Page 23 of A Game of Monsters
CHAPTER 5
Imeria had always been a quiet place, but when Erix departed – preparing the necessaries for our journey to Durmain – the silence felt like a void. All encompassing, devouring. The wide jaws of a beast, which I walked straight into. A graveyard, which was fitting for those who’d died here when half the castle fell, or when my mother and the family I never met were slaughtered.
And yet, with all the ghosts around me, Istillfelt alone.
I drew up a wooden chair at Duncan’s bedside. It was the morning after Eroan dropped the news about Althea and Gyah’s wedding. Even after another night’s sleep with Erix on his chair beside me, I hardly felt well-rested, but I was better than I had been, at the very least.
Light streamed in through the stained-glass window. Dust danced in the beams, twisting like ropes of gold attempting to entangle any poor soul who found themselves walking through it. One ray shone over the side of Duncan’s face, highlighting just how awful he looked. Deep lines, paled blotches of red, dried skin which looked sore and agitated.
He’d be waking naturally after the last dose of Gardineum wore off. It was like clockwork, this routine we’d found ourselves in. Since yesterday, when he woke up even though Gardineum was pumped through his veins, it hadn’t happened again.
And just as I expected, it didn’t take long for him to stir. When his eyes slowly creaked open, they found me before noticing anything else.
“Good morning, Robin,” he croaked, verdant eyes wincing against the harsh light. “Is it that time already?”
I no longer had the mirror to use to see if it was Duncan or Duwar speaking. Not that I needed it. After what I was about to say, this conversation was for me and Duwar alone. The demon would show itself. I had my suspicions who I was speaking with, but my following words would be a draw in case Duwar was still hiding.
“I’ve been thinking aboutyouroffer,” I said, keeping my voice clear and confident, even though my hand shook on my lap. “A lot, actually.”
Duncan blinked, and when his eyes opened again it was as if blood spread across his green iris. “Have you finally come to your senses, Robin Icethorn?”
My nails pinched into my palms at the drawn-out hiss of the demon’s voice. I refused to give it the satisfaction of winning, at least not yet. I required answers first, and I didn’t have long until Erix returned.
Duwar couldn’t know what I planned.
Duncan’s body, controlled by the demon, rose from the mattress. He strained against the iron bindings, smiling as though it was some ultimate pleasure. His tongue traced his lower lip, disturbing the already chapped skin.
I flinched back, Duwar’s grin faltering. “There is no need to fear me, as I have told you before, I am not the threat you believe me to be.”
More words without merit.
“I want to understand, before I contemplate the transference.” I knew what it entailed now, after Erix told the story of Duwar using my form to lay a hand on Duncan’s chest. Was it truly that simple? “If you would indulge me with a few answers, I would appreciate it.”
“Transference,” Duwar hissed. The sound of clinking chains made my skin crawl as he struggled to get comfortable. “What is there to contemplate, Robin? This vessel is so close to death; his will may be strong, but his body is weak; it is not made for the likes of power such as I. We both can agree that his passing would not be beneficial. Your hesitation is the only factor which draws out his suffering, you understand that, do you not?”
I hated myself for agreeing, but Duwar was right. “I do.”
Dark eyes narrowed on me, head tilting ever so slightly to the side. “I am beginning to wonder if you even care that Duncan will perish?”
“It would be wise not to worry about my thoughts.” I leaned in closer. “And ifyoukill him, you’ll be lost forever. You’ve already made that clear to me, Duwar. Otherwise, you would not be so desperate to arrange for me to serve as your new host.”
Duncan’s mouth split into a handsome smile. There was nothing dangerous about it, and yet my heart, mind and soul told me to run.
“Robin, you would never let that happen to Duncan.” His brows drew down over sombre eyes, giving me a look at the truly worried creature lurking in Duncan’s body. “I am merely waiting for you to make the decision. The right one, for Duncanandfor you. Give yourself to me, and Duncan will be freed from this torment. He made this decision to offer you power, and you have spat in the face of his sacrifice. But I know, as you do, that you shall make the right decision eventually. Or do you need more time to conceptualise my offer, knowing that time is not a commodity that you, or Duncan, has to waste?”
I scoffed, trying to remind myself that I had the power. “You act with the confidence of a creature who forgets he needs my cooperation.”
“Your lack of decision is killing him, Robin. You do understand that. I am holding on, as a courtesy for you.”
Lies.
“Offering myself up as your new vessel isn’t the easiest decision to make,” I replied, trying and failing to keep the desperation from my tone. It was written all over my expression. I saw as much in the warped reflection in Duncan’s red eyes.
“What is it you must know, to make the decision easier?”
I let Duwar’s question hang in the air between us. Erix had been the one to finally divulge what had happened in Duwar’s realm. He mentioned seeing me – not monstrous as Duwar’s reflection was – but me. He’d touched Duncan, clawed his skin and entered through a wound.
No different to how I’d accepted the Icethorn key.
