“There,” Eli said, folding Josef’s fingers around the hilt. “Now let’s get out of here.”
Nico couldn’t agree more. They couldn’t see the fighting from where they were, but the sounds coming from the crater that had been the arena were horrible enough that she didn’t want to. Using Josef’s arm for leverage, they got the Heart on his chest, and Eli tied it down using a strip of Josef’s shredded shirt. When the swordsman was secure, Eli grabbed his shoulders while Nico got his legs and together they carried him out of the wreckage to the road.
It was slow going. Josef was amazingly heavy and the road was constantly blocked by toppled buildings, forcing them to retrace their steps and go around. They kept to the side streets as much as possible, but even when they had to use the large main roads, they saw no one. Except for the League men at the arena, the city was empty. The bandits were long gone, and Nico didn’t blame them one bit. She would have run too if she could have.
Yes, you’re very good at running.
Nico closed her mind and focused on keeping up with Eli’s grueling pace.
By the time they reached the canyon wall that separated the bandit city from the surrounding forest, her knees were ready to buckle. Josef’s body seemed to grow heavier with every step. Her arms ached with the strain of holding him. Sweat dripped into her eyes, making them burn, but worst of all was her transformed hand. Though she’d wrapped her demon claw in her coat as best she could, she could still feel Josef’s flesh through the cloth, feel the life in him calling out. The claws twitched in anticipation. The raw hunger she felt every time her transformed fingers brushed Josef’s skin made her ill, but she could not let him go.
You’re only having this problem because you refuse to accept yourself, the Master said with a sigh. How many times have you carried the swordsman’s unconscious carcass? Fifty? A hundred? More? You never had problems helping him then. Now look at you, ready to fall over after a quarter mile.
Nico tightened her grip. Unfortunately, it only made her hand itch worse as she pressed it into the flesh of Josef’s calf.
If you would only accept reality, everything would be so much simpler. For the first time that she could remember, the Master’s voice sounded earnest. I can help you control the hunger. I can even help you remember what you’ve forgotten. I can make you a god among insects, Nico. A power Eli Monpress would treasure above all others and a companion Josef Liechten would never abandon. I can make you everything you want to become. All you have to do is stop being stubborn. You are my child, my dearest daughter. I know more than anyone what it is like to be outcast. You don’t have to struggle on alone. Let me help you.
The words were so sweet, so sincere, that for a stumbling moment, Nico almost gave in. But then Nivel’s words, words, she realized with a stab of sadness, she would never hear her speak again, sounded loud and clear in her mind.
Never trust the voice.
What? The voice was sneering now, all sincerity gone. You’re still listening to that woman? That pathetic creature? Did you know she died without lifting a finger to save herself? Defeated by Sted, the one-armed, spirit-deaf, League reject? She died like a dog, whimpering and crying for her precious bear-headed freak of a husband. Is that the kind of strength you want?
The voice began to laugh, but Nico cut it off.
“You said she died without a fight,” she whispered fiercely. “But you said nothing about her giving in. She didn’t, did she? She died with her soul intact.”
I ate her soul and gave her seed to Sted, the Master said.
“No,” Nico said, eyes wide as the revelations tumbled through her mind, snapping into place one by one. “That would make her less powerful. You would never accept a weaker servant when you could have a stronger one. She beat you, didn’t she? Nivel died human. That’s why you had to give Sted her seed.” She stopped midstep, causing Eli to stumble.
“Nico?” Eli said, looking back. “What’s wrong? What are you muttering about?”
“She was the master of herself,” Nico said, her voice trembling with wonder. “You couldn’t take her.”
Eli gave her a nervous look. “Take who where?”
Don’t get cocky, the Master snarled. I’ve been very, very patient with you, Nico, but this is your last chance. An image invaded her mind, a long-fingered hand outstretched in the dark. Take it. Take it now and I promise you’ll never feel pain again.
Nico stared at the outstretched palm and, slowly and deliberately, spoke one word.
“No.”
The image vanished.
That is the last mistake you’ll ever make.