“Stay
here,” Aidan said as he raced back to the group. I followed most of
the way across the room, frowning as I peered through the door. What
could Chen mean about them rising?
The
bodies on the floor twitched, shifted, drew themselves together. They
rose to their feet, standing at broken angles, ichor dripping from
open wounds. I stepped back in shock, breath caught in my throat.
Dirk
hadn't been joking when he said the dokkalf
commanded old magics.
My
companions redoubled their efforts, falling back to the doorway. All
chance for escape was cut off. We would have to make our way down
Albrecht's tunnel with his creatures nipping at our heels.
His
scent sharpened in my nostrils, and all sounds faded, just as they
had at the tavern. A spot between my shoulders tightened while I felt
once more like I was being watched. Stalked.
“You
don't have to stay with them.” Albrecht's voice, rich and sensual,
wrapped around me, holding me close the same as his presence did.
“You could leave them to their fate.”
I
turned slowly, though I wanted to whirl on the monster, attack him,
break whatever spell he used to control the creatures in the
entryway. Our eyes met, and I couldn't speak, let alone move. “Why
would I abandon my friends?”
Albrecht
stood in the dark doorway, embraced by shadows, though his eyes
gleamed a vibrant green. The air between us thickened as we stared,
though it grew cold instead of warm.
“Are
they really your friends? They use you as bait, treat you like a
child...think impure thoughts while keeping you all to themselves.”
His eyes narrowed and his tongue darted out across his lower lip.
“Would
you treat me any different? Or would you sacrifice and eat me like
all your other victims?” I managed to take one step back, though
the sounds of combat grew no louder.
Albrecht
smiled, revealing sharp teeth, and took a step out of the shadows.
“If I wanted to kill you, I've had plenty of opportunities to do
so. No,” he drawled, licking his lips again, “I want you for
something entirely different.”
The
mark on my neck tingled, and my insides tightened as I followed the
motion. “What...” I couldn't make any other words come out.
“What
would I have of you?”
I nodded, and Albrecht crooned low in his throat. “So very many
things, my darling. Things that cannot be said, only shown. And only
if you come to me willingly.”
“If
I don't?” My pulse raced, but I couldn't look away.
He
gestured to the fighting behind me. “Then you and your friends may
fight your way to freedom. You may all leave my territory with no
harm, and I will send no one after you.”
I
turned toward my friends and the fight. They were bunched up in the
doorway, fighting with desperation. Aidan tried to close one of the
doors, Brenna forcing the creatures away from that side. A wall of
darkened flesh, decaying and clawed, seethed and reached for the
hunters.
“Come
to me. Save their lives. Live your own.” Albrecht had moved closer,
stood directly behind me, his voice a low purr. “I will call my
pets off if you do. Or I can unleash them fully.”
The
sharp scent of his magic increased, as did the attacks of the
horrors. Dirk's blade was batted away, a claw finding his upper arm.
Chen was pummeled several times, and the entire group was forced
through the door and into the parlor. Creatures surged into the room,
threatening to flank them.
My
heart raced high in my throat, blood chilled in my veins. “What
kind of choice is this?” I whispered, taking a half step back.
“There
is a small chance you and yours could fight their way all the way to
the road. Very small. So allow me to offer something that has a much
better chance.” Albrecht's breath stirred my hair. “If you can
all make it back through just the front door, I will let you escape.
I will not chase, will not seek retribution, so long as you all leave
me alone.”
It
really wasn't a choice, no matter what he said. His creatures were
too strong, relentless. We were in unfamiliar territory with improper
weapons and no knowledge of their weakness.
But my
sacrifice could save everyone else. The little lamb could serve one
last task for her friends. I couldn't fight a way free with them, but
I could find them a path.
“Let
them go,” I whispered, leaning back, almost touching Albrecht.
“Call your beasts off, and I'm yours.”
The
dokkalf crooned,
lowering his mouth until it hovered just above my throat. “Of
course.” He gestured, and the shambling things collapsed to the
ground.
The
fight was over as quickly as it had begun. My friends halted,
stunned, expecting the creatures to stand back up. When they didn't,
everyone checked their wounds and equipment. Dirk turned. Our eyes
locked, and he smiled in relief.
Albrecht
set his mouth on my neck and pulled me into darkness.
