Chapter 47 A Deal With Darkness

• Power hummed through the air like an untuned frequency. As my mind struggled to cope with the weird pressure of the Unseen Realm, it reeled. With strained breaths, Sebastian leaned hard on me. Every shadow appeared to move and twist, as if a thousand eyes were seeing everything we do.
• I couldn't look away from the man in front of us, he was captivating as he stood on the brink of night, a smug smile spread across his face. It's seems like a mocking, icy glow that made my skin crawl. Archer, the traitor who had almost ruined everything we had battled for, was someone I immediately recognized.
• "Archer." My hand tightened around the mark that still charred my skin as I spat his name like a curs He bowed slowly and mockingly, extending one arm as though he were a deranged courtier. "Evelyn. Sebastian. What a pleasant surpris Sebastian gritted his teeth and straightened. "Archer, this isn't a social call. What are you looking fo Archer's eyes sparkled with laughter as his grin grew. It's not me who doesn't belong here. It was you who inadvertently entered *my* territor With my eyes narrowed, I stepped forward. "Archer, don't act like you're in charge of this. With or without your assistance, we'll figure out a solutio The sound of his laughter was low and icy. Evelyn, I believe you have a misunderstanding. You can't go until I *permit* it. I can control the Unseen Realm. Additionally, you are trespasser Despite the uneasiness in my gut, I made myself look him in the eye. "So, what do you want? How much does it cos Something sinister took the place of Archer's smile. He took a step closer, engulfing the dim light with his shadow that stretched across the floor. "Oh, Evelyn, I believe you understand what I want. I have been anticipating this moment—waiting for you to recognize your desperatio Sebastian's face hardened as he tried to block my passage. "Your assistance is not required. We'll figure something ou Archer let out a scathing laugh. Sebastian, you don't have time for that. These beasts won't stop until they've completely consumed you. And your valuable abilities? He gave the mark on my arm a sharp look, the radiance turning to a lifeless pulse. "This place won't hold them for very long. You are already becoming weake His remarks were uncomfortably near to the truth. The burn from the mark was getting colder, and I could feel the energy leaving me. I gulped forcefully, my thoughts racing. He was correct; we had no other choice than to live in a world that warped reality itsel I noticed the glint of concern in Sebastian's eyes as I turned to face him. I said in a barely audible whisper, "We might not have a choice He gripped his blade tighter and shook his head. "No, Evelyn. Not with him. He is untrustworth Archer's smug, angry grin reappeared. Yes, but you can rely on me. After all, for once, our objectives might coincid I forced down the disgust that twisted in my stomach as I met Archer's gaze. "What would you like in return for assisting us For the first time, his face became serious as he raised an eyebrow. "Easy. I'd like the key. The one that your mark is concealin My breath caught as I froze. The ancient relic that tied my destiny to this doomed prophecy was the key. The one thing that might throw realms off balance. Using all of my strength to protect it from individuals like him, I had concealed it deep within the magic of my mar Sebastian's tone was piercing. "Definitely not. No, that is not possibl Despite Sebastian's objections, Archer's gaze stayed on me. "Evelyn, think carefully. You will perish here without my assistance. Additionally, your priceless key will pass away with you. But I can get you out if you give it to me. I can offer you another chance at fightin The ramifications of what he said lingered in the air. My thoughts were racing as I considered the dangers and the tenuous hope he held out to us. But one thing was clear to me: I couldn't trust him at all. But amid a sea of darkness, his offer was the only thing that kept them aliv Sebastian's fingers touched my arm and drew me back. "Don't, Evelyn. The first chance he gets, he will betray u But as I looked into Sebastian's eyes, the gravity of our predicament made my heart sink. "Time is of the essence. Additionally, we are losing strengt Archer noticed my uncertainty and his smile sharpened. "Evelyn, tick tock. What will it b With a knot in my breast from shame, I made myself turn my head away from Sebastian. Whatever the outcome, I was responsible for my choice. "You'll get us out of here safely if I give you the key Archer's eyes gleamed with contentment. "Obviously. After all, I am a man of my wor Sebastian grabbed my shoulder and muttered a swear. "Avoid doing this. He will only use the key to further his own interests, thus we cannot trust hi With my choice solidifying in my thoughts, I withdrew from his hold. Sebastian, I understand. However, I am also aware that we will not survive this situation if we do not take this chanc Archer crossed his arms and watched our discussion with barely concealed delight. “Evelyn, I’m waiting. You know, the