They turn as one, and they are bound into the forest, burning trails in their wake. They’re locked onto their prey. Locked ontohis scent.
I follow, leisurely, step by step. Their path carves a bleeding trail through the woods, leading me straight to the little mage who thought he could brand me and walk away.
I don’t know how long I walk. Time doesn’t exist anymore. Not to me. There is nothing but hunger, rage, and the need to rip Cage in two and wear his skin like a trophy. The castle looms ahead, silhouetted in the dead light of my magic. My hounds prowl the grounds, pacing and circling for a time before one lets out a long, shrieking cry. They’ve found something: the entrance to the mages’ wing. They continue pacing, waiting for my approach.
“Stop!” a guard shouts, stepping into my path, and his spear braces against trembling hands.
“I have not even begun,” I say darkly. The hounds lock onto their new target and take off.
The guard's eyes widen in terror. He blows into the horn on his neck, alerting others to the danger just outside the castle walls.
It is of no use.
My hounds leap, fangs flashing and claws extended to shred him limb from limb. Before they can make contact, a roar of fire pours from the mouth of the entrance behind him. Scarlet flames billow outward, forcing the hounds back. They snarl, pacing at the sudden wall.
A young mage steps through the inferno. Wild red hair tangles around her face, and she’s still wearing a nightgown, but her hands are steady, fingers spread wide to control the rising wall of fire. The flames split the night open, turning darkness into blood-soaked day. The heat kisses my skin, even from yards away.
Cute.
I raise my hands, gathering my magic to snuff out her little show, but movement to my left catches my eye.
Someone charges me with arms outstretched—reckless.
I pivot, magic thrumming through every fiber of muscle. My fist slams into his ribs with bone-shattering force. He flies back, crashing into the ground. It’s only then, as he gasps and coughs, that I recognize him.
Kalix.
It doesn’t matter. He should have stayed out of my way.
“I can—and will—break every bone in your body,” I taunt sweetly, playing with my new target.
Kalix gets to his feet. His breathing is heavy, but his face is calm—unfazed—like I hadn’t just thrown him around like ragdoll. He starts to circle me, calculating his next move.
I don’t call the hounds. I want this one for myself.
His eyes flicker to the carvedCon my chest—to the ruin left behind. “How did you get hurt?” He asks, voice careful. His hands rise slowly—palms out—like he’s surrendering. “Millie,” he says. “You don’t want to do all this.”
I grin wider. “I actually would lovenothingmore than to do all this.” Joy bleeds through me; it fills me with something bright, manic, and unstoppable.
“Iris is in there,” he says, tilting his head toward the castle, “You want the hounds getting to her?”
“They won’t touch her,” I snap. “They’ll only touch whoIwant.Bring me Cage.”
“Not happening, Mill.” He dares a step closer. “How about we take a walk?”
I laugh so hard I bend at the waist, gasping for air. When I straighten, I tilt my head in cold amusement at the idiot before me. “A walk? I am tired of this.” I raise my hand. Shadows lashout as black ropes twist through the air, wrapping around his throat and tightening until they scream against his skin.
I lift him off the ground like a doll, his feet dangling uselessly. “I will not beg for what is mine.” I snarl. “I will rip Cage from his bed; brick by brick, I will tear down this fucking castle.I will destroy it all.”My excitement rises, making my heart beat faster with anticipation.
Yes, take it all,the Nightmother whispers.It was always yours.
My vision blurs—edges pulsing black—and I feel her influence sinking deeper into me, leeching and distorting my emotions.
My shoulder jerks involuntarily at her invasion.
“Such a good pup you’ve been.” I purr at Kalix, tightening the noose of shadows coiling around his neck. “Always so obedient. Always so useful. I’d keep you—if I had the energy to train a bitch not to be so weak.” I snarl the word like a curse. “I’ll make sure my hounds eat your remains. I’msogenerous after all.”
His face is calm. Unshaken. It infuriates me.
