods his agreement, and my magic hums in approval. I stagger forward like I’m wasted.

I don’t even care if I look like an idiot because, once I’m no longer compelled, this town can officially blow me.

My instincts scream not to let this council know about my oddities. I’m completely on board with that plan of action.

I’m having a serious conversation with Octavia as soon as I get the chance. She sent me here. She can sure as hell send reinforcements to get me out safely.

Echo bends his head low, and I position my mouth close to his throat. The pin slides over his skin, and my mouth immediately latches on to his neck. I will my embarrassingly tiny baby fangs to stay hidden.

Magic soars through my system with every swallow of his blood.

Echo groans as my tongue flicks over the wound. The skin begins to knit itself back together almost immediately, and I pull away. My chest heaves as magic hums through my entire body.

“Complete the fucking ritual,” Imogen hisses, glaring at me. God, she’s really intimidating with the veins on her neck bulging and that cold, dead look in her eyes.

This wasn’t my idea. Why the hell is she looking at me like that?

My mouth opens to tell her the ritual is complete, but my magic pulses with displeasure. Okay, then, it feels like being a bratty teenager today, despite the fact I’m closer to thirty than I am to twenty-five.

“Get on with it,” Constantine says.

“I invoke the bonds that tether.” My eyes meet Echo’s.

“I accept the bonds that tether.” His stare bores into mine. It’s actually a rather intimate moment, despite the council witnessing it.

The warm, fuzzy feeling that fills my chest as we gaze at each other makes me uncomfortable. I shake my head, blowing out a breath.

Why did old blood witches pick the most cliché sayings ever created to end their bindings? My mouth itches to explain that wasn’t necessary at all , but I think I’m trying to distract myself from how closely I just bound myself to an unknown vampire.

“Was it successful?” Warren’s words ring with the power of his compulsion.

My chest aches with the urge to tell him to suck a dick. My mouth involuntarily responds. “It was.”

“Yes,” Echo agrees.

“Give us a demonstration.” Valaine leans forward in her chair. She’s finally interested in this clusterfuck of a meeting, and only once I’ve stripped Echo of his free will. I’m going to need to burn this council to the ground on my way out of town. “Come on, then.”

My eyes fly to hers and my eyebrows raise. Really? He’s not a fucking pet. He’s a person. Maybe a soulless person—I’m really not sure about that. It doesn’t matter. It’s not right to play with someone’s free will.

My magic literally will not let me speak as I try to instruct Echo to tell his town council to blow me. It also won’t let me have him tell Imogen to go suck on another lemon. Apparently, it’s also not okay with having Echo rip out Constantine’s throat.

Huh, today sucks worse than yesterday.

I thought the disaster with the wolves was bad.

“Now.” Warren isn’t screwing around. He pours his dominance into the command, and my system jolts with my inability to ignore it.

“Give me a piggyback ride.” I shrug at the frown on Imogen’s face.

Valaine scoffs.

Echo gives me a frustrated look. I’ve sent exactly zero demand with my words, but he knows as well as I do that we have to fake it.

He lifts me easily and maneuvers me onto his back. He doesn’t squat in front of me so that I can climb up. No, he hefts me with little effort and spins me over his shoulder. His hands proprietarily grip my ass as he walks us several steps up to the table. He bends low in respect.

“Put me down,” I tell him.

He quickly follows my instructions.

“You’ll begin working on the ward today,” Warren says. “Start at the peaks. The ward is thinnest there, and several human hikers have mistakenly stumbled inside the barrier.”

“The surrounding areas have noticed a spike in missing and deceased adventurists.” Imogen’s face breaks into a cutting smile.

“Give her the list of closing commands.” Constantine smirks like he won something.

Warren glances down at a sheet of paper. “Do not leave North Falls. Do not speak of this meeting to anyone outside the sanctuary ward. If you run into trouble, you are to tell them you are doing work on behalf of the council and direct any problems to Echocio.”

My system jolts with each command. My hands clench with each additional instruction.

“You will not call for help or alert any friends or family to what happened here today. If you speak to anyone from Haven, you’re to tell them whatever they need to hear to let the matter drop. You will put them at ease and stay uncommitted when asked of your future plans to return home.”

