Page 122 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
One, we have to find a way to kill the mirror’s monster. I fear it will not be as easy as I’d hoped. Dimensional beings that dwell in dark objects often have a tether to the imbued item inquestion. What that tether is and how to break it is the most important discovery we need to make.
Two, we must destroy the army of the dead. The very task for which I’ve selected Renard. He looks less than thrilled to be here, but his beast is capable of inflicting an immense amount of damage with minimal effort. Of all my connections, he was the ideal candidate to help me defeat this evil.
And three, I must get that bracelet off Catreena’s arm. Only then will I be able to deliver her a punishment befitting her crimes. There are more dire consequences than I can fathom if I can’t deliver on my promise to Drusinnia. She only released me from the in-between because I assured her I would return with a gift.
Needing a moment alone to speak with Renard, I throw up a shield of shadows.
“I assume you can still take your beast form at will.”
Renard swallows dryly. “Only in times of great desperation.”
“Well, you’ll die if you don’t. Desperate enough?”
His sapphire eyes are wary. “I do not want to be trapped in that body again.”
“I know you are hesitant to give in to the curse but if you think it couldn’t be your kingdom next, that Catreena won’t come for your throne and dispose of your family in the process, you’re wrong. She craves power, the very thing your kingdom has a reputation for. How long do you think it will go unnoticed once she leaves Roseheart a barren husk and seeks a new source? Especially now that she knows her sister perished at your hands.”
There’s such fear in Renard’s eyes. “The Beast is powerful.”
“I will ensure you return to your human form.”
“Fuck,” Renard growls, ripping the rose from his jacket. He squeezes it, letting the thorns dig into his palm until blood seeps between his fingers. A swirling yellow light spirals up. The magiclifts his long hair until it’s floating around him. The brightness builds, stealing my sight. When it dims, the man is gone. The Beast now stands in his place. Crushed petals float to the ground as he opens his oversized paw. Deep brown fur coats his heavily muscled form. Horns protrude from the top of his mountainous height. His eyes are the same, just as human and blue, but they reside in a face that resembles a jackal or wolf. A fang-filled snout bares its teeth.
“You’d better make sure I get home to my wife.” His voice was deep before. Now, as the Beast, it is a thunderous rumble.
“You’ll make it back to your beloved.”We both will.
Dropping my shadows, I give Catreena a view of Renard’s beast. The shock in her eyes is exquisitely satisfying. My monster takes over next. It bursts forth with a screech loud enough to shake the castle foundations.
I sense the moment an invisible shield rises before Catreena. We’ve scared her. Good.
“Holy shit.” The Beast eyes my new form. “You’re a fucking bird?”
My wings flare in annoyance. “You’re judging my monster? When’s the last time you looked in the mirror?”
The Beast glares. “Looked in a mirror? Haven’t you seen the trouble mirrors have caused recently? I told you, I never transform anymore.”
I leer over him. “It seemed to come easily enough just now.”
The Beast rises up, meeting me nose to nose. “That’s because?—”
“Oh, for demon’s sake. You two bicker like an old married couple.” Catreena launches the first attack.
Her power charges through the room. I’m able to throw up a shield of shadows at the last moment, saving the both of us. Violet power crackles against the outermost layer.
“Did you know she could do that?” The Beast takes a panicked step back.
“No, but her power has already weakened. She probably only has a few good shots in her.” I can sense the dip in strength from across the room. Catreena’s strength lies in overpowering humans and stealing souls. The lightning is merely a party trick. Likely something she’s mastered over the last few decades. I bet she’s never had to use it more than once to make her point. We’re about to test just how powerful she truly is.
“You’ve got the army of the dead. I’ll take care of the monster.”
“Who’s killing the witch?” The Beast stares at her, tongue swiping across his maw.
“I need her alive.”
His growl is pure animal. “That’s no fun.”
“It is imperative that she lives.” My growl matches his.
