The leshane let out another low chuckle. My chest rose and fell as I exclaimed, “I didn’t invite you in. There was no contract.”
Fae magic is our intention. The rules are the same for you as any other, the leshane replied. You wanted to save your people at any cost. You invited me in as your father died, and you signed a contract when you agreed to become the Phantom. You desired a way to rescue Malovia, and I gave it to you. I own you now.
“I don’t agree to this. I cast you out.”
But you did agree. You told your mate you wouldn’t give me up. You chose me over your bond to her. That’s binding magic. The leshane smoothed back his— mine— our... hair. Like it or not, we’re stuck together now.
What a sick mess I’d made of things. This was far worse than I’d ever expected. The signs were there, and I should’ve seen them. How could I have been so blind?
Still, I wasn’t going to let this demon use me like a doll. I had to fight back. “What do you want from me?”
Patience. All will come in due time.
“Like hell!” I ground out through clenched teeth. “You made me into a monster! You made me kill people, made me get lost in my own blood lust, you made me hurt Emma!”
I made you do none of those things. I only provided the opportunity, the leshane replied. I gave suggestions, and you acted upon them. Those were all your choices, Prince of the Arcanea. I cannot force you to do anything.
I wanted to tell myself that it was a lie. The leshane was a demon straight from the Underworld. Why would he speak the truth?
And yet... I’d be telling myself falsehoods if I believed that. The Phantom had whispered ideas in my ear, but I didn’t have to listen to them, or even respond. I could’ve chosen a different path. I could’ve ceased to act.
But I didn’t. I’d longed to rule Malovia at any price. And that kind of desperation had opened me up and left me vulnerable. I had never hesitated when the Phantom thought of something. I always followed whatever he offered.
The leshane might be a demon, but it was I who was the monster.
“You won’t keep me for long,” I growled. “I’ll find a way to get you out of my soul. Don’t be getting too comfortable.”
The leshane chuckled. You can try to get rid of me, but you will find I am very difficult to persuade to leave. I like this new life. And sooner or later, it will be mine. Then Prince Ethan will be gone forever, and the Phantom will be all that remains.
I screamed aloud and punched the mirror. It shattered into pieces, taking away my reflection. The glass scattered on the floor and my hand spurted blood, but I didn’t care. The pain of glass embedded in my knuckles was nothing compared to the horror pounding through my heart.
The leshane was gone from my sight, but I knew he was still lurking around. I could feel him inside, his laughter ringing in my head as shadows reflected from the flames and onto the walls, surrounding me like the pits of hell.
Blood dripped from my fingers to the floor as I thought of my options. Demon possession wasn’t shit to joke about. If I didn’t get this demon out of me, and soon— he’d take over. The leshane would have full control over my body forever, and there wasn’t anything I could do to stop him.
Unless this spirit could be exorcised or destroyed somehow, I was in a hell of a lot of trouble. This situation was very, very dire.
I hated myself as I realized what I had done. I’d put my bond with Emma in jeopardy, and for what? Revenge? A way to get back at Gabby and Elijah? Now there was a wedge between us, and this demon was determined to make that canyon as wide as it could be.
Our bond was the one thing that could still save me. There was magic there that resisted the demon’s hold on me— probably why he hadn’t made his appearance until now. Emma’s love had forced him to remain at a distance. The absence of that affection gave him more than enough room nor to step in.