Page 211 of Jagged Souls

“Three.

“Two.”

“Rudy!” Varius shouts, then screams again, so much pure agony erupting from his soul.

I smile as I step up to his brother. I wish I could drag this out more, but Terra told me Rudy’s magic was becoming unstable. She’s been taking blood samples from him every week to keep an eye on his chaos magic. If I don’t kill him today, he could take out this entire ship. Enemies and allies alike.

I stab the needle into Rudy’s neck.

Varius screams, raw rage and terror ripping out of his lungs. He will blame himself for his brother’s death, but in truth, this was never about him having a choice. I merely want him to suffer. Rudy would’ve died either way – either as a choice or as a punishment for Varius having chosen Dayne. But Dayne would’ve lived because my mate likes him, and I would never hurt her.

“Have fun watching him die,” I say. “He will ooze from every orifice, but it won’t be blood that comes out. He’ll be melting from the inside, the disease destroying every organ and bone, every tendon and muscle he has, and all thatgoowill slosh out of his mouth and ears and eyes.”

Varius struggles to get free so fiercely that he manages to rip both his arms off the bed. The nails are embedded in his skin, into his bone.

I look over at Eduardo. “Heal him. I don’t want him dying anytime soon.”

The witch pales as he looks at me.

“He’s tied down with witch’s snares. Stop being a pussy and get over there.”

Eduardo gulps, but he does as he’s told.

I turn to Dayne. “Thank you for playing along.” I speak loud enough for Varius to hear me even over his screams, knowing this will destroy him even more. He chose to save a traitor, and because of his decision, his brother is melting from the inside out. “Your acting was fantastic,” I say.

He smiles back at me. “I learned from the best.”

I undo his binds. He hops off the chair. “Where is she?”

Micha told me how much he mattered to her a couple weeks ago, that he and her sister were the two she wanted to save from the Shadow Domain. So I tracked him down, then brought him here as a surprise. I’m looking forward to seeing her eyes light up like they used to.

Her sister is being harder to get to, but I will save her in time. I will be Micha’s god in every prayer she directs at me. “In our room.” I turn for the door to lead him to her.

Rudy convulses with a gurgle of blood pouring down his lips. Varius cries, and I stop for a moment just to enjoy it.

“That’s some serious shit,” Dayne says. “Is it infectious?”

“No. It’d be too dangerous then.”

“So it’s safe for me to get a closer look?”

I smile, able to see why Micha likes him. Gallows humor is something we always shared. As much as I want to trust him simply because she does though, I keep my senses well tuned to him. If he even tries to sign a spell into existence, I will have to bind his hands.

Then I will work on convincing him he wants to stay here, just like I did Micha. What my mate wants, she’ll get.

I nod at Rudy. “Be my guest.”

He steps up to him, moving around to the side of his chair. “Fascinating,” he murmurs as he places both his hands on Rudy’s head, one on each side, and tilts it up so he can get a better look.

“I’m going to kill you!” Varius screams. He’s trying to rip the witch’s snare off his neck, but nothing can break that golden chain.

Eduardo jumps back nervously. “What if he gets free –”

“He can’t,” I say. His fear is so fucking annoying. But I don’t need him for much longer. After I find the recipe for Greek fire –still wanting to venture into the Underworld so I can check Micha is really Siome. Though I know she is deep in my soul, I would never be able to forgive myself if I got duped by a Shadow whore– I will be taking Micha into Blo´dyrio´ and never coming back. There, we will make a life together. Or I will kill her if she isn’t Siome.

But I know she is.

I can feel it in my bones.