Page 91 of Corrupt Shadows
“I’m not speaking to you,” he says, meeting my gaze, and glares at me. He seems to look through me now that I think about it.
I realize he’s talking to my magic.
“Yes, I remember. Didn’t it feel good to play with my shadows at the manor?”
My body seems to hum in response, like something deep within me is responding to him. Millions of tiny vibrations cascade throughout my body, then a totally unique sensation floods through me. It’s neither painful nor pleasant, but somewhere in between.
“Good. So you do remember.” He seemingly answers himself. “Then stop being fucking bratty like your witch and do as you’re told. You need training just as much as she does.”
“What the fuck, Lorcan?” Confusion muddles my brain. Did I trip on a tree root and bash my head on a rock? I touch my fingers to my temple, then bring them in front of me. Nope, no blood. None of this makes sense.
“You’re as sane as you ever were,” Lorcan says, tipping his head to the side.
“Then who the hell are you talking to?”
“Your magic.” He pinches my chin between his fingers painfully. His claws extend and threaten to pierce through my skin.
“You spoke to my magic.”
“Yes.” Lorcan lowers his hand, then widens the space between us. “Start over.”
“Why should I? It won’t be any different this time.”
“Just fucking do it.” He sighs, rubbing his temples. “Now.”
“We’re not done talking about this. You will explain how you are communicating with my magic.”
“Fine,” he says and nods his bearded chin toward my target. He leans against a nearby tree and crosses his thick tattooed arms over his chest, the definition of his toned muscles bulging in the right places under his fitted T-shirt. He flexes his biceps, tapping his forefinger on the opposite arm, when he catches me staring. “I’m waiting, witch.”
My cheeks heat. Get it together, girl, I chastise my pussy mentally. He chuckles as he lights a cigarette.
Like Lorcan instructed, I position myself in front of the massive pine before me. My quads flex beneath my jeans as I brace my legs, one foot farther forward than the other. Char marks cover the trunk, and pieces of rough bark lie on the forest floor around its base. I release the air from my lungs, then use a shadow to toss a stick in front of the tree. The branch flies seamlessly through the air until another shadow catches it precisely over the ‘X’ Lorcan carved into the tree with his shadows.
I close my eyes, then open them, determination brewing in my core. Chills sweep along my skin. I’ve never felt this way before, almost in harmony with both my shadow and death magics. But the bond is unfamiliar, like they chose to never let me close enough to truly feel their unique vibrations. Does my magic resent me? Goddamn him. How did he know that would work? A surge of jealousy throbs in my belly. How is it possible that the demon understands my magic better than I do? He even seems to have a relationship with it, for fuck’s sake.
“Good girl,” Lorcan purrs, dragging me out of the dark web of my thoughts. My core warms with the praise, and he steps up behind me. “You’re still hesitant to unleash your death magic. I’ve seen you unleash it several times, but it’s always in stressful or emotional circumstances.”
I raise my eyebrows and pop out one hip.
“With practice, summoning the magic within you will be as effortless as breathing.” Lorcan grabs my shoulders and places me in front of him. “Close your eyes,” he whispers against the back of my ear.
I do as he asks, anxiety churning in my belly.
“Do you want to go insane? You have to fully let it in to prevent that outcome.”
I hold my breath, squeezing my fists. Lorcan’s hands cover mine, and he pries my hands open. “Be easy, little witch. I’m here to aid you if anything gets out of hand. But you need to trust in yourself and your magic. You can’t keep fearing it.”
I suck in a breath, my chest inflating.
“Do it, and maybe I’ll hunt you again. Force your needy pussy open and fill it with my cock.” He inhales deeply, his chest brushing against my shoulder blades. “Your cunt smells delicious, especially when it’s soaking for me.” His stubble tickles my neck as he rests his chin on my shoulder. “My filthy fucking slut,” he growls.
Lorcan drapes his arms over my shoulders as I straighten my spine and glare at the tree. I focus on the death magic within me and inhale deeply. In my mind’s eye, I conjure the image of a sphere dense with death magic hovering in my chest. I expel the ball of magical energy from my chest, and it blasts into the tree, pieces of gray bark dispersing into the air. My jaw drops as a hole is burned completely through the trunk.
“Oh my God.” My head whips around, then my eyes flash to Lorcan.
He doesn’t say anything, only smirks. “Are you ready to try shadow-walking?”
***