Chapter 44: And Hate the Idle Pleasures

The bullet slammed into Etzli's chest, knocking her out of the bed.

Paras's dagger clattered and skipped across the floor.

Benja pressed his hand against the wall. With tears in his eyes, he shook his head over and over.

"I'm so sorry, Etzli. This was the only way. I couldn't risk you losing control."

Benja stared at his pistol, gold-plated with bone-white grips. It had been given to him when he earned his place as an Outranger.

He wanted to rip his hair out by the roots. He wanted to shoot himself next. He wanted to run away and not look back. But he couldn't go anywhere. He needed to make sure she was dead, and the monster gone with her.

It was the only way to truly save Etzli's soul.

Something shifted behind the bed, where Etzli had fallen. It wasn't her.

Benja's breath caught in his throat.

The monster rose up. Its shadowy, horned head nearly touched the ceiling.