The Empire of Darkness
l
think I could
ant in my hand
overhead light casting sharp shadows on the cracked wall
re. Watching me. Leaving breadcrumbs
etti has inserted hi
d be te
't paralyze me
s to women like me when me
never, ne
ely step into the main
otion
ices. F
door sw
i
today, his sleeves are rolled up, exposing the ink along his forearms. He
n them. The man is bleeding heavily from a wound in
ction before
sharp, steady. I grab gloves and g
ack, watching.
f me, on the jagged wound torn through his
f blood," I mutter
abriel says smooth
nst my nerves. The co
ead, I grab the sca
movements, the pained groans of my patient, and the
d is deep, but I stop the bleeding, st
es. "He needs rest. No sudden movements. Kee
No praise. No thank
ritat
steps forwar
hesitate,"
ot when someone's l
slightly, consid
his pocket and pulls
te
ke
en two fingers. "You
. "Excu
heard
keep my expression neut
s no amusement in his eyes
n my chest. "I hav
e unconscious man I jus
n my stomach. "Wha
ticularly stubborn child. "It
incredulous sound.
ser, his presence suf
t pound
ezza, you belo
ust from his words, but
ke a t
a f
my hea
ngerously soft. "You want to survive? You w
the key
he says, but we b
at the cold cert
not w
dy close enough to leave war
, king, devil-is offering m
with gold
t I'm cons
I
p down, I a
y only chance
o his hous
a ho
ort
ddamn castle, high walls, security ca
eak as he lea
e floors, dark leather furniture, gold ac
ating. It's
of a door. Unloc
n't
m," he sa
You expect me to j
"Unless you'd r
. "Go t
laugh. It's dark
what you've just s
kn
f me-some deep, broken p
om, the door click
rs, I wonder if I've just mad
he b
etti isn't just off
ering me
th
re dangerous than the