Darkness Splintered by Keri Arthur

Author:Keri Arthur
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2013-11-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Ania were minor demons and were generally summoned to perform tasks such as harassment, assault, and murder. The last two times they’d come after me they’d done so under orders from the Raziq, and I had no doubt that was who had sent them this time.

The attack itself wasn’t really surprising. If my father was aware that the sorcerer had the second key, then surely the Raziq would be. The only surprising thing was the fact they’d taken so long to get around to doing anything about it.

Another wisp of silver stirred to my left. There was more than one Ania here. But there had been the other times, too.

I rose, drew Amaya, then reached out for Azriel. Houston, we have a problem.

What? His reply was instant, concerned.

Ania.

I cannot transport from inside the Brindle. It will take me a few seconds—

No, I cut in, as a third flicker appeared. This one was closer than the others. I swung Amaya lightly from side to side, a warning of what would happen if they got close, and one I knew they would ignore.

What do you mean, no? Has insanity caught hold of you in the brief time I’ve been away?

More than likely. Despite the situation, amusement bubbled through me. But that’s beside the point. You said it yourself—the Raziq can’t hurt me.

That doesn’t mean you should let them snatch you.

But if I don’t, they’ll go after Ilianna or Tao instead. I won’t put them in any more danger than I already have, Azriel.

You value the life of your friends more than you value your own. His frustration and anger rolled through me, singeing my soul.

I’m no happier about this than you are. I somehow managed to keep my tone even. Reacting in anger wasn’t going to help the situation—I’d learned that from past mistakes, if nothing else. And I certainly have no desire to be pulled apart again.

Especially now that I was pregnant.

Then why go?

Because I do value the lives of my friends. The back of my neck tingled. The Ania’s numbers were growing, and it was all I could do to remain still. Look, what’s the worst they can do? They can’t kill me, because they still need me.

The Raziq are capable of more horrors than you could ever imagine.

Yeah, like making me think my flesh was melting from my hands. A shudder went through me and my stomach turned. That was another experience I had no desire to relive. They’ll snatch me, they’ll do their whole threatening spiel again, and then they’ll let me go. And we gain some time and space to find the damn key.

It is not worth—

It is, and you know it. I hesitated, fighting the urge to spin around and stab Amaya into the wispy hearts of the creatures who drew ever nearer. Amaya’s grumblings grew louder in my thoughts when I didn’t. You said you can find me anywhere now—will you also be able to hear me, even if the Raziq use their shield again?

Energy surged across my skin—Azriel, not more Ania.

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