Page 26 of Of Kings and Thieves

“Yes.”

“If you open your eyes or react, we could be lost in the Darkrift forever.” His tone brooked no argument. “You must remain calm and detached.”

“I understand,” I said, holding his gaze.

Satisfied I would follow instructions, Killian drew a symbol in the air. The forest seemed to part, revealing a dark hole in the air. An unnatural chill spilled from the rift, raising my arm hairs.

Killian donned his silver mask and took my hand. “Don’t let go.”

I closed my eyes, and he led me through. The sensation of crossing into the Darkrift was like having my soul ripped out through my veins. The hole tore at my flesh like knives, and a bone-deep chill slithered up my spine. I choked as the air rushed from my lungs. But the feeling vanished swiftly, and Killian and I found ourselves in a cold world.

The forest sounds disappeared. My bond with Col ended abruptly, and I realized how quickly his presence in my mind had become normal. Whatever magic bound us through the rings didn’t seem to extend to the Darkrift.

Though my eyes were closed, I gasped. The enveloping darkness was suffocating, sinister. My senses went on high alert. My skin crawled as the smell of decay almost knocked me down. Death, it smelled like death.

“Keep your eyes closed,” Killian growled, his hand clamping onto my shoulder. But morbid curiosity gnawed at me, urging me to see the lurking horrors.

He led me over uneven ground. I gripped his hand tightly, trying to ignore the screams and snarls that grew louder as we walked. Killian had called them nightmares made flesh. I had no desire to face my nightmares.

Killian led me with caution, guiding me so that I didn’t stumble. Though we’d only been inside a few minutes, it felt like hours. Sweat beaded my brow. The hairs on my neck stood up as I felt something watching.

No—stalking. Hunting. I pressed close to Killian as something drew closer behind me.

When sharp teeth sank into my ankle I cried out, yanking my leg away. Claws tore my flesh. I sobbed as Killian made a quick motion and the thing released me. He pulled me faster.

My leg ached with what must have been a bad wound, but we didn’t stop.

Until Killian spoke words in another language, and hands grabbed my shoulders. I yelled and fought them off, but they were everywhere—my arms, legs, neck.

My scream was cut off as long, cold fingers squeezed my throat. Panicking, I let go of Killian to claw at them. He tried to keep hold of me, but I was ripped away.

“Samara!” he shouted. “Don’t open your eyes!”

His warning was too late. In my fear, my eyes blinked open.

Monsters with twisted faces leered, eyes alight with hunger for violence. Their branding touch brought the stench of my burning flesh. My vision darkened as I twisted, trying to break free and breathe.

With a word from Killian and a sweep of his staff, light exploded around us. The monsters scattered, releasing me. I bent over and gasped for air. It was cold and sticky, but I was able to breathe again.

Killian scuffled with something nearby. I didn’t want to see it, but if something happened to him, I’d be trapped here forever. Straightening, I got my first real look at the Darkrift.

It unfurled before me, a sinister world where humanity’s deepest terrors became reality. Nothing stayed still long enough for me to truly see it. I told myself to close my eyes but they seemed frozen open.

“Gods above,” I breathed.

Screams came from behind and I turned, expecting more long-fingered monsters.

Instead, I saw my worst nightmare.

A sea of chanting Deviants towered over me, their twisted masks contorting in cruel ecstasy. My skin crawled, imagining their vile intentions.

Somehow, I was naked, staked to the ground with biting ropes. I could feel their staffs violating me, taking turns in an endless assault of pain and degradation. My eyes widened in horror as I realized this wasn’t just a nightmare, but a memory warped by evil—as if their intentions had come to life.

A hand touched my cheek. I snapped back to reality, finding Killian before me, his hand warm on my skin.

“Don’t fear, my lady,” he soothed. “It’s an illusion, a trick of the Darkrift. It can’t hurt you unless you let it.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my shaking body. Try as I might, I couldn’t loosen my grip on Killian’s arm. “But it felt so real.”

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