Obsidian - Miranda Bridges Page 0,51
some visitor, tapping at my chamber door—only this and nothing more.”
The madam points a shaking finger at me, her voice shrill. “Stop that, number four.”
I take the final step toward her, the bars now pressed against my body, the coldness of them seeping into my skin. And my darkness stirs, beginning in my soul and spreading through me.
“Darkness there and nothing more,” I whisper.
Madam Pim’s growl of rage fills the air, drowning out my words, before she stalks up to the cage, her claws raised. I don’t stop speaking, knowing that my actions are making her unhinged and blinded by anger. And when she’s within reach, I shoot out my hand and take her wrist prisoner. My power floods me, immediately transferring to her, and I slap my palm over her mouth to stifle her cry of pain.
“What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore. Meant in croaking, ‘Nevermore.’”
The tendrils spread, the inky strands snaking down her arms, up her neck, and across her cheeks. Meanwhile, I don’t loosen my hold, nor do I break my concentration. As her life force drains and she withers before me, I stand tall.
“You thought you’d captured a raven,” I say, my voice as quiet as a grave. “A small blackbird that was meant for nothing other than to be in your cage, for you to abuse and take prisoner. But I am no mere raven. I am a demoria, a messenger of justice and a harbinger of death, your death. Because I am number four nevermore.”
The light in the madam’s eyes dims as the last of her life leaves her body. After retrieving the key from her person, I let her fall to the floor in a graceless heap while I work the lock. The door swings open with a small push, and I step from my cage, free in more ways than one.
And just out of pure satisfaction, I kick her corpse once.
Then I close my eyes and inhale deeply, gathering darkness and shadow around my body as a cape, concealing me. With my footsteps light, I make my way from the room and toward the first floor of the brothel. Sounds of depravity drift to my ears, and I block them out, keeping my focus on Castien. He has to be safe; I will accept no other outcome.
He saved me, and now it’s my turn to save him.
Using the darkened hallway like he did the night he rescued me, I step from the building and into the night air. The bright neon lights cast a glow, but it is not enough for me to be seen easily.
However, I do notice two sets of silver tattoos, made brilliant by the holographic advertisements above.
“She’s nearby.”
“The commander said we needed to track the signal of the chip in his titanium card.” The Koraxian male runs his fingers through his dark hair, his gaze darting back and forth. “Yet I don’t see anyone remotely resembling a human, let alone a female.”
Like a wisp of vapor, I release the shadows around me, allowing them to quickly disappear. The two males instantly turn their heads in my direction, their mouths parted in obvious disbelief.
“Had I not seen her with my own eyes, I would not believe she isn’t a Koraxian.”
The other male nods. “What a sight to behold.”
Their gazes widen as I walk up to them, my strides swift and confident. “What is the name of your commander?”
“Castien,” they say in unison, their bodies straightening to attention.
One male gestures to himself. “I am Alrok. And this is Volron. Our commander gave us direct orders to locate you and bring you back to his ship. You go by the name of Jade, is that correct?”
I nod, acknowledging each of them before speaking. “So you’ve found Castien?” The hope inside burns a hole in my chest when Alrok shakes his head.
“You needn’t worry,” he says. “The commander is being tracked by the device he wears on his wrist. In fact, a group of soldiers is currently on the way to retrieve him.”
“Good.” I wave my hand, my sense of urgency rising. “You can take me to him.”
The males look at one another and then back at me. Volron slowly shakes his head.
“As much as we want to serve you, we have to follow our commander’s orders.”
Alrok nods. “Your safety is his priority, which means it is ours as well, Lady Jade. Please come with us so we can see to it that you are cared for