Page 32 of Bonded Chaos

The Wraith Borne killed without mercy, stealing the very souls from their victims, leaving nothing for their families to mourn.

I returned my sword to its scabbard and held my hands out in front of me. My shadows responded to my call as they contorted and danced beneath my palms.

I directed them forward, and they slithered across the ground undetected by the combatants above them. My shadows snaked their way up the bodies of the men, rising and expanding until darkness encased the entire battlefield.

Frightened gasps and low curses cut through the air.

Fear permeated the woods, and my lips curved into a menacing grin.

I was at home in the darkness.

My men had long since grown accustomed to my shadows, and their silence allowed me to track the enemy with ease.

I reached beneath my tunic and retrieved the two daggers sheathed at my back. My shadows concealed the sound of my footfalls as I snuck up behind one man and ran my blade over his throat.

The smell of copper filled my nostrils, and I let the scent ground me. The man dying at my feet gurgled and spluttered as he tried and failed to take a breath.

At that moment, I embraced the name many whispered behind closed doors, fearing I might hear and come for them too.

I became the Night Cursed Prince.

Hidden in the darkness, they couldn’t see me coming, and their fear grew potent. It swarmed my senses, and I let it wash over me as I savored the intoxicating aroma of their terror, letting it fuel my strength.

With each hushed whisper and panicked inhale, I drew closer, moving silently through my shadows undetected. The Wraith Borne thrashed wildly, turning in circles and stumbling over their own feet as they moved through the dark matter aimlessly, desperate to find an escape.

I cut, stabbed, and sliced my way through them, their horrified cries spurring me on.

All too soon, the killing ceased, and my shadows retreated, curling and twisting along my body until they were one with me once more.

I stood among a field of bodies, covered in the blood of my enemies, as I caught my breath.

A low whistle sounded beside me, and I turned to meet Eamon’s gaze.

“You really outdid yourself this time, Ryker.”

I grunted in response as I swiped at the blood trickling into my eyes.

“Where’s Malesh?” Eamon asked, and I stiffened, remembering the dire state in which I had left my friend.

I darted behind the large tree and sucked in a sharp breath when I saw his unconscious form slumped against its base.

Eamon cursed behind me as I pressed my fingers against the pulse point at the base of Malesh’s throat.

It was faint, but it was there.

“He needs help,” I said as I lifted Malesh’s body and pulled his arm around my shoulders to support his weight.

“Get the men home safely.”

Eamon nodded at my command, and I pulled my shadows around me once more.

Malesh needed a healer.

Luckily for him, I knew exactly where to find one.

Chapter Thirteen

Cadence

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