Winter Fire (The Witchling #3)(28)

Light failed to penetrate one corner of her living room. Her gaze lingered. The shadows reminded her of the Darkness that trailed Decker wherever he went.

“Who are you?”

A friend.

Dawn started towards the door. She felt foolish talking to herself then scared when someone answered.

Do you want Beck or not?

Dawn stopped.

I can help you get him back. Or destroy him. It’s up to you.

“How?” she asked without turning.

The room grew colder. She shivered despite her coat.

Thus far, your planning and execution have been inconsistent. If you want him to feel your pain, to suffer as you do, you need my help. You must hit him where it counts.

“I’ve tried that,” she replied.

Every Dark Master has a Light counterbalance.

“That bitch Summer.”

Exactly. Every Light Master has one, too.

Dawn turned, interested. Her hopes soared once more, and she waited for it to speak again. Maybe, all she had to do was tell Beck she was his, and he’d stop being such an idiot about everything.

It’s not you.

Fury filled her. Dawn flung her purse across the room.

“Get out of here!” she snarled, glaring into the corner.

But …

She waited, fuming.

But you can remove his from his life and increase your chances of convincing him to return to you. You don’t have a shot otherwise.

“Why isn’t it me? I deserve to be with him!” she snapped.

Are you willing to do what it takes to be with him?

“I’ve been trying for months now,” she replied. “Like you have any better ideas? I took out his last girlfriend and tried to get rid of Summer, so Decker would destroy him. Nothing works! I’m stuck in court all the time about the damn kid and now the cops are involved because Alexa just had to kill Tanya!”

Your mistake is that you lack conviction.

“Conviction!” Dawn wanted to scream. How much more conviction did she need? She’d gone Dark in the process and almost got herself killed! Hell, she’d slept with Decker when he was going crazy without Summer to figure out how to manipulate him, too, and recently, seduced multiple Light and Dark witchlings to keep an eye on Beck.

Since Sonya walked away from her, Dawn had lost her spy and friend among the Light witchlings. She paused, saddened by the thought of losing her best friend. She and Sonya had arrived at the boarding school together, four years ago.

She betrayed you to Beck.

“I know,” Dawn said, hardening. “She’s a bitch. Just like everyone else.”

Beck will betray you one final time, too. He will order Decker to kill you after the baby is born.

Dawn didn’t want to think about it. She doubted Beck had the balls to do something like that, but Decker … he hated her, which was all Summer’s fault. Decker would do it whether or not Beck wanted him to.

Dawn rubbed her belly instinctively. She was disposable to the Turner twins, once she gave birth. She’d never meant anything to Beck. He could love her baby, but not her. Worst of all, he’d take her baby and toss her aside. Like she was nothing.

So I ask again: are you willing to do what it takes?

“Who are you?” she repeated.

You may know me as Bartholomew.

Dawn gasped. “The Terrible!”

Not so terrible, if you knew the truth. I, too, lost someone I loved. It’s what drove me mad. I think you understand this feeling.

She considered. Nothing good was said in their history classes about how Bartholomew-the-Terrible had indiscriminately slaughtered witchlings and humans alike. The third Master of Dark in the Turner’s bloodline, Bartholomew nearly unleashed the Darkness upon the world.

“I do. But I don’t think we have the same view on things,” she said carefully.

I know things you don’t, like how to hide from the Dark Master. How to spot the woman who is meant for Beck, so you can get rid of her. How to use Dark magick to seduce, influence, and control those around you. How to destroy Beck, if that’s what you choose to do. I can teach you, and you can get your revenge and keep your daughter.

Dawn was quiet for a moment, intrigued by the idea that there was a way to hide from Decker. If true, she wouldn’t have to worry about the Laws or what happened to her after the baby was born.

“What do you want in return?” she asked.

Two things. There is something at the Light Campus I need, something I thought was destroyed long ago. I sensed it arrive recently, but cannot take it myself.

“What is it?”

If you agree, I will tell you. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

“Sounds simple. What’s the second condition?”

You must invite me into your body. I can only do these things, and claim what I seek, if we are one.

“Hmmm,” she said. “When it’s over, you’ll leave?”

If you wish it.

“My baby won’t be hurt?”

Your baby will be fine.

Dawn hesitated. He was offering her everything she ever wanted. He was right. Her own efforts up until now had failed to do anything except get her into more trouble. She needed the help, especially if she planned to live to see her daughter grow up.

What is your decision?

She looked into the corner again, queasy despite her desire for revenge.