Page 97 of Prince of Shadow and Ash

“Yes, pretty young woman.” The mirror turned watery and shifted to an image of Adelaide in Arrano’s hall. She rested her chin on her palm, her elbow propped on the table as she spoke. The image shifted back to the sorcerer.

Regulus swallowed back the bile rising in his throat. “You...you’re certain?”

The sorcerer’s smile turned into a frown. “I don’t make mistakes! She’s a mage as certainly as I’m a sorcerer. Hopefully she has the power to do what I need. What’s her name, anyway?”

Regulus grit his teeth. His hands balled into fists.

“I asked you a question, boy.”

Pain burned his arm, and he grunted.

“Her name?”

He stared at the ground, clutching his forearm. “Adelaide Belanger.” The pain subsided.

“You told the truth. Very good. At least bringing her to me should be easy. You know right where to find her.”

Regulus hung his head. “Please. Don’t kill her.”

“I won’t kill her, weren’t you listening? I just need her magic.”

And after you’ve used her magic?He swallowed hard. “Surely there is someone else—”

Agony exploded up his arm. He clutched his chest and doubled over as the pain spread from his sternum. A moan stuck in his throat.

“I. Want. Her. As soon as possible.”

Shouts sounded from the hallway. Cries of “Lord Hargreaves!” echoed up the stairs.

Confused and gasping for breath, Regulus looked toward the door. He panted out, “My lord, I should go check—” before he fell to his knees as the pain redoubled, spreading over his entire body.

“You will bring her to me.”

Regulus’ eyes watered as his breathing grew more labored. The shouts continued, muffled and unintelligible.

“I...can’t...” He swallowed back a scream as it felt like fire filled his veins. His vision blacked out, and he curled into a ball on the floor.

“You’re my slave. You do what I tell you.”

His heart felt like it would burst. Dying. He was dying.Etiros...save me.

“Do this, and your debt will be paid.”

The pain ceased. Regulus took several deep breaths to steady himself. The darkness shrouding his vision receded. He stood, his knees shaking.

“I expect to see you tomorrow with Belanger. I don’t want to harm her. But you must bring her.” The sorcerer’s voice became dark and menacing. “If I have to force you, every pain I have inflicted on you will seem as nothing compared to the painyouwill inflict on everyone you care about, including the girl. And then you will die in more pain than you can imagine.”

Regulus looked up. The mirror was blank—just a bronze mirror. He stuffed it in the trunk as someone pounded on his door. The muffled shouting from downstairs continued.

“My lord!” Harold sounded panicked. “I am sorry, but youmustcome downstairs.”

Regulus opened the door. “What is it? What’s going on?”

“We couldn’t stop them,” Harold panted. “The sheriff has a warrant—”

“Sheriff?” Regulus cursed. They had been spotted in Holgren. Someone must have recognized him or his description. Regulus grabbed his sheathed sword from next to his door and pushed past Harold, fastening the belt around his hips as he hurried down the stairs. If he was going to be accused of hunting in the royal forest—a theft against the crown—he needed to look like a lord.

Because a lord might get away with a heavy fine. But a commoner could be hanged. If they tried to hang him, he would live. He would be exposed for the monster he was.

---