CHAPTER 22
REMMIE
The darkness of this place is unnatural.
But we are in a witch’s lair. I would laugh if I wasn’t a captive.
Seriously though, I did not truly know what I was getting myself into.
I just wanted to be Shades baker in shining armor.
But if I’m right, I can grab Shade to free him from the spell.
Just have to get an opening where he’s close to my hands or maybe a kiss.
“I’m actually happy your here, baker girl. You coming to me will make killing you much easier.” Dalia laughs.
Shade stumbles a bit behind me at her words, but Dalia doesn’t notice. It means he’s still in there and maybe, I can try to reach him.
“Shade. Please snap out of it.” I whisper to him.
“It’s no use, cotton candy. He won’t respond to you. Even with your mate bond.” Dalia uses air quotes at that, causing my heart rate to spike.
If I get any sort of chance today, I’m definitely punching her fake lashes off her smug face. The hallway we’re walking down split into three separate paths, and dark figures start floating out of the darkness.
“What in the Hells?” I gasp.
“Oh. I know you’ve seen my servants around the city. What do you think of them up close?” Dalia asks.
Shadows.
All of these so-called servants were shadows.
Wisps of black mist that look like- people.
Both human and monster in form. They moved around us, undisturbed by our presence.
Like they really couldn’t see us standing here.
I’m over here trying not to freak out and Shade doesn’t react to them at all.
It was disturbing and heart breaking. And the truth of Dalias darkness becomes so much clearer.
"What have you done to them?" I ask.
"Once I've drained all of their magical, they become my servants forever.
They are hauntingly beautiful, aren't they?
Forever mine." Dalia coos as she ran her fingers through one of the shadows. Its form rippled at her touch, becoming solid almost instantly. I could have gone my entire life never knowing this kind of evil existed. But I know I’ll never be able to look away now.
Is this what she plans to do with Shade?
Or with me? We continue forward through the middle hallway, which seems to go on forever, no turn or door in sight.
What turning into a rescue mission for Shade
Finally, a light shines at the end of the hall, opening up to a larger room. Weird Science much? This room was a witch version of a medical lab. Vials and papers on every table surface. A metal chair sat in the center of the room, complete with wrist and ankle straps.
Yay, another torture chair. Just my luck.
“I know. I know. You’re thinking I need to organize better.” Dalia jokes. “Shade, my pet. Please strap her to the chair.”
I try to resist, dragging my feet to keep me from moving. But Shade holds my bound wrists, pushing me forward. I’m forced into the chair, Shade making quick work to attach my arms to it. I don’t think I’ll ever try bondage in the bedroom after this.
“When I first tried this, it wasn’t very successful.
Lots of death. But when it did work, it came with a strange side effect.
My lovely shadow servants. I think you will enjoy being one.
This shouldn’t take too long. You don’t have much magic to take.
” Dalia starts chanting and I can feel the air leave the room.
The already dim lights flicker like a power surge and a low ringing sting my ears.
Luckily my pendant is stopping the worst of whatever supposed to happen.
I look down at Shade, who’s about to tie my ankles to the chair. It’s now or never. I refuse to spend the rest of forever as a shadow attached to this horrible woman. I push through the discomfort and try again to get Shade’s attention.
“Shade. Please look at me.” I plead to him. He lifts his head with great effort, eyes meeting mine. I can see how hard he’s struggling, so I really hope this plan works.
“Take it off.” I say before crashing my lips to his.