DARK DEALINGS: A Warlock's Legacy

1. Mark of a Rival

Kadas Evilian strode through the darkened halls of the Library of Shadows, his cloak trailing behind him like a gathering storm. Dust particles shimmered in the dim, enchanted lights, casting eerie shadows that flickered along the towering shelves. He had searched many places in his time, but the Library of Shadows was one of the most secretive—only a select few were even aware of its existence. It was rumored to hold grimoires and spellbooks that even the most powerful mages feared.

But Kadas wasn't easily intimidated.

The warlock moved with purpose, eyes scanning the shelves as he muttered to himself, "Book of Lamenting Flames... How to Shackle Spirits... Bound Incantations..." His voice trailed off, frustration beginning to flicker in his cold, dark eyes. The book he sought wasn't there.

Kadas had come here for one thing: the Grimoire of Fiendish Desires, a rare and dangerous tome said to contain spells that would allow him to summon and control a succubus. The book was rumored to be locked away in the deepest corners of the library, hidden from those who might misuse its pages. But he was a man of purpose—he wasn't looking for chaos. He had plans, and the summoning of a succubus was just the beginning.

He continued down the aisles, his gaze sharp and unyielding, until he reached a section marked by a symbol that caught his attention: a pair of crossed horns beneath a crescent moon. He grinned. This was the section dedicated to forbidden spells, specifically those related to demonic entities. The books here were older, dustier, with spines cracked and faded by time.

Kadas scanned the rows, his eyes falling on a thick, black tome with silver runes along the spine: The Grimoire of Fiendish Desires. His breath caught. He had finally found it.

Pulling it from the shelf, he held it reverently in his hands, feeling the latent power thrumming beneath the worn leather cover. But as he flipped through the pages, anticipation turning to eagerness, he felt his excitement drain away, replaced by a chill of disbelief.

The crucial pages were missing.

Kadas rifled through the book, a low growl rising in his throat. The chapter that held the ritual for summoning a succubus had been ripped out. It was unmistakable—jagged remnants of pages clung to the spine, as if torn out in a hurry. His fingers curled into fists, his dark energy seething just beneath his skin.

"Who dares?" he muttered, his voice a harsh whisper in the empty library. Kadas clenched his jaw and scanned the remaining pages, hoping there might be a clue as to who had last used the grimoire, or even why they had taken these specific spells.

But the pages revealed little. The remaining spells were intact—incantations to charm lesser demons, to commune with spirits from the underworld, but nothing as powerful as the summoning ritual for a succubus. It was as if someone had purposely removed only that which he sought.

He closed the book slowly, his mind racing. It was no accident that these pages were missing. This was a deliberate act by someone who knew what the book contained and feared its power—or perhaps wanted it for themselves.

He couldn't leave empty-handed. Turning the book over, Kadas scrutinized the spine and the cover for any hint of additional markings, any clue left behind. Just as he was about to give up, he noticed something faint, an impression along the inside cover—a small, rune-like symbol etched into the leather.

The symbol was one he recognized. It was the mark of Vareth Tullian, a rival warlock known for his trickery and underhanded dealings. They had crossed paths before, each pursuing ancient magic, each viewing the other as an irritating obstacle. Kadas clenched his teeth. Of course it was Vareth.

"Very clever, Tullian," Kadas muttered under his breath. "But two can play this game."

Determined, he closed the book and headed back through the winding shelves, his mind whirling with ideas. If Vareth had torn out the pages, there was a chance he still had them—or had at least copied the summoning spell somewhere else. Vareth was notorious for leaving decoys and false trails, but Kadas knew enough about his rival to guess his next move. There were whispers that Vareth kept his personal collection hidden in the crypts beneath his manor, guarded by illusions and traps.