Chapter 10 : The Pact Deepens
Elias jolted awake to the sensation of being slowly, methodically punched in the soul.
Not literally. Probably. But that was how it felt.
A deep, throbbing ache pulsed in the center of his chest—radiating outward like some overeager curse had decided to take up knitting and started stitching his nerves into a scarf.
He groaned, rolling onto his side. "Why does my everything hurt?"
His hand instinctively clutched his left palm.
The contract mark glowed.
Again.
He stared at it through half-lidded eyes. The runes shimmered with a dull red hue, faintly pulsing in time with something that definitely wasn't his heartbeat.
"Okay. Not ominous at all," he muttered.
From across the room, a sleepy voice mumbled, "Uncle Elias...?"
Rhea sat up on the little cot beside his, hair sticking out in all directions like she'd been electrocuted by affection. She rubbed her eyes, blinking blearily.