The Varcolac moved closer, its claws raking sparks against the steel floor and each step echoed like a countdown to death. The glow of its eyes cut through the dark like molten fire, like something born of nightmares and with every movement, the temperature around us seemed to plummet.
My body came very close to convulsing. Not from the cold, but from the pull of the bond. I didn't know why it was going off the rails now, could be because Darek was trying to find me and control me through it. His voice kept slithering through my veins like a toxin.
It wasn't just words, it felt like a deep hum demanding obedience. But worse than that, something inside me was already breaking apart.
The curse.
The curse was draining me, and making my strength bleed viciously. Every pulse of the bond tugged at me harder, ripping pieces of myself away until I could barely stand.
"Valden…" My whisper was hoarse and my throat was as raw as sandpaper.
