I let out a rough gasp when golden threads burst from the edges of the shard like iridescent yarn. Hands on the prince, I began to stitch it in place, sinking the piece deeper toward his breastbone under the blood, the sinews, and torn muscle.

I stitched the strands until darkness pulled me away.

Fear did not come when black water dripped down the rotted walls of the space.

Soon, Edvin’s form glowed with his frantic steps, and Kael’s gilded body didn’t move, a silent observer, but his arms were folded in a way that had me convinced he was gnawing on the nail of his thumb. On the opposite side of the bed, a glowing Hilda and Emi had taken up the positions of Kael and Edvin, likely manipulating any broken bones on the prince while I melded.

Silky shadows draped over my shoulders. Cold and smoke filled my lungs.

He was there. I didn’t need to turn around to know it. I ignored the ominous presence of whatever piece of Skul Drek stood at my back.

Was he like me? Able to slip into this plane when soul bones were used? Was he a true demon, a spectral sent by cruel gods?

“I don’t know how you cross realms. I don’t know if you’re a melder—”

The shadow hissed in disgust.

“It doesn’t matter,” I went on, voice rough. “But you attacked a good man. A kind man.”

My fingers worked quickly, securing the soul bone against Thane’s chest. When all the stitches were placed, I cupped both palms over the top, embracing the heat under my skin. The bones brightened as the edges grew molten, fusing into Prince Thane’s natural bone.

I sat back on my knees once the heat faded, glaring over my shoulder.

Red eyes were buried under the misty cowl, but bits of his gray skin were visible, not so shielded. His golden rope, which disappeared into the distance, was tattered and weak.

But the new strand that fashioned between us during the rank melding was thicker and stronger.

I looked away from the unwanted golden rope tying me to a monster, more vengeful than afraid. “Why him? He does not have craft and he isn’t selfish or cruel. The prince is no threat to you.”

Billows of darkness rolled over Skul Drek’s shoulders in greater swells, and I was beginning to think the heaviness of his shadows was his only tell of emotion, a source of feeling. Cruel or gentle, I couldn’t know. He’d left me in peace to work, but still studied me like he craved the sight of my blood.

“Four souls were stolen, four souls must take their place. It is not a matter of choice, but purpose.” There was tension in the rasp of Skul Drek’s voice, like he spoke through his teeth.