Shadelands by Rachel Randall

Author:Rachel Randall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachel Randall
Published: 2022-08-25T19:02:32+00:00

Chapter 18

Nia woke to voices. But her ears didn’t hear them. Like her conversations with Ease, these voices were perceived only in her mind. One voice—she could have sworn she’d heard it before—was deep like an organ. The air went cold whenever the creature spoke. The other voice was younger and had an air of poise and intelligence. It, too, was strikingly familiar. With grim certainty, she realized the voice belonged to Pester. She strained her mind to perceive the conversation.

“Not that I don’t believe you. But I insist on studying the corpse thoroughly to be sure.”

In spite of herself, Nia shivered in revulsion.

“By all means, my lord,” said Pester calmly.

‘My lord’? Nia thought. Oh no. He’s talking to Lord Accuse! Keeping perfectly still, she sensed the imp lord near her feet. His icy presence froze her to the bone. For a moment, she wondered if she was the corpse being studied. The thought confused her.

“Ease,” Lord Accuse muttered. “I should have known.”

A surge of panic rose in Nia’s throat. Ease? No! She can’t be dead! Not after all the kind things she did for me. She deserved better than to die in the service of an utterly useless girl!

“This is her body,” Lord Accuse confirmed. “You aimed well with the killing spell. But I see no torture marks. Eager much to get it over with, Pester?”

At this, Nia boiled with rage. How dare he be the one to cast the killing blow! How dare he leave me without a hope in the world!

“She was greatly weakened by our combined magic, sir, but so was I. I felt too drained to use magic to prolong her death much further. I hope I didn’t err?” said Pester, a touch of nervousness in his voice.

“No, no. You didn’t err,” Lord Accuse said thoughtfully. “You do look drained. Very well. Receive my full pardon. I assume Vex is still subject to you?”

“Yes, sir,” said Pester. He sounded relieved.

“Good, good. You know, I could use someone like you in my service. Your lullaby has proven quite effective. Get rid of the girl, and I could have you work alongside Ire and Prattle.”

Nia’s heart froze in terror. The imp lord was trying to get Pester to kill her.

“M-my lord! That’s very generous of you,” Pester stammered. “But I’m afraid I can’t accept it.”

“Oh?” asked Lord Accuse, his tone surprised and disappointed.

“It’s a great honor to be noticed by Your Excellence. I’m deeply flattered. But your servant has not the ability—nor the drive—to rub shoulders with the likes of Ire and Prattle. They are Originals. I am but a humble underling with no greater ambition than to quietly live out my days with a mine drudge among similar companions to myself. If in the future I find myself without mines or drudges, and should I attain greater capabilities than I currently possess, I’d most certainly reconsider your offer.”

Nia’s mind reeled. How could a murderer like Pester be so humble and reasonable? It didn’t make sense.

“I can’t argue with an underling wanting a simple life,” Lord Accuse said regretfully.

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