AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m sensing a but.”
My palms came together, extinguishing what I’d created. “While doing that would potentially take a lot of energy and control, I don’t think it would be very useful. I’m almost positive I could manage it, but why bother when going up against fae who likely have similar powers? I’m thinking I may as well try something that could prove more practical and beneficial, something I’m not confident in doing. Something most would consider crossing a line.”
“Why do I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you’re about to say?”
“Because you’re not.”
‡ ‡ ‡
“You want to dowhat?”
Draven’s face was nonplussed, which I supposed was better than infuriated. Casimir had ghosted back to Embour to ask for some assistance and returned with the Shadow Lord, Lyric, and Phalen.
“Control you. Actually, first I’d like to prevent you from shifting into shadow form. All of you. I was able to do it without touching Casimir and it gave me the idea that I could contain an Other’s magic, at least for a short time. Then I want to see if you can be controlled. If I can do both, especially with multiple beings, dealing with Sersha and Malcolm might be far easier than we thought. I’ll just march the royals straight into a containment trap and give us time to sort things out.”
“You mean control them like puppets?” Lyric asked.
“Yes.”
“Ermahgerd!Yass!” she screeched in a strange accent while clapping and looking directly at her mate. “Do-it-do-it-do-it!”
Phalen played with the beard at his chin. “Perhaps you should try one of us at a time. What if you lose yourself like some witches do when they push too far? I’m not keen on the three highest ranking Shadows being restrained at once without a guarantee you’re in total control. No offense.”
“None taken,” I replied.
Lyric blew a raspberry. “I’m right here, dumbass. I’m second in command in these parts. And as the best number two your ass has ever seen—”
Phalen snorted. Casimir looked away, hiding his face from Draven, who was pinching the bridge of his nose.
“—I can stab her if necessary. That would break the spell, right?” Lyric looked at me questioningly.
“Most likely. It would definitely break my concentration. I don’t typically lose control of myself, but I’ve never mixed both of magics at this level. Just be sure to cut someplace where I’d lose a lot of blood fast. That would be the thing to guarantee I release my hold. Or hit me in the head hard enough I black out.”
Lyric’s nose scrunched. “I’d probably have to kick you in the head to do that and my belly won’t allow for such a maneuver.”
“Then use the knife.”
“Okay, I’ll just nick an artery or something.” She withdrew a dagger from the belt around her waist.
“Perfect,” I commended. “Maybe go for the carotid and not the brachial or femoral. These leathers seem to be too tough to slice through easily in a single swipe.”
“No problem.”
We turned back to the fearsome wall of male demons who were all staring at us with guarded expressions. Well, two of them were. Casimir looked like he’d sucked on something overly sour.
“What?” Lyric and I asked simultaneously.
“There are two of them!” Phalen squawked as he emphatically gestured towards us with both hands, palms up. “Sure, one is more reserved and curses a lot less than the pregnant one, but there aretwoof them now! Gods help us all.”
“Oh grow up, you chickenshit,” Lyric insulted. “Are we good now, Big Guy?”
Draven looked at Casimir who returned a resolute dip of his head. Then he pointed at Phalen. “Stop him from ghosting, Raven. I want to see what happens.”
Phalen grumbled something under his breath. I waited to feel the change in his energy. The second I did, my power sprung, latching onto his, squeezing. His arms jerked out to his sides, his body rigid. Taut muscles shook as he strained against my hold.
It wasn’t quite as difficult as it had been with Casimir, probably because I wasn’t also maintaining a stone monster and flying them both around in the air. That didn’t mean it didn’t hurt like a son of a bitch. Thankfully, I didn’t have to speak.
The Shadow Lord circled his friend, inspecting, feeling the air around him. He paid no mind to his friend’s suffering, seemingly more interested in the mechanics of what was happening. “You can release him now.”
