Page 85 of Bizarre Bonds
We dive back into the shadows where we can scout for new prey discreetly. I stalk across the landscape, avoiding any signs of human occupation.
I definitely don’t want to experiment with the deadliness of my killing power on that kind of mortal being.
Over by a stand of spindly trees, a few sparrows are hopping around. They wouldn’t make much of a meal, hardly a mouthful, but I’m not aiming to eat them.
As I pull myself back into physical form, Peri follows. She rests her hand on my arm. “We’ll do it together. I can feel when you’re focusing.”
I swallow thickly and blink away the contacts I automatically conjured. The sparrows peck at whatever seeds or bugs they’re snatching off the ground.
They consume other life, just like I do. I don’t resent them for it.
Just like Peri doesn’t resent me.
Why have I let my needs bother me so much? Is it possible I could have found new, less harmful dimensions to my powers all this time, if I hadn’t shied away from using them unless I absolutely had to?
There’s only one way to find out.
I pick a sparrow and narrow my eyes. As the stinging sensation forms behind them, a waft of moderating reassurance flows from Peri.
I’m in control. I can decide how much harm my power inflicts.
Just a quick smack of the brain, enough to dim the lights. Leave all essential systems functioning. It shouldn’t be that hard, should it?
A slight pull of my punch, like Peri said.
I clench my hands and let a brief flare of my power burst from my eyes.
The sparrow flops over. Its companions startle and flit into the branches of the trees.
With my heart thudding at the base of my throat, I rush over to check the little creature.
As soon as my hand closes around its feathered body, I can sense the pulse still thrumming at its core.
A grin leaps to my face. I glance over at Peri, my relief radiating into her and mingling with the sunny pride glowing in her hair.
Who would have thought my power didn’t make me an unmitigated killer after all?
Peri would have thought. She watched and she saw me like no one else ever has.
“I did it,” I say. “Wedid it. Let’s keep practicing. I want to be as ready as possible when we see Viscera again.”
30
Periwinkle
As we emerge onto the street Rollick picked out to stage our acts of destruction, one thought sits heavy in my mind. I look at my companions—the four men who’ve embraced our connection, the six shadowbloods, Sorsha and her men, Rollick and his various assistants—and my heart sinks.
If my plan works and we tempt Viscera into showing herself, we have more than enough power between us to destroyherin a matter of seconds. But as much as I hate the damage she’s done to the city, more violence was never my goal.
All of these people gave me a chance—multiple chances. If we had a competition for who’s done the most harm to the human world in total, I bet I’ve been responsible for more than Viscera has. I mean, I did have a head start of several years.
“Hold on,” I say.
Everyone’s gaze veers toward me. Rollick motions for me to go on.
I draw my short frame as tall as I can in the warm morning sunlight and aim for a voice that’s more determined champion than cream puff. “I don’t want to murder her if we don’t have to.”
Sorsha’s mouth twists. “It isn’t exactly murder when it’s in defense of other people’s lives, Peri.”
