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Varin hunches in the center, night-forged silver manacles bright even shrouded by shadows, are pulled taught.
“For a moment, I thought you intended to flee without me.” A statement and accusation. I say nothing to that. They are not entirely wrong. “Give me your hand.”
I comply. Varin taps the band with a talon. At first, nothing happens. Then a hairline fissure forms and spreads. With my next breath, it shatters, falling like music to the ground.
“The ring has served its purpose,” the demon explains at my bewildered expression. “Now, you must free me from these binds so I can possess you.”
A shudder rolls through me. “Am I strong enough?”
“You either are or you are not.” Varin tilts their head up, scenting the air. “We must hurry. No human within these walls will live to see nightfall.”
The fear of dying before I even begin terrifies me to the marrow. I take a step back. “I will come back for you…”
From deep in their throat, a low growl rumbles forth. “Do you think to break our bargain? Have I not held up my end, giving you strength and power beyond your mortal capabilities?”
“I’ll come back,” I say again. The promise sounds weak even to my ears.
The embers of their irises blaze bright enough to pierce the dark. “We have a bargain.” Venom laces their tone.
Elizabeth still lives, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she will come for Alaric. If I ran now and found a way to escape with Alaric, could I forgive myself for betraying Varin?
I swallow a lump in my throat and force myself to move forward.
“I will keep my word,” I say, gripping one of their taloned fingers. The gesture makes me feel a little childish since their palm is the length of my torso, but were I in their place, I would need the reassurance. “Forgive me?”
The demon’s posture relaxes so slightly I almost miss it. I let fear get the better of me, and that momentary lapse caused me to be cruel. Varin believed I would abandon them when they have spent weeks waiting for me to fulfill the promise of freedom. No one deserves that, not even a demon.
“If I die, what will become of you?”
Varin is still, then quiet and resigned. “I have lived in these chains for too long,” they say. Their other hand wraps around my middle and pulls me close. “Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to keep you alive.”
The screams grow louder as the fray spreads throughout more of the castle. We both turn toward the sounds as though we could see through the door and walls to the slaughter. I look away first. The demon’s skeletal face is frozen in an expression of horrified dismay.
“Then let’s begin.” I lift my chin and square my shoulders in an effort to at least appear brave, even if I’m terrified. “If I am to die, I might as well do so while stealing Elizabeth’s prisoner.”
Varin snorts, unable to stifle their amusement. “I may come to regret possessing you.”
We went over each step as we came to it, neither bothering to speak about this part. After all, there was no point worrying about it if I was not prepared.
I press a palm to their face, right above the two slits of their nostrils. “Wait,” I say. “Will I be aware of what’s happening?”
There’s a heavy pause. The sense of urgency grows tighter by the second, and I know they feel it too. I’m relieved when the tension releases from their form.
“Think of it as both of us inhabiting your body. We will each have some control.”
If that was meant to be comforting, it did not work. Though it is slightly better than I might have expected. I nod.
Going to each manacle, I use my dagger to break the locks. They fall away, one by one, leaving behind a band of grey scarring on Varin’s shining black, shell-like skin. My heart lurches at the pain they must have suffered for three hundred years.
Their form wavers, and they look as though they might dissipate with the slightest provocation. I realize my life is not the only one in danger if this does not work. A fact they intentionally left out when I asked only about myself.
“Prepare yourself, Clara. You must stay strong, for this will not be easy.” They glide forward, pausing before me. “I chose you, not only because you have been touched by many demons, but because you are strong—” They press a talon to my temple, then to the scar over my heart, saying, “—here, and here.”
Agony swallows any peace those words might have given as they plunge forward. Their smoky body collides into mine with all the resistance of fog. But unlike previous times when they have ended up behind me, now they do not pass through, remaining within.
I collapse to my knees, unable to draw a single breath. My body feels too small, too full, as if I will be forced out if I cannot cling to it.
My blood grows molten hot. Burning. Turning to acid in my veins. It will devour me from the inside. The shadows fade as though a lantern has been lit, even as darkness edges in on the corners of my vision. My hold weakens.
