Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 8

Malachi slammed his fist against the stone wall, cracking the withered bricks. "He dares betray me?" Ivy stood motionless, her pale eyes studying the flickering shadows. "The moonstone guardian has been training him in secret. It seems Max plans to rescue Sarah."

A snarl curled Malachi's lips as rage simmered beneath his flesh. He grasped a shard of glass from the floor and squeezed until blood dripped between his fingers. The sharp pain only fueling his anger.

"After everything I've given him, the ungrateful bastard turns against me." Malachi flung the glass into the fireplace, the embers scattering with a burst of sparks. "You have to stop them,

Ivy. Kill them both before they foil my plans."

Yes sir." Ivy's voice was flat and lifeless as always. She had served him for decades, her loyalty unwavering despite the atrocities he'd forced her to commit.

Malachi gazed into the fire, watching as the flames twisted and danced. An idea slithered into his mind, and he conjured a beast with claws of obsidian and eyes of flame. The creature let out a bone-chilling shriek as hunger radiated from its shadowy form.

"Take this with you." Malachi grasped the beast, his palm searing against its icy touch, and hurled it toward Ivy. The creature latched onto her, melding with her body until no trace remained. "Let it feast on their flesh once you have ended them. Now go, and do not fail me." Ivy glided across the floor without a sound, slipping into the corridor and vanishing from sight. Malachi stared into the fire once more, a grim smile twisting his lips. Let Max and his guardian try to stand against such a monster. Their fate was sealed.

Malachi sank into his throne, steepling his fingers as he contemplated the future. Once

Ivy had disposed of Max and the Moonstone Guardian, nothing would stand between him and Sarah. She would be his, bound to him in body and soul, her power magnifying his own until he became a god among men.

A surge of anticipation rushed through his veins at the thought. He had waited so long, schemed and sacrificed to reach this goal. Soon, his patience would be rewarded.

The fire crackled as Malachi watched, listening for any signs of warning, but the fire remained silent.

Let Max come. Let him try to be the hero he so desperately wants to be. In the end, he would fail, and Malachi would emerge victorious.

Sarah's power would be his and the realm would tremble at his feet.

And there was nothing anyone could do to stop him.

He leaned back into the throne, steepling his fingers once more. The waiting game had begun. Now, it was time to watch and see if his beast would feast tonight.