Black Blood (Series of Blood Book 4) by Emma Hamm (scary books to read .TXT) 📕

magic and elemental forces Mercy wielded and felt her body breaking down with each powerful blow.

They made it to Mercy’s side, and Jasper pulled her into his arms. He whispered in her ear. His hands tracking across her body for all the wounds which had been inflicted.

The Phoenix and his host did not respond.

“Even a Phoenix can only do so many dark things before turning dark itself,” Lydia said.

“She’s killing everyone isn’t she?”

Lydia sent out her magic, tiny sparks of white light dancing through the city before swooping back to her. “She is. But it is not too late for her yet. Wake her up, Jasper. And when she is ready…” Lydia’s voice cracked. “Bring her to me.”

They deserved privacy, but Lydia could not drag herself away from them just yet. Together, they created a perfect portrait of loss and love. She was broken, and he was so determined to put her back together.

She watched the scene devolve, saw Malachi on his steed of stone and how he stole the unicorn horn from underneath Jasper’s nose. The man was smart. She could admit that. But intelligence did not mean he was unbeatable.

Flesh and bone called to her, whispering tantalizing words and promises in Pitch’s voice. She wasn’t done yet. Malachi was planning something, and she wanted to know what it was. The Future was available to her, but the Present flowed through her veins like poison.

Passing through the threads, she followed Malachi as he teleported to his base. The luxury of his home spiked her anger. There were so many of his followers living in poverty, and he still lived like this? Why did they follow him?

The white light of her magic passed over his bookshelves, shifting the skeleton of a Fairy she wasn’t certain how he had obtained. They hadn’t brought anything with them from the old dimension. Although, Pitch had brought her. Maybe others had found a way as well.

“Take this and put it somewhere safe.” Malachi’s voice cut through the air like a knife. He passed off the horn, holding it carelessly and tossing it into the air. “I trust there is no need to explain what I’ll do if you lose this?”

The Troll bowed multiple times as it backed out of the room. It cradled the Unicorn horn in its palms respectfully.

That was how one should touch such a magical object. Malachi did not care for the Unicorn or the magic, and that made her hate him all the more. If he was going to kill people, he could at least appreciate the lives he took.

His long braid swayed as he walked to his desk. He poured a glass of whiskey for himself, swirling the amber liquid in the light.

“I know you’re here,” he said as the door closed. “I do not know why you are hiding.”

Lydia sucked her power together. It contained her glow into the shape of a body, her intention to not touch whatever magical object he used to find her.

It backfired.

Malachi turned and skated his eyes over her form. “Ah, there you are.”

He shouldn’t have been able to see her. She wasn’t really there and Lydia had always been an observer in the timelines. The Present was obviously different.

“You don’t have to be shy. I can’t see who you are, but that doesn’t mean we cannot speak,” Malachi gestured with his glass. “I have many powerful creatures seek out my assistance. For you, I will provide any help you want without cost.”

“I doubt that.”

He stilled. The glass in his hand creaked as he clenched his fist. “You.”

“You recognize my voice?”

“I would never forget it. You took something from me.”

“Did I?”

“You did,” he growled. “But I cannot remember what it is.”

Another unexpected finding. The entire point of following Malachi had been to uncover his secrets, but Lydia had not expected these. He was more powerful than she gave him credit for. Or perhaps, he was ingesting more powerful creatures than she expected him to kidnap.

“What do you remember?” she tentatively asked.

“Your voice. Like a lullaby and the sound of the ocean rocking me to sleep. Except I didn’t want to sleep, and you were taking something precious. You violated my mind, little girl, and I’m going to take back what you stole.”

Lydia would like to see him try. Removing him from this plane would certainly make her job easier, and she was almost in the mood to do it. Her vision narrowed and focused on him.

“You must be a very brave man to threaten me.”

“Haven’t you heard what I can do?”

“Voids do not frighten me.”

“They should.”

He lunged toward her, hands outstretched to plunge into her chest. He passed straight through her and fell against the bookshelf with a bang.

“What?” His outraged shout echoed around them. His chest heaved with anger as he glared at her. “How is that possible?”

“I took your memory once, Void, I will do it again. Do not test me.”

Malachi jumped at her again, but Lydia was tired of his foolishness. Her power lashed out and pressed against his shoulders. He fell onto his knees before her.

“You will bow to me,” her voice rang with magic. “Your place is on your knees.”

He glared up at her and laughed. “Now I can see you. Your light is dimming and revealing your true face. A woman made of moths, how interesting.”

Lydia dipped into his mind to see herself through his eyes.

Light magic whipped around her like banners in the wind. Moths crawled all over her body, hiding her true face from him. Glimmering light would have blinded weaker men, but Malachi was more powerful than she anticipated.

A moth crawled over her mouth and a string of golden thread waved in front of her face.

“There cannot be many creatures who have your affinity for winged insects,” he muttered. “I will find you, and when I do, I will destroy you. I will devour your soul and you will beg for mercy.”

He spat at her. The liquid traveled through her form and splattered over