Page 44 of The Ballad of the Vampire Prince

This is such a meaningless act. Why would it matter? They’re just plants.

But I can’t bear to watch the limp girl carry on with the heavy lifting.

“Let me—”

Before I can offer Rhianelle my help, shadows pulse around us, gaining a life of their own. This is the work of none other than Coinneach, one of the Night Lords sacrificed to the Rhunhraefn. A fiend that arises from the deepest bowels of hell.

That vile being is now heading straight towards Rhianelle. She has her back turned, completely unaware of the incoming danger.

My heart crashes in my chest.

Stop!I command the bastard.

I was careless and now I can’t shut him down. He morphs his silhouettes into the hulking figure of a man—into me. At least that means he carries my weight. I can tackle the beast to subdue him. But he’s far too close to the girl. Any sudden movement may endanger her.

Shit.

Coinneach creeps behind Rhianelle silently, tapping her back. My breathing stalls. One slash to her throat is all it would take for him to end her. I’ve seen him do it to my enemies multiple times.

The horrific act I predicted does not happen.

The Lord of Night bows to her instead.

Rhianelle blinks at his gesture.

I can only imagine the fear running through her mind as she stares at the moving void.

No voice,the demon points to his throat.

The girl nods understandably.

My lungs compressed with terror with every second that passes.

“Svenn…?” She spins to look at me. I expect hostility or fear when I meet her eyes, but it’s not there.

Rhianelle is looking back with excitement. “I think your shadow is trying to speak to me.”

Behind her back, Coinneach shifts into the shape of a man hanged on a noose, then points at me.

Don’t you dare badmouth me to her,he threatens me.

Rhianelle whirls towards the demon and he turns into a gentleman once again. She approaches him as carefully as she would approach a shy bird perched on her balcony. “Do not be afraid. I’m not going to harm you.”

Of all the things I thought she would say, I did not expect that.

I don’t know how Rhianelle manages to be so calm in the wake of this terrible monster.

Allow me to lend you a hand, sweet girl,he signs.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t get that,” she says, giggling.

So, he shows her what he meant.

Shadows ripple wildly from every dark corner of the garden. The wispy tendrils move towards another vase and starts tugging it.

Rhianelle clasps her hands to her mouth. “Wait… Are you trying to help me?”

The Lord of Night nods eagerly to her.