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