Page 31 of Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

“This is her?”He gave the pile of dingy rags and wild hair a tentative kick. A mild pang of disappointment settled in his chest. He’d expected more of the leader of his progeny.

“She’s not much to look at, I know. But she took out half her guards before we were able to sedate her. We haven’t allowed her to be fully lucid since.”

Erebos eyed the Night Stalker’s queen with greater appreciation. “I should be able to help with that.” Kneeling beside her in the dirt, he took one of her limp hands in his and pressed his lips to her temple. “Hello, dearest one. Do you have any idea how long I’ve waited to meet you? You have such an important part to play, but first, I need to borrow a little something of yours. Just until I get my own back, you see, and in return, I shall give you everything.”

With every word, Erebos latched onto her consciousness, tying his will to hers, twisting her dreams until they became the memories of a life that had never been. A past that would inform her future at his side.

He watched her eyes dance behind their lids, chasing the dreams he wove as they became her reality. Only once they fell still did he allow himself to press his lips to hers and inhale. With each lungful, he leached away her power, reclaiming it as his own. He’d created the Night Stalkers, forming them from whispers and mist and tethering them to this world with threads of his magic. But in order to see his plans to fruition, he needed to take those threads back. As their queen, this one’s power was the purest source, a font that would never run dry. It wasn’t enough to get him to the finish line, not remotely, but it was a start. And until each thread was returned, she would be his personal well, keeping him topped up until they arrived at the endgame.

When he’d drank his fill, the raven-haired queen was no more, and the only testament to what he’d taken was the now pearlescent strands of her hair. They reminded him of beams of moonlight filtering through the clouds. He took a few pieces and rubbed them between his fingers, unable to resist the urge to touch them. The slight tug was enough to pull her from her sleep.

She blinked up at him, a small frown marring her brow. “I’m sorry, my lord. I must have drifted off.”

He pressed a kiss to the center of her forehead. “It’s quite all right, my darling one. You needed your rest.”

“I did?”

“Oh yes, we have work to do, you and I. Are you ready?” He held out a hand to her. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to help her up.

“Of course. Wherever you go, I will follow. I am yours, my lord. Your faithful shadow.”

Present Day

“I’msurprised you didn’t slit his throat.”

Shadow’s steps didn’t falter, but the muscles beside her eyes tightened ever so slightly. She didn’t appreciate the subtle chastisement. Considering he didn’t appreciate her outright betrayal, he deemed the blow not only fair, but necessary. She needed to remember who served whom.

“There was a crowd, my lord.”

“Since when has the public ever minded a little bloodshed? You do realize these people are hungry for it, don’t you? Why else would they come to watch my games?”

She tipped her head to the side, conceding the point. “Do you want me to go back and finish the job?”

“No. Any change of course now will appear as weakness. You spared him, so now the redheaded bastard gets to live.”

He had no doubt the reprieve would be temporary. That stubborn arse had a history of popping up where he wasn’t wanted. Erebos knew it was only a matter of time before his wife’s playthings showed themselves. He just hadn’t expected to discover them on the other side of the world.

No matter.

He hadn’t come this far to fumble now. Not this close to the finish line. The endgame was nearly upon him; hewouldsee this through.

The Shield’s—the title tasted like ash on his tongue—days were numbered.

For the first time in a long while, Erebos was pleased with his choice of vessel. The man’s memories and intimate knowledge of the Kiri and her Circle would come in handy in the days to come. Perhaps even sooner, given their unexpected visitor.

As for his rebellious little shadow, well, he had other ways of keeping her in line.

He’d grown too lax with her since he’d ascended as High Lord. His daily duties had kept him occupied and given her too much room to roam. Pets needed a firm hand, or their feral natures started to reveal themselves.

And he couldn’t have that now, could he?

Slowly, subtly, like one might approach a street cat, he lifted his hand and rested it along the back of her neck. He felt the involuntary shiver roll down her spine. Could sense the tension coiled in her muscles as she realized her mistake. With every step, his grip tightened, and his will asserted itself over hers.

“Please, High Lord... this isn’t necessary. I-I’ll behave.”

“But that’s the problem, isn’t it, darling one? You’ve already misbehaved, and now you must be punished.”

It was only because he knew her so well that he could sense the riot those words unleashed in her. For everyone else passing them on the busy street, it would seem as though the High Lord and his right hand were deep in conversation.

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