Unseen Realm's strength is limite I raised my palm to the mark on my arm and inhaled deeply. I felt the energy of the key respond to my touch as I concentrated on the magic's internal pulse. As though aware of the danger I was about to expose it to, it flashed, a reluctant brightnes Archer's eyes become piercing, glimmering with want. He stepped forward, his shadow extending across the space between us. "Well done, Evelyn However, Sebastian reacted faster than I had ever seen and slashed his blade through the air in Archer's direction before I could release the force. With an irritated face, the traitor twisted out of the way. Sebastian, do you still believe you can defeat m Archer's shape shifted like smoke, blurring, and suddenly he was behind Sebastian, pressing a dark blade to his throat. I froze as Sebastian's eyes met mine, fear tearing at my breas With a dangerously low voice, Archer said, "Evelyn, don't force me to do something I'll regret." "You have run out of time My mark throbbed with desperation as my hands trembled. The key would fall into his hands if I let it go now. But Sebastian would lose his life if I waited any longe "Stop!" I yelled, my voice breaking under the pressure of the situation. "I'll carry it out. I'll hand over the key. Simply release hi Archer smiled back, cruelly satisfied. He let go of Sebastian, who staggered back, his face displaying a mixture of despair and anger. Purring, Archer said, "Good girl." "Now, carry out your half of the agreement I felt the energy change and refocused on the mark, getting ready to pull out the key. However, a seed of doubt germinated deep within me. What would happen to the world we had worked so hard to defend if I handed him the ke The key's brightness intensified beneath my skin as the power rushed through my veins. I sensed its warmth, the age-old magic churning within me, waiting to spring u Archer took a step forward, staring at the light. "That's it. A bit extra, pleas However, a ripple that sliced through the fabric of the Unseen Realm caused something to stir in the darkness before I could finish the spell. The shadows themselves appeared to recoil, and Archer's smile wavered as his eyes widened in surpris He began, "What—?" but a familiar, piercing voice broke through the gloo "Enough of that, Evelyn. Keep your distance from hi As I turned to the direction of the voice, I saw a face I never imagined seeing again emerge from the darknes Chapter A Deal With Darkne Power hummed through the air like an untuned frequency. As my mind struggled to cope with the weird pressure of the Unseen Realm, it reeled. With strained breaths, Sebastian leaned hard on me. Every shadow appeared to move and twist, as if a thousand eyes were seeing everything we d The man in front of us was so captivating that I couldn't look away. As he stood on the brink of night, a smug smile spread across his face. A mocking, icy glow that made my skin crawl. Archer, the traitor who had almost ruined everything we had battled for, was someone I immediately kne "Archer." My hand tightened around the mark that still charred my skin as I spat his name like a curs He bowed slowly and mockingly, extending one arm as though he were a deranged courtier. "Evelyn. Sebastian. What a pleasant surpris Sebastian gritted his teeth and straightened. "Archer, this isn't a social call. What are you looking fo Archer's eyes sparkled with laughter as his grin grew. It's not me who doesn't belong here. It was you who inadvertently entered *my* territor With my eyes narrowed, I stepped forward. "Archer, don't act like you're in charge of this. With or without your assistance, we'll figure out a solutio The sound of his laughter was low and icy. Evelyn, I believe you have a misunderstanding. You can't go until I *permit* it. I can control the Unseen Realm. Additionally, you are trespasser Despite the uneasiness in my gut, I made myself look him in the eye. "So, what do you want? How much does it cos Something sinister took the place of Archer's smile. He took a step closer, engulfing the dim light with his shadow that stretched across the floor. "Oh, Evelyn, I believe you understand what I want. I have been anticipating this moment—waiting for you to recognize your desperatio Sebastian's face hardened as he tried to block my passage. "Your assistance is not required. We'll figure something ou Archer let out a scathing laugh. Sebastian, you don't have time for that. These beasts won't stop until they've completely consumed you. And your valuable abilities? He gave the mark on my arm a sharp look, the radiance turning to a lifeless pulse. "This place won't hold them for very long. You are already becoming weake His remarks were uncomfortably near to the truth. The burn from the mark was getting colder, and I could feel the energy leaving me. I gulped forcefully, my thoughts racing. He was correct; we had no other choice than to live in a world that warped reality itsel I noticed the glint of concern in Sebastian's eyes as I turned to face him. I said in a barely audible whisper, "We might not have a choice He gripped his blade tighter and