Page 6 of Night Fae
"I don't need your kind of power anymore," Zev spat.
"No?" Darius circled him slowly. "Look how weak you've become. Relying on steel when you were born for so much more." He paused. "I'll help you reclaim your heritage."
"I'd rather starve."
"You'll change your mind." Darius gestured to the guards, one of whom was holding Malik. "Take them both to the east wing."
Zev's steps faltered as the guards dragged them through heavy obsidian doors. The air felt different here—charged with old magic that drained power from any prisoner who crossed the threshold.
His own magic dimmed further, leaving him feeling hollow.
The guards forced them into a circular chamber. Spelled chains bit into Zev's wrists, binding him to the wall. Across the room, they pushed the human onto a narrow cot.
"Excellent." Darius produced a small vial filled with dark liquid. "Now, let's get comfortable."
"Don't touch him." Zev yanked against the chains.
"Behave, and I won't have to." Darius's fingers curled around Malik's jaw. "Open."
Malik clenched his teeth—he wasn't stupid—but Darius pinched his nose until the need to breathe forced his mouth open. The potion disappeared down his throat.
"There we go." Darius stepped back, watching as Malik's eyelids grew heavy. "Simple sleeping draught. Nothing to concern yourself with, son."
"You're a monster."
"Such harsh words." Darius settled into a chair between them. "I'm offering you a chance to come home. To remember who you are."
"This was never home."
"No? Then what was it?"
"A prison." Zev's chains rattled. "A place where you tried to shape me into your perfect weapon."
"And succeeded, I'd say." Darius's smile didn't reach his eyes. "How many died by your hand in service to the Court? Or have you convinced yourself that you're free of sin?"
Zev hadn't convinced himself of any such thing, but before he could argue, a soft whimper escaped Malik's lips. The human's fingers twitched against the cot.
"Oh, look at that." Darius's smile widened. "I don't even have to give him nightmares. He's making his own." His fingers brushed through Malik's hair. "Mm, it's a good one. Have you fed on him, son?"
"No." The word came out as a growl.
"I don't know how you resisted." Darius's eyes gleamed. "I won't."
"Leave him alone!" Zev warned.
"Or what?" Darius settled onto the edge of Malik's cot. "You're in no position to make threats." His fingers traced down Malik's temple. "Such delicious fear. Want to know what he's dreaming about?"
Zev turned his face away, but he couldn't block out Malik's ragged breathing or his father's words.
"Death." Darius's voice carried that familiar, cruel curiosity. "Loss. How ordinary. But the guilt..." He closed his eyes, savoring it like fine wine. "Now that's extraordinary."
"I said don't touch him."
"I don't have to listen to your commands because you're powerless." Darius's gaze focused on him. "Look where your self-elected starvation has led you." His fingers tightened in Malik's hair, and the human's whimpers grew louder as Darius's magic dug into his terror, sharpening it.
"Stop it!" The shackles bit into Zev's wrists as he pulled harder.
"You know how to make me stop." Darius's magic twisted deeper. Malik thrashed on the cot, a broken sound catching in his throat. "Just give in. Feed. Let me show you how strong you could be again."