I get a small pulse of excitement; the vaguer the terms, the easier it’ll be to twist the command.

My magic buzzes lightly, but I’m pretty sure one of the council, or Garth, has the ability to mute magic.

I’ve never seen a monster with that gift before, but that is the only thing that makes any sense.

“I’ll handle it,” I agree.

Compulsion is nearly impossible to fight. I’ve never had such an ancient vampire issue a compulsory command. It’s like an itching in my mind when I try to brainstorm ways around what he just instructed.

“We’ll let you get to it.” Constantine grins viciously. “Expect an invitation in two weeks’ time. Sooner, if you fail to meet expectations.”

Echo bows his head. I’m well versed in protocol, but my shock makes me slow to react. Imogen cuts her eyes to me, and I quickly dip my head in pretend reverence to their status.

They swiftly exit the room, and Garth appears at my side.

“They seem worse than they really are,” he says in his melodically sexual tone.

“I’d love to show you around town when you have time.

” He shoves his veiny hands into the front pocket of his jeans, and I remind myself that he’s on the opposite side of this war.

Yeah, he’s ridiculously hot, but this is clearly a setup. God, this town is gross.

“Thank you for the offer.” I force a smile. I’m sure he’s been instructed to seduce me. I guess one council spy wasn’t enough? My magic playfully teases his skin. “Give me a chance to get settled in. It’s going to be a solid bit of time setting up the ward before I can focus on maintenance.”

“Understandable,” Garth says, rocking on the heels of his boots. “We’ll touch base soon.”

Echo growls low in his chest. The next thing I know, he’s lifting me and wrapping me around the front of his strong form.

He moves faster than my eyes can track. Everything slides by in fuzzy images and hazy shapes.

It’s several minutes later when I’m slammed against the wall just inside the door to the apartment where I’m staying.

“You know he’s a fucking plant from the council,” he says, staring straight into my eyes. He’s so close, his lips practically ghost over mine. “Do you want to die? Have you got an urge to cease to exist? Did I get stuck with the only suicidal blood witch to come to town so far?”

Blinking up at him, I try to refocus my eyes. Witches aren’t meant to zip around at vampire speeds. He’s lucky I didn’t puke all over him.

“He was tasked with trying to seduce me,” I say, rolling my eyes and giving his chest a little shove. He doesn’t release me. Instead, his cool forehead dips to rest against mine. “I get that.”

“We’re fucking doomed,” he mutters as his eyes slide shut.

“Yeah? Whose fault is that?” I snap. “You set me up so freaking bad. I did the best I could. If I’m confrontational, it will immediately set off red flags. I’d rather pretend to be agreeable until I understand what I’ve walked into.”

Echo sighs, nodding against my cheek. “I need to feed before you drain me dry. Do not leave my apartment.” He pulls me off the wall, setting me down on the couch as my mouth hangs open.

“This is your apartment?”

“Didn’t you check the closet? You know what? I’m going to eat. Don’t leave.”

An uncomfortable prickle runs through me at the thought of Echo feeding from someone who isn’t me.

My gut tightens with an unfamiliar pang.

I liked the way he felt with his body pressed against mine as he held me against the wall.

Something inside me doesn’t like the idea of him being that close to anyone else.

The tether pulls tight between us. His cool hands rest against my lower thighs as he leans close. My nose twitches with his fresh scent. He studies me with a look I can’t decipher. My chest rises and falls rapidly while his jaw grows tighter.

I’ve never been territorial over anyone, except Sam, and even that was a recent development.

No matter how badly this situation sucks for me, it has to be even worse for Echo.

The town council essentially forced him to be my walking, talking magic reservoir.

It’s shitty on a level you don’t see often in the modern world.

He doesn’t say a word as his eyebrow arches, as if he’s waiting for me to object.

I’d pretty much rather die than admit how much I want to command him to stay. He scoffs, spinning and striding out on long legs.

“Thanks, asshole. You totally promised to feed me if I cooperated,” I grumble, tossing myself back into the couch cushion.