shook his head. "No, Evelyn. Not with him. He is untrustworth Archer's smug, angry grin reappeared. Yes, but you can rely on me. After all, for once, our objectives might coincid I forced down the disgust that twisted in my stomach as I met Archer's gaze. "What would you like in return for assisting us For the first time, his face became serious as he raised an eyebrow. "Easy. I'd like the key. The one that your mark is concealin My breath caught as I froze. The ancient relic that tied my destiny to this doomed prophecy was the key. The one thing that might throw realms off balance. Using all of my strength to protect it from individuals like him, I had concealed it deep within the magic of my mar Sebastian's tone was piercing. "Definitely not. No, that is not possibl Despite Sebastian's objections, Archer's gaze stayed on me. "Evelyn, think carefully. You will perish here without my assistance. Additionally, your priceless key will pass away with you. But I can get you out if you give it to me. I can offer you another chance at fightin The ramifications of what he said lingered in the air. My thoughts were racing as I considered the dangers and the tenuous hope he held out to us. But one thing was clear to me: I couldn't trust him at all. But amid a sea of darkness, his offer was the only thing that kept them aliv Sebastian's fingers touched my arm and drew me back. "Don't, Evelyn. The first chance he gets, he will betray u But as I looked into Sebastian's eyes, the gravity of our predicament made my heart sink. "Time is of the essence. Additionally, we are losing strengt Archer noticed my uncertainty and his smile sharpened. "Evelyn, tick tock. What will it b With a knot in my breast from shame, I made myself turn my head away from Sebastian. Whatever the outcome, I was responsible for my choice. "You'll get us out of here safely if I give you the key Archer's eyes gleamed with contentment. "Obviously. After all, I am a man of my wor Sebastian grabbed my shoulder and muttered a swear. "Avoid doing this. He will only use the key to further his own interests, thus we cannot trust hi With my choice solidifying in my thoughts, I withdrew from his hold. Sebastian, I understand. However, I am also aware that we will not survive this situation if we do not take this chanc Archer crossed his arms and watched our discussion with barely concealed delight. “Evelyn, I’m waiting. You know, the Unseen Realm's strength is limite I raised my palm to the mark on my arm and inhaled deeply. I felt the energy of the key respond to my touch as I concentrated on the magic's internal pulse. As though aware of the danger I was about to expose it to, it flashed, a reluctant brightnes Archer's eyes become piercing, glimmering with want. He stepped forward, his shadow extending across the space between us. "Well done, Evelyn However, Sebastian reacted faster than I had ever seen and slashed his blade through the air in Archer's direction before I could release the force. With an irritated face, the traitor twisted out of the way. Sebastian, do you still believe you can defeat m Archer's shape shifted like smoke, blurring, and suddenly he was behind Sebastian, pressing a dark blade to his throat. I froze as Sebastian's eyes met mine, fear tearing at my breas With a dangerously low voice, Archer said, "Evelyn, don't force me to do something I'll regret." "You have run out of time My mark throbbed with desperation as my hands trembled. The key would fall into his hands if I let it go now. But Sebastian would lose his life if I waited any longe "Stop!" I yelled, my voice breaking under the pressure of the situation. "I'll carry it out. I'll hand over the key. Simply release hi Archer smiled back, cruelly satisfied. He let go of Sebastian, who staggered back, his face displaying a mixture of despair and anger. Purring, Archer said, "Good girl." "Now, carry out your half of the agreement I felt the energy change and refocused on the mark, getting ready to pull out the key. However, a seed of doubt germinated deep within me. What would happen to the world we had worked so hard to defend if I handed him the ke The key's brightness intensified beneath my skin as the power rushed through my veins. I sensed its warmth, the age-old magic churning within me, waiting to spring u Archer took a step forward, staring at the light. "That's it. A bit extra, pleas However, a ripple that sliced through the fabric of the Unseen Realm caused something to stir in the darkness before I could finish the spell. The shadows themselves appeared to recoil, and Archer's smile wavered as his eyes widened in surpris He began, "What—?" but a familiar, piercing voice broke through the gloo "Enough of that, Evelyn. Keep your distance from hi As I turned to the direction of the voice, I saw a face I never imagined seeing again emerge from the darknes s.m.m.e.e.p.y?."m.r.."t.e?."s.d.e.m.d.?"e?h.s.e.g.e.k.g.?"e.y.."f.r.t.n.t?s.n.y.r?e.e.w.id.ss 47s.m.m.e.e.p.y?."m.r.."t.e?."s.d.e.m.d.?"e?h.s.e.g.e.k.g.?"e.y.."f.r.t.n.t?s.n.y.r?e.e.w.id.ssrection of the voice, I saw a face I never imagined seeing again emerge from the darkness.