Page 77

She had told the truth.

And she had been punished for it before.

Rage flooded me.

Not hunger.

And with it, a fierce need to defend.

To shield.

To protect.

I watched her flee out the door and before I could follow, the one called Dietrich came to the door as if to chase her.

I moved before thought could stop me. Blocked his path with my bulk and a snarl.

“Back inside,” I growled.

And he paled beautifully.

“Who-who are you?”

“Draugr? That you?” Bench—a Monster I called friend—asked cautiously.

I didn’t bother with explanation.

“Who is she to you? The Necromancer.”

“Aye, is she claimed then, Revenant?” Dietrich asked.

The questions swatted against me like battering rams and I felt my inner beast surge.

My lip pulled back in a snarl that silenced the entire barroom before letting out the one word I never should’ve uttered aloud.

“Mine.”

The word tore free of me like prophecy.

And the Monster inside me howled.

Mine.

The pull sharpened into agony.

I needed to find her.

Introduce myself.

Claim.

Bite.

Drink.

No!

Control.