Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 23

The black silk sheets stirred in the star light as Malachi slept, his breathing slow and steady. Casper crept through the open window, landing silently on the frigid stone floor. He scanned the room, searching for any hint of silver that would betray the pendant's hiding place.

Casper's eyes darted to the bedside table, piled high with books and nicknacks. He rifled through them quickly but quietly, wincing at each scrape and thud. A floorboard creaked under his foot and he froze. Malachi stirred, his breathing growing ragged for a moment before evening out again. Casper let out the breath he'd been holding.

Where could it be? He had to find it before Malachi awoke. As he crept closer to the bed he realized the pendant still hung around Malachi's neck, the silver chain contrasting against his pale skin. Casper hesitated. If he tried to take it, Malachi would surely wake. But he had no choice. Steeling himself, Casper reached out a tentative hand towards Malachi's throat.

Casper's fingers brushed against the cool metal of the pendant. He held his breath as he delicately pinched the chain between his thumb and forefinger. Moving slowly, he began to lift the necklace over Malachi's head.

Suddenly, Malachi's hand shot up and grabbed Casper's wrist in an iron grip. Casper cried out in surprise as Malachi's haunting eyes flew open.

"What do we have here?" he said, his voice dripping with menace.

Casper struggled against Malachi's hold, but it was useless. Malachi sat up in bed, the sheets falling away to reveal his bare, muscular chest.

"I never took you for a thief, Casper," Malachi said softly. Though his voice was quiet, his eyes blazed. "Did you really think you could steal from me?"

"I'm sorry," Casper gasped. "I didn't mean-"

"Silence!" Malachi roared, throwing Casper to the ground.

Malachi loomed over him, tall and terrifying. "You will pay for this betrayal," he hissed.

His hand began to glow as he summoned his dark magic.

Casper squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself.

As Malachi's hand glowed brighter, the magic swirling and crackling as he prepared to strike Casper down.

"Please, don't do this," Casper begged. "I made a mistake, let me explain"

"No more words," Malachi snarled. "You will suffer for your disloyalty."

He raised his glowing hand, ready to unleash the full force of his power. Casper reacted on pure instinct, kicking out and sweeping Malachi's legs out from under him. Malachi fell with a cry, the magic in his hand dissipating.

Casper leaped to his feet. Malachi was already recovering, rolling to stand up. Casper looked wildly around the room. The door was too far. The window?

Malachi regained his footing and stalked towards Casper. "You'll pay for that as well," he growled.

Casper backed away until he felt the window ledge against his legs. Malachi advanced, murder in his eyes. With no other choice, Casper hoisted himself up onto the ledge and dove out the open window.

He hit the ground hard, pain shooting through him. Ignoring it, he scrambled to his feet and took off running into the night. Malachi's enraged roar echoed behind him. Casper ran faster, his only thought was to get as far away as possible.

The discordant notes of Moonlight Sonata clashed as Sarah's fingers slipped from the piano keys. A shout and a crash echoed down the hall from Malachi's room. She leapt up, the unfinished melody lingering in the air.

Sarah flew down the corridor, her heart hammering. What new chaos was this? She threw open the door, emerald fire blazing in her eyes. Crackling energy danced across her fingertips, ready to face the unknown threat.

The room was still as she entered except for the small breeze that filtered through sheer curtains. Malachi stood at the window, his hands clenched on the sill, his back rigid with tension.

Sarah paused, the power dying from her eyes. Cautiously, she approached Malachi, laying a tentative hand on his shoulder. He flinched under her touch.

"What happened?" she asked softly.

Malachi turned, the moonlight carving sharp angles of his face. He pulled her close without a word, enveloping her slender frame. Sarah relaxed against him, her cheek pressed to his chest. She could hear his heart pounding as she waited patiently for his reply.

Malachi released her, turning back to the window.

Sarah glanced around, taking in the chaos for the first time. Pillows tossed about, books strewn across the floor, the lamp a crumpled ruin.

"Did the prisoners escape?" she asked, alarm rising within her.

Malachi shook his head, a bitter smile twisting his lips. "No, our 'friend' Casper has a death wish, it seems."

Sarah frowned, piecing it together.

She moved closer to Malachi again, seeking to comfort him. But his body remained taut, his rage simmering just beneath the surface. Sarah rested her cheek against his arm, gazing out into the silver-kissed night beyond the window. For now, the manor was still whole. But she wondered how long that would last.

Sarah let out a soft sigh, her breath fogging the glass. "What did he take?" she asked

quietly.

Malachi turned, a spark of fury in his eyes. "What makes you think he took anything?"

Sarah gestured around them. "He was searching for something important enough to do all this. What was it?"

Malachi's jaw clenched. He seemed to debate his next words carefully. "The key," he finally bit out. "The damned fool stole the cell key."

Sarah's eyes widened. If Casper had that key...

Malachi moved away, pacing the ravaged room like a caged beast. Sarah watched him, her mind spinning. Casper was clearly moving against them. But to what end?

"We'll get it back," she said firmly, as much to steady her own nerves as Malachi's. He paused, regarding her. For a moment she thought she saw a flicker of gratitude in those cold icy eyes.

"Yes," he agreed, "we will."

His voice held a deadly promise. Sarah shivered, wrapping her arms tighter around herself. The night felt colder now and the moon's light was no longer comforting.