Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 11

Ivy limped into Malachi's office, her clothes torn and disheveled. One eye was swollen shut, and her lip was split and bleeding. She leaned heavily on her staff, halting with each step.

Malachi turned from the window, his eyes flashing as he took in her battered appearance.

"What happened?" he demanded. His voice was icy, barely controlled.

Ivy flinched, clutching her staff. "I'm sorry, my lord. The mission...it didn't go as planned."

In two swift strides, Malachi crossed the room. His hand cracked across her cheek. Ivy cried out, more in shock than pain, as her head jerked to the side. Slowly, she turned back, gingerly touching her stinging face.

Malachi loomed over her; his expression thunderous. "You dare show your face here after failing me?" His words were soft, which only made them more menacing.

Ivy shrank back, baring her teeth in a feral hiss. Her nails lengthened into claws, and for a moment her eyes glowed silver in the dim light.

Malachi's lip curled in disgust. "Pathetic," he spat.

Malachi stared into Ivy's eyes, tracing his fingers along her cheekbone. His smile was tender, almost loving, belying the sinister gleam in his pale eyes.

"Such a shame it has to end this way," he purred, his hand sliding down to grip her neck.

Ivy gasped, clutching at his wrist, her nails scraping uselessly against his skin. Panic flooded her gaze as she stared up at him. He could feel the frantic beat of her pulse against his palm.

With a sharp twist, he snapped her neck. The light in her eyes flickered out.

Her body went limp in his arms. He held her close for a moment, savoring the scent of her hair, the weight of her lifeless form against his chest.

Then he laid her gently on the floor, arranging her arms at her sides, smoothing the hair away from her face. She almost looked at peace now, if not for the unnatural angle of her head.

"A shame," he repeated softly. His work here was done. The lunar magic Ivy possessed would now belong to him, her identity consumed by the shadows.

Malachi paused, relishing the surge of power flowing through his veins. He could feel her lunar powers awakening within him. Satisfaction curled his lips into a smile.

A sharp knock interrupted his thoughts. The door creaked open, and his servant Roan peered out with a nervous expression.

"Apologies for disturbing you, my Lord," Roan said. "You have a visitor waiting in the study. He claims it is a matter of business."

Malachi arched his brow. Few dared to approach him uninvited, and those foolish enough to do so rarely came on benign errands. Still, his curiosity was piqued.

"Business, you say? Very well, show our guest in." Malachi adjusted the cuffs of his sleeves, preparing to meet this unforeseen visitor. "Let's see what he wants."

Roan bowed and retreated. Malachi strode toward the study, quickening his steps in anticipation. The day was turning out to be interesting after all.

Malachi found Casper lounging on the leather couch in his study, looking far too at ease for an uninvited guest. His lips curled into a sly smile at the sight of Malachi, revealing a flash of pearly white teeth.

"There you are," Casper said. "I was beginning to wonder if your man had forgotten about me."

Malachi glowered, bristling at the insolence. "What are you doing here?"