“I haven’t been paying attention to the news.”
“Really?” Her eyebrows narrowed. “That’s not like you.”
I wanted to tell her it was because I couldn’t turn on my phone without another headline featuring her and Finlay, but that was only partially it. Reading the papers only made me feel more helpless than I already was these days. “I just needed a break for some time. What’s going on?”
“His policies are nuts. I think he knows we’re the ones who set those monsters loose from the warehouse. He’s taking it out on the people,” Emma said. “Many are starving. He’s cut off all the housing programs that provide assistance to poor families. There are more homeless on the streets of Dolinska than there ever have been before. The taxes on the lower class have been raised so high, no one can afford to keep up with their bills. It’s like he’s changing this country overnight.”
“That is his prerogative, to grow his army.” Gods, my cousin was such a joke. A joke that was going to get us all killed.
Emma’s words were hedged. “Maybe the Phantom could do something about it.”
I scoffed. “The Phantom doesn’t help anyone but himself. Get real, Emma.”
Her cheeks flushed. “That’s a load of bullshit. I don’t care what bad he’s done— the Phantom can be used as a force of good, if you would just let him be!”
We were arguing again. Apparently, it was a favorite pastime of ours. “You wanted me to give up the Phantom forever, and now you want him to continue his work? I’d be appreciative if you’d make up your mind.”
Her face turned as red as her hair. “It’s obvious the Phantom is a part of our lives now. He’s not going anywhere. Instead of getting rid of him altogether, why not turn him into something positive? A hero instead of a killer?”
“My life!My. life. Not yours,” I growled. “You have no part in what the Phantom does.”
“This isn’t the real you!” Emma shot out. “The old Ethan wouldn’t just… sit on his ass and watch the world go by without him!”
“Perhaps I’ve changed!”
“Yes! Perhaps you’ve become scared of your own shadow!” she screamed.
Things changed then. My temper burst. It didn’t take much these days. I was going to scream something else at her, probably something personal that would hurt.
But that’s not what happened. It only took seconds for the leshane to take over. I went from myself to him in a matter of moments. I’d left the door wide open in my anger, and he had taken control. I knew he’d come fully into my body as Emma gasped. The color drained from her face as I felt my eyes turn red, teeth sharpen.
The demon went to attack, but Emma reacted first. She flung out her hand and a binding spell wrapped itself around my body, pinning my arms to my sides and forcing me to my knees. The cold ice stung my legs through my pants as the leshane thrashed against Emma’s magic, trying to break free. For as powerful as he was, Emma had caught him before he could unleash, and she was strong enough to hold him.
The leshane let out a cruel laugh. It erupted from my throat and spread like bitter seeds upon the air. “Got me this time, didn’t you?Next time I’ll be more prepared.”
“Let. Him. Go.” Emma spoke through clenched teeth. She kept her hand aloft, to suspend the spell. There was no fear in her eyes. There was only rage, and pure unadulterated hatred.
“I don’t think I will. He’s been the most entertaining host I’ve had in decades.” The leshane flicked his forked tongue. “It won’t be long before he’s mine forever.”
“I will not let you have him.” Emma’s hand shook. “I will fight for him.”
“You cannot stop me. I’ve never lost before. Thousands of souls have fallen to me, and a thousand souls will fall hereafter.”
“You’ve never dealt with someone like me.”
The leshane’s tone was thick with distaste. “Not even a Worldweaver can come between the leshane and his prey.”
“Iwillget you out of him,” Emma snarled. “You’d better pray to the gods for mercy once that moment happens, because I won’t spare you. Hell will look comfortable compared to what I’m going to do to you.”
“You’ll never get the chance. Ethan Nowak is mine.”
The leshane fled. He hid back within the confines of my spirit, and I gasped as I came back into my own body. The binding spell broke, and I fell forward, my cheek connecting with the cold ground.
“Ethan!” Emma collapsed beside me. She turned me on my back. It felt like a few blood vessels had burst in my face.
My voice was hoarse. Any energy I’d had moments before was gone, lost to the wind. “Leave me,onawilke.Before he comes back.”
“No.” Emma pulled at my shoulders, trying to force me to my feet. She couldn’t lift me on her own. I struggled to get up, but only for her. Once I was standing upright, she flung my arm over her shoulders and attempted to drag me to my dormitory. I ordered myself to walk, though every step felt like another pace closer to the underworld.
