Nicklaus crumpled to the ground, limbs sprawled, body frighteningly still. "No!" I cried, choking on the word. My body trembled violently. Fear and grief tangled in my chest until I thought my heart might give out.
Malachi leaned close, violet eyes burning. "Where. Is. My. Son?"
But something else burned in my mind besides Malachi's menacing words.
The voices.
At first, whispers. Slithering. Sliding through the cracks of my mind.
Let me out. Let me out. You're weak, Maeve. Pathetic. Let me out. You know you need me. Let me out!
I clutched my head, sobbing harder. "No, no, not now—"
Without warning, Malachi's hand suddenly clamped on my shoulder, and he twisted, a sickening pop as the joint tore from its socket.
Pain screamed through every nerve in my body. My vision went white. My consciousness fractured.
The voices surged, pounding louder, insistent, drowning out even my screams.
LET ME OUT.
