Fate was nothing to be feared. Not when it was something you made yourself. Not when you controlled it. Just like I controlled his.

The man dangling from the chains took his last strained breath. His blood pooled on the stone floor. As his body relaxed, a sickening crunch sounded as his shoulders snapped out of place from his contorted position—one specifically designed to inflict enough pain to keep him awake and alert. His arms twisted up behind him with a rattle of rusted chains.

In this room, I could release myself, the part I kept locked up inside me. When I brought my prey here to extract information from them, I shut out what little humanity I had left. And now that my last catch had finally given up what meager information he did have, I allowed him the mercy of death.

Shame it had to end so soon.

It was probably for the best. I had been here for hours, and I knew it had to be dark by now.

“Rydja.” I cast the clearing spell with a wave of my hand—the pieces of skin and muscle and the blood on the floor and walls began to disappear. The body would remain. Someone else could deal with it—or let it rot in here for all I cared.

Spinning on my heel, I yanked the door of the Vord cell open and left the room. A waft of fresh air made me realize what a repugnant smell I had created in the chamber. Of all the events that happened in this room, the scent was the only part I detested.

There was only one scent I wanted. One so sweet and intoxicating, it made a pleased shiver run down my spine just thinking about it.

My lips spread into a smile as I thought of my reward waiting for me. But that would come later. I would retire for the night— I would be nothing less than fully rested and prepared for the prey that awaited me tomorrow. I had one more hunt to complete. Then I could have my reward.