Page 129 of Their Blood Rite

Shaw’s on his knees.

‘Touch me again, dream walker, and we will end you.’ The voice that comes out isn’t Dorian’s. It’s darker and ethereal. It’s terrifying. ‘She’s ours now, and you can do nothing about it.’

‘You’re a fool…’ Shaw wheezes. ‘A bloody… fool!’

‘Dorian, stop!’ He looks at me as I plead with him. ‘Please let him go. Please!’ Slowly, the darkness recedes. Shaw’s released, and Dorian steps back.

The room returns to normal, and Dorian turns and leaves, slamming the door behind him as he goes.

Archie and I watch Shaw get to his feet, knowing better than to ask if he needs help.

‘What was that? What just happened?’ I face Archie, knowing better than to ask Shaw.

‘Every soul Dorian has killed with his magic becomes his,’ Archie says. ‘He’s filled with hundreds, which fuels his power but can take it to dark places. He can summon them and make them do his bidding. Like shadows of death.’

‘That breath. What was it?’

‘That breath just linked your soul to his.’

‘What? Why would he do that? What does that mean? He owns my soul?’

Archie offers a shrug. ‘It means he’s connected to it. He had to so the talismans would work for you.’ Archie lifts my arm and waves the heavily decorated hand between us. ‘They ward off the spirits attached to him so he doesn’t get overwhelmed. He’s not a very nice guy when they do.’

‘He needs them back.’ I look at the door.

‘He’ll make more when we return home,’ Shaw grunts, still staring at the door. ‘He’s strong enough to shield himself without them for a while. They just make it easier. I need to get Dorian. It’s not safe for us to be alone here.’

Shaw’s already leaving before I can say or do anything to stop him. The door slams shut, and Archie falls into a large armchair by the fire.

‘Well. That was fun,’ he groans, watching the flames. ‘I'm curious. Do you see any other spirits regularly? The woman from the mirror, the one who reached out, do you see her a lot?’

‘Sometimes. Yes. Of all the spirits I’ve seen, she’s the one I’ve seen most. What did Dorian mean when he said I could be possessed?’

‘Well, you’re a necromancer, Pix. You see them and feel them. Sometimes, they can see you. Feel you. And if they get close enough, they can sneak in.’

‘Sneak in?’ I repeat, utterly horrified at the idea.

‘You have a strong connection to death. You have to learn to control it, Pixie. Beforeitcontrols you.’ He watches me slowly sit on the edge of the bed, the feeling of hesitation ebbing from his aura. ‘Are spirits the only thing in your life that sought you out? Are they the only reason you hide under the bed?’

I lift my gaze. He’s reading my every reaction.

‘You asked us not to share you. You said men like to make little girls cry. I want to know what you meant by that.’

‘Why do you even care? I’m just your little blood whore. Your stolen witch. Your fucking pixie.’

‘Honestly, I have no idea why I care. I shouldn’t, and I never have before. But for some reason, the idea of someone laying their hands on you and making you cry has me wanting to burn the entire fucking world to the ground in the vague hope that I get the bastards that hurt you.’

‘I think that is the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.’

‘So I got your virginity and your first compliment. Not bad for a fleabag mutt, huh?’ he teases.

‘No,’ I smile. ‘Not bad at all.’

‘So. You gonna tell me?’ he asks.

‘There’s nothing to tell,’ I reply.

He sinks further into the chair and lets out a long breath. ‘If Shaw won’t marry you,’ he says, turning his head to look at me. His sweet smile makes my heart flutter. ‘I will.’

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