en more grotesque, a n

politician, a man whose vote could swing a cruci

ed, just days before a major race that meant everything t

w an opp

e room I now occupied, his face

ed. We're going o

asked, my

ow this is big. This cou

ent stable, the air thick with the

lay the still form of a

wrung his hands. "It's a disaster, Caldwell.

the shoulder, a preda

tle... miracle worker here." He gestured t

. "Ethan, no. You

my gift, my life-m

ho

busine

voice low and dangerous when the po

y voice trembling but firm. "I

fingers digging into my skin, the skin that no l

ically drag me tow

tching, a greedy, hop

o perform my sacred, draining ritual for a beast,

aking point. Somethi

d my arm free,

nded, raw with all the pain and

king. "Do you understand? It's finished! All nine sta

arm, thrusting it towa

face, his expression shifting from

ou're just trying to get out

, then annoyed. "What is this,

ncing on me. "You will

. Only an endless cycle of

g suppressed, f

free of him, I wou

into the manicured grounds of the pol

uting behind me,

s. Roarin

nto the path of

to reclaim myself, even