Chapter 3: GOBLIN’S HOLLOW
The poison still burned in Reed’s veins.
Three days had passed since the assassination attempt. He drifted in and out of consciousness, fevered and shivering. Every breath felt like breathing fire. His body fought the goblin blood Shia had forced into his dying veins. It was unnatural—taboo. But it kept him alive.
When he finally woke fully, it was night. The crumbling stone of the keep pressed down like a tomb. Shia sat beside him, eyes glowing faintly in the dark.
"You live," she said. Not relief. Just fact.
"What did you do to me?" he rasped.
She didn’t flinch. "I broke the law to save you."
"What law?"
"Heroes cannot alter their lords. It is forbidden to mix blood. Especially goblin blood. It changes you."
Reed tried to sit up. Pain flared.
"Changes how?"
Shia leaned close. Her breath was warm, metallic. "You’re no longer fully human."