You can’t even begin to imagine. When he became Master, Corbin was a killing machine. No scruples, no remorse, no ability to empathize with anyone. Heads fell at the snap of his fingers, no questions asked—and trust me, we all had questions surrounding some of his decisions. But then Valaine was born, five thousand years ago, shortly after the last Black Fever subsided. He lost his wife in the process, but he gained a daughter. He was so happy. Fatherhood changed him.”
“Then he doesn’t sound as fearsome as you implied.”
“Derek. You’re not following me. I thought you’d be smarter than this,” Rodique said. “Right now, after five thousand years in the company of the only creature he truly loves—his daughter—Corbin has to kill her in order to save us. Can you imagine what it’s doing to him?”
I scoffed. “He didn’t seem all that affected. Just cold. Determined.”
“Yes. That’s the Corbin we’re all afraid of. He’s back, and he’ll have plenty of steam to blow off once Valaine is dead. You’re one of the unfortunate ones, Derek. Petra might have a bone to pick with you for an eternity, but Corbin has forever to torment you, to make you bleed, to make you suffer solely for the purpose of making him feel better about himself.”
Exhaling sharply, I sat down on the floor, crossing my legs.
“I suppose this is your way of what, exactly? Scaring me?” I asked, unable to hide my contempt. “Corbin will keep me here and torture me. Is that what you’re getting at?”
“Mm-hm. Just so you don’t get too comfortable. I’m trying to prepare you for what comes next.”
It was my turn to chuckle. “So... have you guys talked about what’s going to happen if the Spirit Bender doesn’t show up? I mean, you’ve summoned him, but has he said anything? Has he sent a message? A sign?”
“How do you know?” Rodique narrowed her eyes at me.
“I’ve got very good hearing,” I replied dryly. “So, anything yet?”
“Nothing. But I’m not concerned. He will come. He promised. This is the first and only time we’ve summoned him in five million years. He knows it’s serious.”
“Well, then… I’ve had enough of you for the time being. You’re not giving me anything interesting to work with here,” I said. “Why don’t you make yourself useful and bring Danika over? I’ve got something to tell her.”
For a Whip, Rodique didn’t seem as threatening as, say, Petra. But I knew her skills lay elsewhere. That smile of hers was deceitful. Her curves were meant to distract. Her raspy voice was designed to spin men’s heads. All pretty covers beneath which she hid her scythe. I didn’t want to be on the receiving end of her wrath.
And since I didn’t give her what she’d come here for—my fear—she was also befuddled. She didn’t know what to make of me, and she definitely had no idea how to break me. For a moment, she looked downright empty. Vapid. Brainless.
“I’m serious. Bring her over. I have something to tell her. Actually, you know what? Bring everyone over. I think you all need to hear it,” I said.
“What game are you playing?” she asked, as if trying to understand me.
“You’ll see,” I replied. “Come on. Gather around. Let good ol’ Derek tell you all a story.”
She opened her mouth to say something, but she changed her mind and walked out. Minutes later, all the Whips were present, Danika included, but there was no sign of Corbin. I wondered where he might be, but his presence wasn’t exactly a requirement at this point. Frankly, I would’ve liked to see the look of absolute helplessness on his face, but alas… I had these twelve to contend with.
“What do you want?” Danika demanded, pursing her lips at me. “You’ve gotten quite the attitude since we locked you in here.”
“Heh… what can I say, Your Grace?” I looked up at her. “Prison makes me snarky.”
“Go on, then. Speak,” Petra hissed. “Don’t waste our time.”
“Ah, right. I called you all here. Right, right,” I muttered, dragging things out for as long as I could. I knew they wouldn’t kill me. Both Petra and Rodique had confirmed it. They planned on killing Sofia and everyone else that mattered, but not me. That changed the way I interacted with them. “How’s the Spirit Bender? Has he said anything yet?”
Danika stiffened. “Why do you ask?”
“Good question,” Rodique muttered.
“Well, you didn’t have an answer, so I thought I’d ask the rest of them,” I said to