“Whenever you are, Azrael.”
The sand, as Zora called it, feels heavy in my hand. I grip it tightly, refusing to let a single grain escape—not yet.
“Prince of Nightmares,” I begin, “I summon you. Join me here. Answer my call.”
Extending my arm, I begin at the twelve o’clock position, releasing a steady stream as I slowly move clockwise, just like Zora instructed. “Come to me, Prince of Nightmares. I request your presence in my realm.”
My arm reaches the halfway point. “Prince of Nightmares, I command your presence. I demand you meet with me.”
Magic sizzles through the air. The candles flicker. “Prince of Nightmares, appear before me.”
I close the circle, and the room explodes full of power. The candles extinguish—only for a moment—before reigniting all at once. And standing before me, enclosed within the greater chalk ring, is the Prince of Nightmares.
Nothing could’ve prepared me for laying eyes on him. Not even Zora’s warnings. He is a paradox—beautiful and horrifying. A figure torn straight from a dream… or nightmare. His marbledeyes, with their catlike pupils stare back into mine, full of menace and rage. Dark hair falls across his forehead in a disheveled mess, and a swirling cape, colored with every hue of the realms, billows around him. The collar reaches his ears, but as my eyes flick over it, he lowers the collar and holds his head high. The prince is just as tall as me. And in one hand, he clutches a crystal orb.
“Your Majesty,” I say, bowing slightly. “Thank you for answering my call.”
His voice rumbles like distant thunder. “You didn’t exactly give me a choice.”
“My deepest apologies. I won’t waste your time. I’ve called you here to request a favor.” “I’m afraid I don’t deal in favors. Who are you, exactly?”
“Azrael, Prince of Shadow and Bone. Descendant of Lucifer.” I bow again, deeply this time.
“Ahhh… Prince of Shadows. I was told I would meet you.”
I quip an eyebrow. “May I ask who told you we would meet?”
“No,” he snaps. “But you already know the answer.”
“The Fates,” I guess.
He nods. “What is the favor you seek, Azrael? Time may be meaningless to you, but to me, it’s everything. I have work that needs doing.”
“I understand. I don’t intend to delay you. “ I glance at Zora, who offers a small, encouraging nod.
“Your favor, then, Prince of Shadow and Bone. What is it?”
I hate begging. But for her, I’d beg gods, the demons, the void itself. “I require your help. I would like to take a dream-walk. So that I might manipulate a dream–”
He interrupts. “Dreams are not to be manipulated. I can’t help you.”
“Please. I want to show my mate how much I care for her. To help her feel comfortable.”
“I don’t see how tampering with dreams would achieve that. It is forbidden to meddle in love. I can’t make anyone fall in love. You know that. I know that. Every entity who wields magic knows it.”
“I’m not asking you to change her heart. Only to let me—“
“I do not meddle in love, Shadow Prince,” he says sharply.
I clench my fists, willing myself to stay calm. “Let me finish.”
He narrows his eyes. “Very well. But as I’ve warned—do not waste my time.”
I think of Zora’s instructions.Be clear,she said,and he will ask for something in return.
“I wish to strike a deal. A favor for a favor, of equal value and weight.”
He tilts his head, clearly intrigued, and I continue.
